Dear members,

Please find below an overview of activities carried out by European Bioplastics throughout June 2022.

Regulatory Affairs (WG REGA)

The WG REGA met virtually on 14 June to discuss EU policy developments impacting business operations.

Members started the discussion with an update on the timing for the publication of the policy proposals. According to latest information from the EU Commission, the legislative proposal for the revision of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive (PPWD), as well as the Policy framework for bio-based, biodegradable and compostable plastics will be delayed to Q4 2022 (last information from DG ENV confirms that the proposals will be published on 16 November 2022).

Furthermore, members were informed that EUBP finalised the letter to be sent to the Cabinets of EU Commissioners and Executive Vice-President Timmermans. The revised text includes several amendments and comments made by members as well as a note on the recently published Bioeconomy Progress Report (June 2022). A couple of additional suggestions were made, including to add waste as renewable resource. The letter was sent to the Cabinets of EU Commissioners on 29 June 2022.

With regards to the policy framework for bio-based, biodegradable and compostable plastics, REGA WG members were informed that according to preliminary information, the Commission will propose a minimum 50% bio-based content for products to be labelled as bio-based products. In addition, the following information was presented:

• Strong focus on concerns with regards to bio-based plastics being in competition for land used to grow biomass for food (considering the war in Ukraine).
• Focus on communication with consumers, incl. a proposed monitoring of the “evolution of green claims” to be laid out in the Green Claims initiative (expected in July 2022), which is also expected to include specific requirements on claims for bio-based, biodegradable, and compostable plastics
• Sustainability criteria to be aligned with RED criteria and include a requirement for lower GHG emissions than their fossil counterparts,
• EC proposal on microplastics will exempt biodegradable plastics (if they fulfil specific biodegradability criteria)
• Best method to compare bio-based vs. fossil-based plastics is the JRC LCA methodology
• Recyclates to be prioritised over virgin feedstock for both bio-based and fossil-based plastics

During the EUBP networking event which took place on 22 June in Brussels, Ms. Emmanuelle Maire, Head of Unit in DG ENV and leading the work on the policy framework, engaged in bilateral discussions with EUBP members and provided an outlook for the policy which will be unveiled in November.

Another priority for EUBP is the revision of the Waste Framework Directive (WFD). In this regard, the EU Commission launched a public consultation which is open until 16 August. EUBP will prepare a first draft response which highlights the role of compostable plastics in tackling food waste and meet recycling targets. The draft will be shared with REGA by the end of June/ first week of July for feedback.

With regards to the JRC report “assessment of definition of recycling”, EUBP had sent feedback to the JRC survey on 5 May, following the workshop presenting the report “Assessment of the definition of recycling” on 7 April. The workshop confirmed that we are still up against the usual widespread misconceptions on compostable plastics having a negative impact on mechanical recycling streams. EUBP followed up with JRC to request a meeting to clarify these misconceptions and a meeting took place on 14 June. During this meeting, the JRC was open to receive more feedback from EUBP, notably with regards to data on the share of bio-based, biodegradable and compostable plastics available on the EU market, as well as production capacities in Europe. However, JRC did not engage in any discussions regarding the claims and allegations vis-a-vis our sectors.

Among other top priorities within the REGA WG, the position paper on the revision of the PPWD was finalised and circulated to key policy makers on 15 June. EUBP also joined forces with EUROPEN and other organisations and co-signed a position paper on “Recycling packaging in practice”. The joint industry position paper was sent to key stakeholders but not made public. Among the policy asks with regards to the PPWD revision, both position papers were against a mandatory recyclability threshold of 95% for packaging, while asking that the EU Commission includes compostability under the definition of recyclability.

In order to step up our proactive advocacy campaign prior to the official publication of the legislative proposal for the PPWD, the EUBP team has reached out to a series of Members of the EU Parliament to explore the possibility of organising a workshop or a lunch debate in the EU Parliament to discuss the role of bio-based, biodegradable and compostable plastics in the circular economy and their potential for the packaging sector.

