Technologie- und Förderzentrum im Kompetenzzentrum für Nachwachsende Rohstoffe (TFZ)

What Technologie- und Förderzentrum im Kompetenzzentrum für Nachwachsende Rohstoffe (TFZ) does

Technologie- und Förderzentrum im Kompetenzzentrum für Nachwachsende Rohstoffe (TFZ) is a Bavarian state research institution founded in 1973 and headquartered at Schulgasse 18 in Straubing, Germany. Operating under the Bavarian State Ministry for Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Tourism (StMELF), TFZ conducts applied research across six core areas: energy and raw material crops, biogenic solid fuels, renewable fuels, renewable materials, ethics and acceptance, and environmental assessment. The institution employs approximately 28 multidisciplinary scientists and collaborates with peer Bavarian agencies (LfL, LWG, Bayerische Staatsgüter), federal partners (Thünen-Institut, KTBL), and academic institutions (TU Munich, Hochschule Weihenstephan-Triesdorf) within the KoNaRo campus alongside C.A.R.M.E.N. e.V. and TUM Science Center Straubing.

TFZ's deliverables span research outputs, practitioner tools, public exhibitions, and advisory programs. Notable proprietary outputs include the award-winning sprayable silage cover from renewable raw materials (EuroTier 2018 Innovation Gold Medal), the Alberto online calculator launched in May 2026 to compare the economics and GHG impact of HVO, biodiesel, rapeseed oil, biomethane, and electric drives in agricultural machinery, and a 2026 practitioner guide for drone-based weed detection. Knowledge transfer is delivered through the NAWAREUM interactive museum opened in March 2023, a ~300 m² permanent exhibition on renewable raw materials, an 80+ system biomass heating exhibition, the LandSchafftEnergie advisory program, the monthly 'Nachwachsende Rohstoffe im Fokus' newsletter, and recurring presence at Agritechnica, EuroTier, and TFZ field days. Funding flows primarily through the Bavarian state budget with co-financing from third-party project grants; the institution is non-commercial, providing research, consultation, publications, and exhibitions largely free of charge to Bavarian farmers, policymakers, and the general public.

Name

Technologie- und Förderzentrum im Kompetenzzentrum für Nachwachsende Rohstoffe (TFZ)

Legal name

Technologie- und Förderzentrum im Kompetenzzentrum für Nachwachsende Rohstoffe (TFZ)

Website

https://tfz.bayern.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1973

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

TFZ is a Bavarian state applied-research institution under StMELF, founded 1973 and based in Straubing, conducting R&D on renewable raw materials, bioenergy, and agricultural technology for Bavarian farmers, policymakers, and the public.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Agricultural Research Services

NAICS

Scientific Research and Development Services (5417), Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (54171), Engineering Services (541330), Testing Laboratories and Services (541380)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Services-Testing Laboratories (8734)

akta.pro primary industry

Biofuel Plant EPC, O&M & Process Technology Providers (EUAAAHAK)

akta.pro secondary industry

Scientific & Laboratory Reference (Chemistry, Biology, Physics; Methods & Protocols) (EDAGAGAG)

Keywords

• Renewable raw materials research
• Bioenergy research
• Agricultural technology
• Biomass heating systems
• Renewable fuel consulting

Headquarters

HQ city

Straubing

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Bavarian State Government Funding: As a public research institution under the Bavarian State Ministry for Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Tourism (StMELF), TFZ operates primarily through government funding. Research projects are financed through the Bavarian State Ministry, with additional third-party funding (Drittmittel) from various programs.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels12 records

Core offering

TFZ is a Bavarian state research institution that conducts applied research on renewable raw materials (nachwachsende Rohstoffe), bioenergy, biogenic solid fuels, renewable fuels, renewable materials, ethics and acceptance, environmental assessment, and agricultural technology innovation. It delivers its findings through scientific publications, expert consultation, online tools (e.g. the Alberto fuel calculator), permanent exhibitions, field days, and a science museum (NAWAREUM). The institution also manages funding programs such as BioWärme Bayern to support biomass heating in Bavaria.

Product overview

TFZ operates as a unified research and knowledge-transfer institution rather than a commercial product company. Its offerings span online tools (Alberto online calculator), permanent and traveling exhibitions (biomass heating exhibition, renewable raw materials exhibition), advisory programs (LandSchafftEnergie), a science museum (NAWAREUM), funding programs (BioWärme Bayern), and scientific publications. The institution also conducts extensive research projects including the sprayable silage cover, drone-based crop protection, and renewable fuel technologies, with results disseminated through a monthly newsletter and project database.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• LandSchafftEnergie: A program/initiative under TFZ focused on renewable energy transfer and consultation for agriculture.

