Dear members,

Please find below an overview of activities of European Bioplastics throughout June 2020.

Regulatory Affairs (WG REGA)

The European Bioplastics’ Working Group Regulatory Affairs (WG REGA) met on 24 June (online). The meeting started with a short introduction of the new EUBP staff member, Joanna Dupont-Inglis. As new Head of EU Affairs, based in Brussels, she is now in charge of coordinating the working group. Joanna has worked together with European Bioplastics for many years whilst at EuropaBio as Industrial Biotech Director, Deputy Secretary General and Secretary General. She joined the EUBP team at the beginning of June.

The WG discussed the latest leaked version of the SUP guidelines. This version was intended for member state competent authorities and it makes clear that PHAs will be within the scope of the Directive, meaning that they will be prohibited. The group agreed that simply reaching out to DG Environment to voice dissatisfaction would be insufficient. Instead, reaching member states (MS) themselves would be crucial. MS have been asked to provide written comments by 30 June with the additional opportunity to provide oral feedback during a meeting of the waste expert group on 16 July. It was agreed that EUBP would coordinate a date for a call on this topic and would convene a Task Force to work on this issue.

The group also discussed the related Eunomia report and associated actions by EUBP. So far, these included the outreach and feedback to the relevant EU Commission policy officers and a review of scientific institutions willing to counter the conclusions of the report as well as the production of a blog rebuttal article.

The group also agreed to create an additional Task Force to work on a response to the Inception Impact Assessment on the revision of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive’s (PPWD) essential requirements (ERs).

In addition, the WG members addressed the task of compiling input to a written stakeholder consultation on the JRC’s study on comparative LCA of Alternative Feedstock for Plastic Production. Although all efforts had been made to secure an extension for feedback on this report, only an ‘’unofficial’’ one had been granted. This allowed for an additional two weeks until around 12 July. A detailed discussion took place on this topic amongst EUBP members the following day (For more information see chapter “Product Group Bio-based" below). The group also agreed that it would be important that individual member companies fed back their recommendations directly to the consultation before the end of the month deadline.

This was followed by an update on the main developments on the broader political landscape including the Farm to Fork Strategy and the EP’s Own Initiative Report on the Circular Economy. The group also briefly discussed the Plastics Tax noting that BBIA in the UK already has a position which EUBP should take note of. There was a general consensus that renewable content should be considered as equal to recycled content. On the issue of taxonomy, the group also noted that, whilst in the annex, there is a technical screening criteria, saying biomass use should be considered on the same level as mechanical and chemical recycling.

There had been positive feedback on EUBA’s and ACE’s Joint Statement on the Climate Law where the MEPs who had responded positively to this joint activity were also likely to be active in the Own Initiative Report on the Circular Economy Action Plan.

For detailed information on the work of the WG Regulatory Affairs, please contact Joanna Dupont-Inglis (inglis@european-bioplastics.org). The next online meeting will take place on 8 July 2020.

Product Groups

Product Group Bio-based

The PG Bio-based met on 17 June 2020 (web meeting). During the meeting, the three Task Forces (TFs) presented their main areas of work.
TF 1 (Sustainability Evaluation) is currently concerned with the second stakeholder consultation of the JRC study on „Comparative LCA of alternative feedstock for plastics production”. A separate meeting to discuss EUBP’s input was set up for 25 June (see below). A further task of this TF will be to develop graphics on the challenges of LCA for innovative small industries.
TF 2 (End-of-Life) will soon publish the revised fact sheet on mechanical recycling and finalize the one on chemical recycling. The latter topic, being quite dynamic, seems to be seen as “the solution” by many in the recycling industry. During the meeting, key messages for the upcoming revision of the fact sheet on incineration/energy recovery were collected.

TF 3 (Feedstock) presented their current project which is to develop short informative papers on feedstock types used for bioplastics production. During the discussion, valuable input concerning the scope and the content of the paper has been provided. A future paper on the combined benefits of bio-based and recycled content was also discussed.

One topic being of concern for the whole PG was the report on taxonomy by the EU Technical Expert Group on Sustainable Finance. This report defines “sustainable economic activities” and while it puts “bio-based” on an equal level with mechanical and chemical recycling, it contains some shortcomings regarding the demands made on bio-based plastics. It was agreed that EUBP should react to this report and/or engage in further related processes.

