Author: Maria Negut, Head of EU Affairs at European Bioplastics e.V. The long-awaited EC proposal for Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) was finally published on 30 March 2022, building upon the “Ecodesign Directive”, which currently only covers energy-related products. Part of the Sustainable Products Initiative (SPI), the proposal for ecodesign is [...]
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 [...]
Forthcoming EU policy framework on bio-based, biodegradable and compostable plastics With the public consultation phase now closed, the forthcoming EU policy framework on bio-based, biodegradable and compostable plastics is nearing completion and is expected to be adopted in the second quarter of 2022. It is a crucial piece of legislation for the bioplastics industry, and [...]
European Bioplastics (EUBP) successfully kicked-off the new event series “EUBP Talk”, which aims to provide greater insights into the latest developments in the bioplastics industry and into relevant EU policy initiatives by bringing together policy makers, R&D experts, and industry leaders to talk about how bioplastics can contribute to tackling some of the major [...]
In each issue of the Bioplastics Bulletin, we present 5 facts about a member of European Bioplastics. In this issue, Floris Buijzen, Senior Product MarketManager for TotalEnergies Corbion, shares some interesting insights on his company. 5 facts about TotalEnergies Corbion, Netherlands TotalEnergies Corbion has launched the world's first commercially available chemically recycled bioplastics product [...]
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 [...]
In order to achieve the ambitious goals of the European Green Deal, respectively the Circular Economy Action Plan, the European Commission already initiated a significant number of regulatory processes. To improve Europe’s waste management in line with the waste hierarchy and the implementation of the polluter principle, the Commission had initiated a Call for [...]
Swell idea: Bioplastic surf boards gain traction In France, a company is using 3D printing and bio-based materials to bring the surf community a more sustainable experience. Wyve, based in the Basque beach area, is replacing the polystyrene and EPS foam “blanks” that make traditional surfboards buoyant with inner hexagons that trap air. The [...]
Dutch researchers join forces to boost PHAs market introduction Invest-NL and Wageningen University & Research are joining forces to accelerate the market introduction of PHAs (polyhydroxyalkanoates). Wageningen Food & Biobased Research has been conducting technological research for 30 years into the production and usage possibilities of PHAs for various applications. They are currently participating [...]
In modern agriculture you can find a great number of plastic products that help improving the efficiency and, thus, the yield of the cultivated product. However, due to certain conditions that accompany many agricultural procedures, a not-negligible share of plastic remains in the soil. Especially in areas of intensive agriculture, significant amounts of microplastic [...]