Sustainable Product Initiative/ ESPR – Draft EUBP feedback


EUBP submitted its response to the Commission Call for Feedback on the proposal for the adoption of the Ecodesign Regulation for Sustainable Products Production (ESPR) as part of the SPI package. Main concerns raised in EUBP’s response revolve around the proposed Digital Product Passport (IP concerns), the use of LCA as the “best tool” to evaluate sustainability and environmental performance, and the proposal on recyclability of products.

The rapporteur on the ESPR in the EU Parliament is MEP Simona Bonafe for ENVI, ITRE rapporteur is MEP Maria Spyraki, and IMCO rapporteur is MEP Biljana Borzan. EUBP reached out to them to request a meeting. A meeting with MEP Simona Bonafe has been confirmed for July.

EU Bioeconomy Strategy Progress Report


The Commission’s EU Bioeconomy Strategy Progress Report, published on 9 June, recognises the role of bio-based plastics as contributing to climate change mitigation and the overall objectives of the Green Deal. At the same time, the report acknowledges the fact that current policies and regulatory framework are not necessarily providing the required pull for bio-based products and innovations as well as a level playing field for all bio-based sectors. Additionally, the report provides important new data on land-use, amplifying that bioplastics really make up a negligible fraction of the land used to produce biomass. On 24 June, EUBP attended a meeting with DG RTD (Adrian Leip) jointly with the European Bioeconomy Alliance (EUBA) to discuss the outcome of the report and the upcoming Bioeconomy Forum to be held in October 2022 in Brussels.

LCA method for alternative feedstock for plastics production – An update 


EUBP held a meeting with DG RTD (HoU Pavel MISIGA and DHoU Petra GOYENS) on 21 June. EUBP used this meeting to raise concerns about the use of JRC’s LCA method as preferred option in upcoming EU legislation and the expected negative impact on our sector, the impact on R&D and innovation, and the resulting lack of incentives to switch to bio-based resources. EC representatives had a very positive attitude with regards to bio-based, biodegradable and compostable plastics and acknowledged that the LCA method must be fit for purpose, and that if there are any concerns, maybe the method can be revised. It was agreed that EUBP will send further input to DG RTD and a follow up meeting will be organised in autumn with DG ENV, DG RTD, JRC and EUBP.

PEF – Product Environmental Footprint method

EUBP is leading a coalition with BioChem Europe, Plastics Europe, HARRPA and APAG to highlight to the EU Commission that the current PEF methodology is not fit for purpose as it fails to accurately account for the biogenic carbon uptake. The joint industry position paper on PEF is finalised, with the existing coalition looking to expand to a larger number of signatories. EUBP presented the position paper in a meeting with the EUBA alliance, asking for support. The purpose is to start already disseminating the paper to key policy makers and officially publish it end of summer/ early September. Additionally, the coalition agreed to publish an article in Politico, promoting the position paper.

The next meeting of the REGA WG will take place on the 26th of July, in virtual mode. The next physical meeting will be in October in Brussels.

For further detailed information on the work of the WG Regulatory Affairs, please refer to the slides and minutes of the last meeting and contact Maria Negut (negut@european-bioplastics.org) or Katrin Schwede (schwede@european-bioplastics.org). 

BON Europe

The BON Europe group met on 16 June 2022 to update each other on current policy developments on national level.

The group discussed the current draft of the revised Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive on EU level and specific concerns of the draft, including a proposed list (limit) of packaging applications that have to be compostable. It was agreed to activate the BON group to join the advocacy efforts done by EUBP. A joint BON letter will be drafted addressed to the European Commission, highlighting the concerns with the current draft PPWD revision from a Member States’ point of view and to highlight the fact that compostable plastics do neither pose a risk nor are a source of contamination for plastics recycling streams, and that a proposed limiting list of packaging items to be compostable is restricting the market and hampering innovation. And to show that there is a strong interest throughout the Member States in a harmonised policy approach on the rules set out in the PPWD to support and incentivise the use of bio-based and compostable plastic packaging. The EUBP secretariat will prepare the first draft of the joint BON letter for further input.

