Italy’s Bioeconomy Strategy: In November, the Italian government published its Bioeconomy Strategy, which is still open for a public consultation with national stakeholders until 20 December 2016. Italy already has one of the most advanced infrastructures for the separate collection and recycling of organic waste and is a centre of excellence for integrated biorefineries. Now, Italy also has the Bioeconomy Strategy to go with it. It aims to enhance the competitiveness of Italy’s bioeconomy sector and its role in promoting growth in Europe and the Mediterranean basin.
New British standard on the circular economy: The British Standards Institute has released the draft of a guide for businesses on implementing the circular economy – the first of its type in the world. The BS 8001 standard offers guidance and recommendations for organisations of any type, sector, size or location. Rather than containing the technical specifications or codes of practice found in some of the other standards developed by the BSI, this framework standard provides information on the circular economy concept, suggesting steps organisations can take to operate in a more circular way. Consultation opened in November and runs until January 15th.
- Thyssenkrupp commercialises PLAneo® technology: thyssenkrupp Industrial Solutions, a leading provider of engineering, construction and service of industrial plants and systems, developed its own manufacturing process for PLA together with its Germany-based subsidiary Uhde Inventa-Fischer. The company is now building the first commercial plant based on its patented PLAneo® technology in Changchun, China. Once completed, the new plant will produce around 10,000 tons of PLA per year. Commissioning is scheduled for the first quarter of 2018.