Products and services

• Alberto Online-Kraftstoffrechner (Online Fuel Calculator) An online tool that helps farmers and agricultural businesses compare the cost-effectiveness and greenhouse gas emissions of HVO, biodiesel, rapeseed oil, biomethane, and electric drives for agricultural machinery.
• Nachwachsende Rohstoffe im Fokus (TFZ Newsletter) Monthly newsletter covering latest TFZ research activities, current news, publications, events, and job postings, distributed to agricultural sector subscribers.
• Dauerausstellung Biomasseheizungen (Permanent Biomass Heating Exhibition) Permanent exhibition featuring over 80 wood central heating systems from various manufacturers, including log wood, pellet, and wood chip heating systems, hybrid plants, buffer storage, and dust separators, open to visitors and groups by appointment.
• Nachwachsende Rohstoffe – Von der Pflanze zur Nutzung (Permanent Exhibition) Approximately 300 m² permanent exhibition providing a comprehensive overview of work focus areas at the Competence Centre for Renewable Raw Materials, showcasing plants, products, and technologies from the field of biomass.
• Aufspritzbare Silageabdeckung (Sprayable Silage Cover) Research-developed sprayable, self-hardening cover material made from renewable raw materials for sealing silage, replacing conventional plastic films with a biodegradable, feedable alternative. Two liquid components are mixed and sprayed onto silage, hardening into an airtight protective layer usable as biogas substrate.
• NAWAREUM (Science Center / Museum) Hands-on museum in Straubing dedicated to renewable raw materials and renewable energies, offering visitors an interactive experience of the bioeconomy value chain.
• LandSchafftEnergie (Advisory Program) Advisory program providing consultation on energy transition in agriculture, promoting renewable energies and sustainable practices for farmers and agricultural businesses.
• BioWärme Bayern (Funding Program for Biomass Heating Plants)

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 100,000 operating hours documented for renewable fuel tractors demonstrating reliability
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Thünen-Institut (TI)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2026Collaborative partnership in the THeKLa2 (THeKLa-Netzwerk) project focusing on climate protection in agriculture. The expert network combines consultation, science, and practice for knowledge transfer to policy, harmonization of GHG accounting methods, and implementation of practical solutions.
• Kuratorium für Technik und Bauwesen in der Landwirtschaft (KTBL)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2026Collaborates with TFZ in the THeKLa2 network for climate protection in agriculture, supporting knowledge exchange and practical solution development for the agricultural sector.
• Bayerische Landesanstalt für Landwirtschaft (LfL)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-term collaboration partner for numerous projects including silage cover development (2009-2011), tractor alternative drive research, and agricultural innovation demonstrations across Bavarian state farms.
• Wissenschaftszentrum Straubing (WZS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated on further development of silage cover using renewable raw materials (2012-2014) along with multiple joint research initiatives in the bioeconomy sector.
• Hochschule Weihenstephan-TriesdorfminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner in silage cover research project, contributing expertise in analytical and organic chemistry.
• Technische Universität München (TUM)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner in silage cover development project, providing expertise in biogenic polymers.
• Bayerische StaatsgütercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState-owned agricultural enterprises serving as demonstration sites for renewable drive systems in agricultural machinery, hosting rapeseed oil tractors and alternative fuel tests since 2018.
• Bayerische Landesanstalt für Wein- und Gartenbau (LWG)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborating institution in KlimaTrak project testing renewable drive systems including biodiesel tractors for viticulture and horticulture applications.
• C.A.R.M.E.N. e.V.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-located in the KoNaRo complex, provides joint exhibition tours and collaborative projects in renewable raw materials and bioenergy.
• TUM Centrum für Energiespeicherung (TUMCS)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocated in the KoNaRo complex, participates in joint exhibition tours and collaborative research initiatives.
• Team Energiewende BayernminorGTM or Marketing PartnerTFZ is a member of Team Energiewende Bayern, working with multiple partners to promote sustainable energy future in Bavaria.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Market position

Strengths4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCcv-wyjsGVhRsOYEPRwrDZw
• Facebookfacebook.com/Land.Schafft.Bayern
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/technologie-und-f%C3%B6rderzentrum-im-kompetenzzentrum-f%C3%BCr-nachwachsende-rohstoffe-tfz
• Instagraminstagram.com/Land.Schafft.Bayern

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Technologie- und Förderzentrum im Kompetenzzentrum für Nachwachsende Rohstoffe (TFZ)