The group further agreed to start producing specific ‘country fact sheets’ on relevant national regulations, legislation, standardisation, and composting landscape for each of the EU Member States that are represented in BON.

The next BON Europe meeting will take place on 21 July 2022.

For more information regarding BON Europe, please contact Katrin Schwede (schwede@european-bioplastics.org).

Product Groups

Product Group Bio-based

A draft position on mass balance approaches has been developed and shared with the PG in May. A meeting took place with all companies submitting comments on 30 June. The group started going through the commenting table and will continue the work on 12 July.

In a meeting with DG RTD (see REGA), EUBP was asked to provide more data to undermine our points as laid down in the position on the JRC LCA method for the alternative feedstock for plastic production. This needs to be discussed further in the next meeting of the PG. RTD suggested to have a follow-up meeting in autumn.

The next meeting of PG Biobased will take place on 28 July in person in Berlin. Online participation will be made possible.

For further information regarding bio-based plastics, including sustainability issues and the work of the PG and TFs, please contact Constance Ißbrücker (issbruecker@european-bioplastics.org).

Product Group Biodegradables

In agreement with the chairs, a new draft of the position paper on compostable plastics in anaerobic digestion is being developed. The main points should include the increased collection of biowaste when compostable plastics are in place, and the fact that they do not disturb the process of AD because of pre-treatment and/or additional composting step. It should also be made clear that an increased production of biogas (which can be supported by compostable plastics) can positively contribute to the current energy crisis. The new draft will be presented in the next meeting of the PG.

EUBP participated in the stakeholder workshop of the GLAUKOS workshop to give a short presentation on the benefits of soil-biodegradable mulch films and to introduce the Position Paper on microplastics developed in the PG last year.

TF AGRI had a meeting on 29 June to discuss the current draft of the Q&A document on misconceptions and wrong claims on biodegradable agricultural products. The document still needs some more work and fine-tuning. The group also talked about different event formats at which the topic can and needs to be discussed. The next meeting is scheduled for 27 July.

The next meeting of the PG Biodegradables will take place on 13 July, online.

For more information regarding PG Biodegradables, please contact Constance Ißbrücker (issbruecker@european-bioplastics.org).

Working Group Standardisation

Two meetings of CEN/TC 261 SC 4 WG 2 took place in June (17 and 20). The committee continued to discuss comments on the draft revision document of EN 13432. It has also been decided to propose a second voting for FprEN 17428 (disintegration test method under home composting conditions), which has been disapproved in the national voting earlier this year. The amended version will include a test temperature at 25 °C again. The final decision for this will be made in the meeting on 22 July.

The standards specification EN 17427 on home compostable carrier bags will be published in July.

No meetings are currently scheduled for WG Standardisation.

For more information on standards for bioplastics, current standardisation processes, and certification of bioplastics, please contact Constance Ißbrücker (issbruecker@european-bioplastics.org).

Communications

Please find under the following link a selection of relevant media clippings from June 2022 (online).

Throughout the month, Comms responded to several journalist requests including an interview by Bloomberg to gather general information on bioplastics. Furthermore, EUBP Comms coordinated an additional request by Bloomberg to interview an EUBP member company on specific innovations related to bioplastics. EUBP Comms successfully completed the production process for the Annual Report 2021, which was presented to the EUBP members at the General Assembly on 23 June.

On 9 June, EUBP Comms attended a workshop organized by the Institute of Plastics and Circular Economy (IKK) in Hannover. It was the kick-off event for a project that focuses on the German market for bioplastics. Comms represented EUBP in the discussions on the current political environment for bioplastics.

