What alternatives to conventional agriculture exist to produce carbohydrates for food and feed? Scientists at Heidelberg University performed model calculations for artificial sugar production with a view towards synthesis of other carbohydrates such as starch. They are looking into whether a part of the human calorie requirement could be met by resource-saving, synthetically produced foods. In their study, Prof. Dr Ulrich Platt and Dr Florian Dinger of the Institute of Environmental Physics take advantage of commercially available technologies to calculate energy use, land area, and costs in an attempt to raise awareness and research interest in these technological options.