1. Policy Updates

The provisional agreement on the End-of-Life Vehicles Regulation was finalised, including a review clause opening the door for targets and sustainability criteria for biobased feedstock in plastic used in vehicles in the future. We are currently awaiting formal endorsement by the Council and the European Parliament.

After Lorenza participated in its first General Assembly in Geleen (Chemelot, Netherlands), the Critical Chemicals Alliance has started its formal work. EUBP took part in the first meetings of WG 1 (Critical Molecules and Production Sites) and WG 4 (Lead Markets). We will continue to follow the work in these two working groups with the objective of ensuring that biobased plastics are taken into account when shaping the future of the chemical sector and recognised as a promising lead market.

Events are still in full swing in Brussels! Organised by the Brussels Sustainability Club, we participated in an event on future measures related to Extended Producer Responsibility. The presence of Luis Planas Herrera (Cabinet Roswall) allowed us to gather updated insights on the Commission’s intentions regarding the upcoming Circular Economy Act.

Our TF SUPD has been meeting regularly to develop and refine EUBP’s position for the public consultation on the evaluation of the SUPD. With the deadline set for 17 March, work intensified in February!

A meeting of the European Bioeconomy Alliance was organised at Secretary General level. Lorenza participated with the aim of making the Alliance as effective as possible and ensuring added value for all 16 associations involved.

2. Sustainability and Environment

EUBP met with Copa Cogeca and with DG Agri. Discussions covered topics of bioplastics capacity data, advantages of use of bioplastics in agriculture, CAP, sustainability criteria and using agricultural biomass for bioplastics production. 

Formal task force meetings took place for TF Safe and TF MatRec. 

TF MatRec (and SG9) concluded the final Design for Recycling draft Technical Specifications for packaging made from biodegradable plastics and a 3-week commenting period within CEN TC261 was kicked off on 19 February. 

TF Feedstock made good progress on the infographic (Deliverable D3) for availability and accessibility of sustainable biomass for bioplastics.  The TF Safe team continued working on the microplastics position paper (Deliverable D5) – this included some good debates. 

3. Research and Innovation Projects

PHA-based rigid packaging solutions can be produced from brewers’ spent grains: the idea of using a byproduct of beer production was AIMPLAS's for the BioSupPack project, the creation of a circular, local supply chain involving a small brewery, Cerveza Mica, and the municipal waste company in Valencia (SAV), has made it possible to use the brewery’s bagasse as an alternative feedstock. At the IX International Seminar on Biopolymers and Sustainable Composites, the prototypes have been successfully presented to an audience of packaging experts. SAV has set up a portal to match the supply and demand for bagasse for bioplastic production: https://biosuppack-market.eu/ . We invite you to listen to the coordinator, Rosa Gonzalez, in a webinar we are organising on 24 March 2026. The prototypes are seeking potential bioplastics players interested in scaling them up. 

The Circular, Sustainable and Biobased Coating Cluster is growing: BIO-SUSHY has joined the Cluster. The BIO-SUSHY project has developed innovative repellent organic and hybrid coatings, harnessing bio-based additives for advanced functionalisation as an alternative to PFAS-based coatings. Technical meetings for experts, from experts, are organised on topics chosen by the scientific community. If you are working in research and development with a focus on coatings, you are invited to join our workshops. If you are involved in an EU-funded coatings project, you can become a member of the Cluster at any time. The next technical workshop will cover the sourcing of raw materials for coatings and will be held online on 14 April 2026. Sign up on this registration page. 

INSOIL Project

The INSOIL project is advancing in its development of a new generation of biodegradable polymers to be used in in-soil products for the agriculture: PHBV has emerged as a highly promising candidate due to its biodegradability and its adaptable properties. Two grades of PHBV have been produced, each differing in monomer composition and mechanical and thermal behaviour. Other partners in the project have started evaluating additional biodegradable polymers, such as a second-generation biopolyesters, that may be blended with PHBV. Read more here.

4. Events

In February, we officially launched the EUBP Talks Series 2026, titled, Material Solutions: Bioplastics Beyond Packaging. The new series expands the thematic scope beyond packaging and will cover applications in Construction, Textiles, Agriculture, Consumer Goods, and Automotive. The first session, scheduled for 18 March 2026, will focus on construction applications. Registration is now open.

Preparations for EBC26 have also advanced significantly. The Sponsorship Packages are now available and actively being promoted to partners and industry stakeholders. In parallel, Early Bird registration has opened, enabling participants to secure their attendance at preferential rates. Overall, February focused on launching key communication milestones for both the Talks Series and EBC26, activating registration and sponsorship streams, and progressing programme-related governance structures.

5. Member portrait – Balrampur Chini Mills Limited (BCML)  

  Balrampur Chini Mills Limited (BCML) is one of the largest integrated sugar companies in India. The allied businesses of the Company comprise distillery operations and cogeneration of power. The Company presently has ten sugar factories located in Uttar Pradesh (India) having an aggregate sugarcane crushing capacity of 80,000 TCD, distillery and co-generation operations of 1050 KLPD and 175.7 MW (Saleable) respectively. Find out more here