EUBP Comms attended an EUBA meeting (21 June) to discuss the communication around an upcoming paper focusing on the bioeconomy which is expected to be completed by end of June. The supporting consultancy FIPRA will draft a communication strategy by end of July/beginning of August, which will then be revised by the EUBA members.

In the run-up to the EUBP networking event on 22 June, Comms continued to support its promotion. As part of the preparatory activities, Comms also drafted the welcome remarks for the Chairman of the EUBP Board. The event was successfully covered on social media.

EUBP Comms successfully completed the production process for the Annual Report 2021, which was presented to the EUBP members at the General Assembly on 23 June.

In order to further improve EUBP’s external appearance, Comms commissioned a graphic designer to set up a completely new EUBP power point master. According to the agreed schedule, the designer will provide a first draft with several design options by end of July. Based on the chosen design option, he will finalize the master at the beginning of August.

EUBP will support the Bioplastics Week 2022 (13-16 September) organized by the Plastics Industry Association (US Plastics) as official supporting association. On 29 June, a coordination meeting with US Plastics took place to discuss the online campaign and its activities more in detail.

As part of its support for the European Bioplastics Conference 2022, Comms started to approach last year’s media partners as well as potential new partners.

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

Seedling Logo

In June, a document has been shared with the testing labs which gives more detailed advice on the preparation of certain samples for disintegration testing.

The next meeting of the Advisory Board of the Seedling Scheme (ACS) will take place in September.

For more information on the Seedling Logo or the Certification Scheme, please contact Constance Ißbrücker (issbruecker@european-bioplastics.org).

Events

The Networking Event and the Members Meeting took place in Brussels. Around 90 people attended the networking event, and we received very positive feedback about the format of the event.

For the upcoming EUBP annual conference, six sponsors have already been found, and further negotiations are ongoing as well as the promotion for the call for abstracts. First Policy-VIPs have been contacted regarding a presentation and/or panel discussion.

For the K-Fair, the booth-setup has been finalized. EUBP will have a 3D-printer at the booth to create giveaways for the visitors. Furthermore, the planning of short presentations is ongoing.

EUBP is organizing the second EUBP Talk webinar, this time on “soil-biodegradable mulch films”. Possible speakers have been determined and approached.

For more information or questions concerning the annual conference and further EUBP events, please contact Denise Valdix (valdix@european-bioplastics.org or conference@european-bioplastics.org).

Planned activities

Regulatory Affairs:

• Prepare answer to public consultation on WFD/ deadline 16 August 2022
• Finalise EUBA position paper on the benefits of the bioeconomy and non-competition with food and feed production
• Publish and promote the joint industry position paper on PEF: towards an accurate accounting of biogenic carbon in PEF (co-signing with BioChemEurope and Plastics Europe)
• Outreach to MEPs on PPWD and forthcoming policy framework on bio-based, biodegradable, and compostable plastics
• Organise lunch debate/ workshop in the European Parliament
• Next meeting on 26 July 2022 (online)

Communications:

• Update EUBP publications
• New PPT master set up by graphic designer (beginning of August)
• EUBA position paper: draft submitted by FIPRA (end of June)
• Participation Bioplastics Week (13-16 September)

BON Europe:

• Draft joint BON letter to the EU Commission on the industry’s concerns on the current draft of the PPWD revision
• Draft country fact sheets
• Next meeting on 21 July 2022 (online)

PG Biobased:

• Position paper on mass balance approaches (next meeting 12 July)
• Collect information on bio-based additives (TF3)
• TF meetings to be scheduled
• Next meeting PG Biobased 28 July 2022, 10 a.m., in Berlin
  

PG Biodegradables:

• PP Anaerobic Digestion
• Draft Q&A document on soil-biodegradable mulch films (TF Agri)
• Update European Composting Landscape
• Next meeting PG on 13 July 2022, 10 a.m., online

WG Standardisation:

• Monitor revision process EN 13432 and activities in relevant WGs of CEN/TC 249 and 411

Seedling Logo:

• Finalisation of the new version of the CS
• Next meeting in September

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

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