On 25 June, TF1 met with additional LCA experts to discuss the latest version of the JRC study on "Comparative LCA assessment of alternative feedstock for plastics production". The group exchanged views on the most important points of criticism and on how and when to provide feedback to the JRC and further addressees.

For more information regarding bio-based plastics including sustainability issues and the work of the PG and TFs, please contact Katharina Hinse (hinse@european-bioplastics.org).

Product Group Biodegradables

The PG Biodegradables held a web meeting on 17 June 2020. Main topics discussed during the meeting were the recent EUNOMIA report “Relevance of Biodegradable and Compostable Consumer Plastic Products and Packaging in a Circular Economy”, a draft paper on claims on biodegradability and compostability, and the upcoming EU study on biodegradability in the open environment.
One result of the discussion was that EUBP should work on establishing a scientific network across Europe, involving scientist with profound knowledge of biodegradation, biodegradable bioplastics and compostability. This network could be used to stand up to reports or statements with detailed knowledge from credible and independent sources.

A further topic was the UK-based “Polymateria”, a company promoting an oxo-like additive, which is actively trying to get involved in standardisation activities in UK and beyond.

Updates were delivered on the ECHA microplastics restriction, a German study on plastics in compost, the status of the standard on home compostable carrier bags and the future update of the EUBP composting landscape.

For more information regarding PG Biodegradables and the TF Marine, please contact Katharina Hinse (hinse@european-bioplastics.org).

Working Group Standardisation

The WG Standardisation met online on 18 June 2020. The main topic was a probably upcoming revision of EN 13432. The WG decided to focus again on its previous work on the standard, working on the text itself, discussing possible changes and amendments. A web meeting is planned for the second half of September. In the meantime, positions shall be drafted concerning the most pressing problems such as biodegradation in anaerobic digestion.

For more information on standards for bioplastics, current standardisation processes, and certification of bioplastics, please contact Katharina Hinse (hinse@european-bioplastics.org).

Communications

Please find under the following link a selection of relevant media clippings from June 2020 (online).

EUBP Comms successfully completed the work on the association’s annual report 2019. This also included the compilation of the annual press review 2019. The annual report was presented during the General Assembly, which took place on 17/18 June 2020.

During the Biopolymer Days (17/18 June), EUBP Comms represented the position of the bioplastics industry in the event’s policy session by giving an overview and assessment of the relevant political processes on the EU level. The presentations were followed by a panel discussion titled “Are Bioplastics only part of the problem or part of the solution?”. Besides, political decision makers from the Austrian Government, the session also included a speaker from the EC/DG ENV.

On 24 June, EUBP Comms attended the online REGA meeting. The intention of the joint meeting was to further deepen the understanding of the relevant political processes on the EU level and further align the EUBP communication activities with the regulatory affairs activities.

EUBP Comms is currently updating the following documents:

• Fact Sheet: What are bioplastics?

During June, EUBP Comms coordinated the responses to several requests by journalists and companies regarding detailed information on different aspects of bioplastics. In preparation of the next WG Comms call at the beginning of September, EUBP Comms started with the development of a draft for the next WG work plan 2021/2022. This included a coordination call with the WG Comms Chair (Paolo La Scola, Novamont).

For more information or questions concerning the communications activities of EUBP, please contact Oliver Buchholz (buchholz@european-bioplastics.org).

Seedling Logo

In June, European Bioplastics received the official certificate of registration for the Seedling logo as a “EU Certification Mark”. This type of registration has been recently created and will make it easier to take legal measures against cases of misuse of the logo.

For more information on the Seedling Logo or the Certification Scheme, please contact Katharina Hinse (hinse@european-bioplastics.org).

Events

Planning the 15^th European Bioplastics Conference, we have sent out the Call for Papers for potential speakers to sign up. The Call for Papers was promoted through the EUBP newsletter and our social media channels (Twitter / LinkedIn). EUBP already received several positive responses as well as requests for a poster presentation.

In order to secure sponsors for this year’s conference, EUBP already initiated first contacts with potential candidates in the industry. Deals for these will however be signed as we go further into 2020.

