Dear members,

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

Regulatory Affairs (WG REGA)

The European Bioplastics’ Working Group Regulatory Affairs (WG REGA) met on 22 March.

The meeting focussed on the currently ongoing revision of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive (including Essential Requirements), the proposal of which is expected to be published on 20 July 2022. EUBP had been approached by Eunomia, who is tasked by the Commission to assess the feasibility of certain regulatory measures, including the target to make all packaging mandatory to be recyclable by 2030 and to introduce a joint recycled and bio-based content target (25-35%). Other matters of concern for EUBP include: the currently proposed definition of recyclability, the notion of “recyclable at scale”, a proposed negative list, a 30% GHG emission reduction threshold for bio-based plastics relative to the fossil-based alternative, as well as a proposal for innovative products to have a recycling stream established within 5 years of entering the market. EUBP will develop an updated position on the PPWD revision to include answers on these issues and concerns to be used in the ongoing outreach to relevant policy makers in the Commission and the Parliament.

EUBP has submitted its response to the public consultation on the forthcoming policy framework on bio-based, biodegradable and compostable plastics (consultation closed 15 March 2022). EUBP’s consultation response was shared with key allies, incl. BON Europe and EUBA members to align positions and gather support. EUBP also sent an additional position paper to relevant policy makers in the Commission and EP to further elaborate on some of the questions and issues raised in the consultation. A Commission meeting on the Policy Framework Communication on Bio-based and Biodegradable/Compostable plastics is planned for 11 May, and it is expected that the final Communication will be published then.

Further priorities and key work items included the ongoing outreach on the JRC Plastic LCA method, the assessment of bioplastics-related aspects in the EU Taxonomy Regulation (incl. bio-based plastics being included as sustainable investment in the Climate Delegated Act, and the upcoming Annex on Technical Screening Criteria), as well as the Sustainable Products Initiative published on 30 March 2022, which is considered of very high relevance for the sector.

On 31 March, EUBP met with DG GROW (Laure Baillargeon and Olga Pozlevic). During this meeting EUBP highlighted our concerns with the JRC LCA proposed methodology for alternative feedstock for plastic production, as well as our suggestions for the upcoming policy framework for bio-based, biodegradable and compostable plastics. EUBP stressed the need to ensure market access, all while avoiding an over regulated EU market which can harm innovation.

The next meetings of the WG REGA will take place on 6 April (online) and 10 May (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 Neguț (negut@european-bioplastics.org) or Katrin Schwede (schwede@european-bioplastics.org).

BON Europe

BON Europe (Bioplastics Organisations Network) is an alliance of European Bioplastics and European national bioplastics organisations. The group has met on 3 February to share relevant developments at national level. A March meeting was cancelled/postponed. The group will meet next on 21 April 2022.

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

Product Groups

Product Group Bio-based

The next meeting of the PG Bio-based will take place on 26 April 2022. The main discussion points will be the mass balance approach as well as recent development regarding the LCA of bio-based plastics. TF 1 will meet on 5 April to discuss already in advance the response to the JRC because of their LCA study as well as issues around the PEF (Product Environmental Footprint) method.

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

The next meeting of the PG Biodegradables is scheduled for 5 April 2022 to discuss the positions on home composting and anaerobic digestion and an update on the ad hoc TFs will be given. The TF on compostable plastics in recycling and the new TF Agri will both meet again in May.

The draft position paper on compostable plastics in anaerobic digestion is currently with the group chairs and will be distributed with the whole PG in April.

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

Working Group Standardisation

The WG Standardisation met again on 3 March to discuss the standard FprEN17427 “Packaging – Requirements and test scheme for carrier bags suitable for treatment in well-managed home composting installations” and the connected voting strategy for FprEN17428 dealing with disintegration testing under home composting conditions. The group agreed that it would make most sense to vote “yes” on the parent standard, and “no” to the disintegration test method to which it refers. The voting for FprEN17428 will be closed on 7 April.

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 March 2022 (online).

On 1 March, EUBP Comms gave an online presentation at the International Seminar Biotechnology organized by Aimplas, including a market data update and an overview on the political environment for bioplastics in the European Union.

In the run-up to the first edition of “EUBP Talk”, Comms further intensified promotional activities in support of the event. During the webinar, which took place on 9 March, EUBP Comms covered the presentations as well as the subsequent discussion on social media (Twitter and LinkedIn) .

EUBP Comms presented at this year’s bio!PAC which took place on 15/16 March online. The presentation included a brief market data update as well as an overview on the political environment for bioplastics in the European Union.

Additionally, EUBP Comms coordinated and prepared the responses to several requests by journalists regarding the impact of the Ukraine conflict on the plastics respectively bioplastics industry, e.g., for Packaging Insights. Comms also continued its work on the Annual Report 2021.

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

Seedling Logo

The certification scheme for the Seedling Logo is currently being revised. Final changes have been discussed in a meeting on 25 March. The new version is planned to be published in May.

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

Events

EUBP Event Management implemented the first EUBP Talk. The webinar was a success with more than 120 participants.

The Networking Event and the Members Meeting will take place at the Representation of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia in Brussels on 22 & 23 June. The organisation of the events is ongoing.

The Conference website has been set up, and the registration for the 2022 conference has been opened. Possible locations for the EUBP Conference 2023 have been visited, so far, no decision has been made.

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:

• Next WG meeting on 10 May 2022 (Brussels)
• Continued outreach to key policy stakeholders on the current revision of the EU waste legislation; incl. updating position on PPWD revision to include new proposals
• Prepare input to consultation on the Sustainable Products Initiative and develop position paper on key issues (PEF/LCA, Digital Product Passport)
• Draft new response to JRC LCA method; increase outreach to other stakeholders to seek alliances and support
• Draft response to call for evidence on forthcoming EU rules on the Certification of Carbon Removals
• Provide input to JRC’s report on the definition of recycling

Communications:

• Update EUBP publications with market data 2021
• Editorial process for Annual Report 2021
• Update EUBP website (policy part)
• Development generic posts for social media scheduling tool

BON Europe:

• Individual meetings with BON members

PG Bio-based:

• Next PG meeting on 26 April 2022
• TF 1 meeting 5 April 2022
  
• Fact sheet on bio-based content and mass balance

PG Biodegradables:

• Meeting ad hoc TF Compostable Plastics in Recycling on 3 May 2022
  
• Meeting ad hoc TF Agri 21 May 2022
  
• Next PG meeting on 5 April 2022
• Position paper on anaerobic digestion
• Update position on home composting

WG Standardisation:

• Monitoring the work of CEN/TC 261 SC 4 WG 2 and the revision of EN 13432

Seedling Logo:

• Next ACS meeting in June 2022
• Update and finalisation new version of Seedling certification scheme

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

Disclaimer

The information transmitted by this email is intended only for the person or entity to which it is addressed. This email may contain proprietary, business-confidential, and/or privileged material. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, be aware that any use, review, retransmission, distribution, reproduction, or any action taken in reliance upon this message is strictly prohibited. If you received this in error, please contact the sender and delete the material from all computers.