The recently published "EU Bioeconomy Strategy Progress Report" presents the state of play of the implementation of the 2018 updated Bioeconomy Strategy and Action Plan and the overall progress of the bioeconomy in Europe. In the report the Commission concludes that the actions are well on track and already contributed to the objectives of [...]
Why the EU’s Taxonomy Climate Delegated Act correctly lists bio-based plastics as “green investments” The Climate Delegated Act supplementing the Taxonomy Regulation clearly supports “plastics derived wholly or partially from renewable feedstock” as “substantially contributing to climate change mitigation”. In order to meet the European Union’s climate and energy targets for 2030 and reach [...]
Yorimasa Suwa, Adviser for International Standardization, Japan BioPlastics Association (JBPA) Read in the following a guest article by Yorimasa Suwa, Adviser for International Standardization, Japan BioPlastics Association (JBPA). The views in this lecture are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views and policy of the organizations. Over the past [...]
Sea-farmed supercrop: how seaweed could transform the way we live From high-protein food to plastics and fuel, Swedish scientists are attempting to tap the marine plant’s huge potential. As we shift to a bio-based rather than fossil-fuel-based economy, seaweed could provide a lot of the compounds we need. For example, Ulrica Edlund, Steinhagen’s collaborator [...]
Bio-Fed signs distribution agreement with KBK in Japan Cologne-based materials producer Bio-Fed and Tokyo-headquartered Kyokuto Boeki Kaisha, Ltd. (KBK), have signed an agreement naming KBK as Bio-Fed’s distribution partner for the Japanese market. Bio-Fed, a branch of Akro-Plastic GmbH and a member of the Feddersen Group, produces and distributes biodegradable and/or bio-based plastic compounds [...]
Tesco tackles food and plastic waste with plant-based protection for fresh produce Tesco is trialing a plant-based food protection branded Apeel to extend the shelf life of fruit and vegetables. This protective extra “peel” slows down the water loss and oxidation that causes produce to spoil. The trial will see approximately 80 UK Tesco [...]
Oona Korhonen, Project Manager at Measurlabs, specialized in biomass Read below a guest article by Oona Korhonen from Measurlabs. How well do you know the amount of bio-based content in the raw materials you use? Have you measured it yourself? There are two big reasons to do so. Firstly, as fossil-based materials [...]
Italy’s plastic tax postponed again under new budget plans Italy’s planned plastic tax, which was get off the ground in 2020 and aims at promoting a reduction of single-use plastics, has faced a series of delays. The Italian Government refers to economic factors connected to the pandemic to justify the delay. The tax on [...]
Constance Ißbrücker, Head of Environmental Affairs at European Bioplastics e.V. The Single-use Plastics Directive (SUPD) coming into effect on 3 July 2021 will not only ban several plastic applications, such as cutlery, plates or drinking straws from the market. It will also prohibit all products made from so-called oxo-degradable plastics. The Directive [...]
BIOnTop’s research teams are pursuing various strategies to optimise biopolymers with a specific focus on protein-based coatings. European Bioplastics supports the BIOnTop project as consortium partner. Most sensitive foods are packaged in multi-layer composite films to ensure sufficient flavour, water vapor, and oxygen barriers to maintain products’ quality and increase its shelf life. However, most of these composite [...]