On 24 June, the BIO-PLASTICS EUROPE project hosted a first online event to form a „European Bioplastics Research Network“. The event focussed on past and current HORIZON 2020 projects in bioplastics research. European Bioplastics gave the key note speech on the important role bioplastics will play in a European Circular Bioeconomy. It was explained how bioplastics can help closing the carbon loop. Additionally, EUBP made clear that there is a need to better align research funding and the recent bioplastics legislation.

For more information regarding the Conference 2020 as well as becoming a speaker, please contact Hannah Heimann (conference@european-bioplastics.org).

Projects

PolyBioSkin (Project month: 37 of 38)

https://www.polybioskin.eu/ (BBI-JU)

By the end of June, the consortium finalized an internal deliverable to report on PolyBioSkin’s value chain and possible exploitation possibilities by the partners (D9.5). Furthermore, the preparation for a virtual training session on 8 July has been initiated. INSTM (University of Pisa), IMT-Mines Alès and European Bioplastics will present results in PolyBioSkin technologies and tests for personal care, cosmetics and biomedical products. This will also include a first overview on the ecologic and economic impacts of PolyBioSkin products (LCA and LCCA) as performed by IMT-Mines Alès.

BIOnTop (Project month: 13 of 48)

https://biontop.eu/ (BBI-JU)

In the first half of June, European Bioplastics teamed up with work package leader ENCO consultancy and work package partners to prepare a full consortium call on 9 June. During a partners meeting (online), the BIOnTop consortium drew a balance of the first project year and discussed the next steps. It was highlighted, as pandemic impacts also caused BIOnTop activities to be slowed down, that ENCO, European Bioplastics and partners will now speed up and support the consortium’s communication and dissemination activities.

Project partnering, other HORIZON 2020 projects and proposal status:

BIO-SPRI, a consortium conducting a study for DG RTD on biorefineries pathways and outlook for deployment, has invited to a second “Biorefineries Tender” web-workshop on 12 June. European Bioplastics has joined as part of the advisory board. The consortium partners E4tech, Wageningen University & Research, iCONS, btg and FNR presented and discussed ongoing work regarding the analysis of barriers and drivers of biorefineries. Additional topics were available and emerging biorefinery technologies and innovation needs, including competing technologies.

Furthermore, European Bioplastics has been active in different promising consortia. In the beginning of June, EUBP elevated its support for a proposal led by a Dutch research institute, dealing with „Micro and nanoplastics in our environment: understanding exposures and effects on human health” [SC1-BHC-36-2020]. In case of success, European Bioplastics will not only be part of the advisory board, but actively support standards and legislation research as full partner.

Among project activities, European Bioplastics teamed up as stakeholder with Scandinavian researchers, who develop a call proposal on plastic in agricultural production („Emerging challenges for soil management” [SFS-21-2020]). EUBP also continued its work on a proposal to “Demonstrate superior bio-based packaging solutions with minimal environmental damage” [BBI2020.SO3.D4]. It will be submitted before the deadline on 3 September.

For more information or requests concerning EUBP’s project involvements, please contact Christian Schulz (schulz@european-bioplastics.org).

Planned activities

WG Regulatory Affairs:

• Monitoring of further developments regarding upcoming studies on
  • EPR fees
  • Biodegradable plastics in a circular economy
  • Biodegradable plastics in agriculture
  • Biodegradable plastics in the environment
• Recommendations SUPD Guidance: Outreach to waste experts
• Inception Impact Assessment for the revision of the PPWD ERs

Communications:

• WG Comms Call (September).

PG Bio-based:

• TF1: Send comments and accompanying letter to JRC
• TF 2: Finalize Fact Sheet on chemical recycling
• TF 3: Develop paper on feedstock types

PG Biodegradables:

• Further develop paper on claims on biodegradability and compostability

If you have any suggestions regarding the content and/or format of our monthly report, please do not hesitate to share them with us.  

This email is sent to all the contacts of our member companies that we have registered in our database. If you would like to share it with further colleagues, kindly send us an email to members@european-bioplastics.org. 

Kind regards,
Hasso v. Pogrell