Activity Report - February 2024

Please find below an overview of activities carried out by European Bioplastics throughout February 2024. 

> Board
> Regulatory Affairs (WG REGA)
> EUBA - European Bioeconomy Alliance
> Seedling
> Sustainability and Environmental Affairs
> Communications
> Event Management
> EU-funded Research & Innovation Projects
> EUBP events and speaking opportunities 
> Planned activities

Board

The Board met on 20 February 2024 and was updated on the current status of engaging a new Head of SEA as well as on the preliminary review of the budget 2023.

The meeting was succeeded by Board-internal strategy meetings with Donald Summers (Altruist) who had previously been engaged as an external consultant. 

For further detailed information, please refer to Hasso von Pogrell (pogrell@european-bioplastics.org)

Regulatory Affairs (WG REGA)

The WG REGA met on 20 February 2024 to discuss the latest EU policy developments, with a focus and priority on the Commission’s proposal for a revised Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR). The Task Force PPWR (TF PPWR) met on 8 and 29 February 2024 to further discuss the legislative evolutions in detail. 

We finalised the organisation of elections for the positions of Chair and Vice-chair of the WG REGA:  Celmira Sousa and Jenna Luchman Vice-chair have taken up their respective role of Chair and Vice-Chair of WG REGA as of 12 February 2024. 

Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation 

February 2024 was crucial for the PPWR negotiations, as the trilogue went full force ahead, with 8 official technical meetings and a political trilogue in Strasbourg on 5 February. A marathon for the negotiators who were only able to close so-called minor issues at the first political trilogue and had to postpone more complex issues to later. 

EUBP worked a lot – mainly with the Political Advisor of MEP Ries – to ensure that biobased feedstock in plastic packaging is incentivised in the PPWR. The first political trilogue was able to come to an agreement on this point and in the end, we obtained the best possible outcome if we consider what was on the table. The Regulation recognizes the contribution of biobased feedstock to the prevention of waste and the defossilization of packaging. 3 years after the entry into force of the Regulation, The Commission should present a report and, if "appropriate", an ad hoc legislative proposal on biobased plastics, including sustainability criteria and the possibility of biobased feedstock contributing to recycling content targets in food contact-sensitive materials. 

We also continued to advocate for EUBP’s positions on Article 8 and Annex III (compostable packaging) with all trilogue negotiators, trying to maintain, at least, a status quo of the compostable market, but even more, trying to incentivize the use of compostable applications where it makes sense. 

We of course tried influencing other topics of the PPWR which will have an impact on our sector, mainly Articles 22, 26 and Annex V of the regulation. In this regard, we were also obliged to develop strategies responding to the Presidency Steering notes asking the Council for flexibility in its mandate. Other issues, such as natural, no-processed polymers, also popped up during the negotiations, and we tried dealing with them as best as we could by consulting the membership. 

Finally, at the end of the month, we also followed the intense preparation of the second political trilogue on 4 March 2024. 

We continued our cooperation with other trade Associations, such as EUROPEN, BioChem (Cefic), CEPI, and EUBA on the file, providing us with some more layers of information in this very fast-moving file. 

Other policy developments 

The 2024 Annual Union Work Programme for European Standardisation was published by the Commission. It identifies the standardisation deliverables that the Commission intends to request from CEN for 2024. One of the objectives and deliverables is to develop new standards and revise existing standards on bio-materials, biobased and wood-derived products to support the modernisation and strengthening of the EU industrial base. We have started a brief conversation with DG GROW and will continue to monitor this. 

The Green Claims ENVI-IMCO Opinion was adopted on 14 February 2024 with a large support in the European Parliament. The EP Plenary vote is scheduled on 11 March 2024. We discussed with REGA the link with the PPWD which has been touched by one of the amendments. Whereas it was proposed by the Commission that the Directive would not apply to claims based on the PPWD, it is now proposed that they do fall in the scope. We also discussed the simplified verification system proposed by the European Parliament. 

The legislative train on the targeted revision of the Waste Framework Directive is also in full force. The ENVI Opinion was adopted on 14 February. EUBP will push some of the ENVI adopted amendments to be also adopted in Plenary. 

We updated REGA on the trilogue compromise found on the Net-Zero Industry Act and discussed our collaboration with EuropaBio on the Biotech and biomanufacturing Initiative. The EUBP INC Team started to coordinate its efforts in preparation of INC-4 (April 2024, Ottawa). 

The next meeting of the TF PPWR will be held on 14 March 2024, and the next REGA meeting on 21 March 2024. 

For further detailed information on the work of the WG Regulatory Affairs, please refer to the slides and minutes of the last meeting or contact Roberto Ferrigno (ferrigno@european-bioplastics.org) or Julie Pieters (pieters@european-bioplastics.org).

EUBA - European Bioeconomy Alliance

The Operational Group meeting of the European Bioeconomy Alliance (EUBA) in February was organised by CEPI on 29 February 2024. We also started “our advocacy tour” for EUBA’s Manifesto with a first visit to Hans Ingels at DG GROW. 

The Operational Group meeting had quite a vast agenda and discussed policy topics such as (1) the EU taxonomy with a presentation by the European Banking Federation, (2) the Biotech and Biomanufacturing Initiative, and (3) the Green Claims Directive. As EUBP is in the ‘lead’ on the PPWR file, we informed the members of the evolutions of the file and the need to continue to monitor and advocate for biobased content and other innovative packaging solutions. 

Finally, EUBA is setting up a roadmap with key activities to promote the Association towards the institutions after the EU elections (going from Communication to common policy outreach). 

For further information on EUBP’s engagement within the European Bioeconomy Alliance, please contact Julie Pieters (pieters@european-bioplastics.org)

Seedling

The next meeting of the ACS is scheduled for 12 April 2024 and will be coordinated by DIN CERTCO. 

For more information, please contact Marike Fronk (fronk@european-bioplastics.org) or Hasso von Pogrell (pogrell@european-bioplastics.org).  

Sustainability and Environmental Affairs

The WG SEA held an online meeting on 28 February 2024. The Working Programme, as adopted at the members meeting in December 2023, was presented. The prioritisation and combination of topics were explained in detail, and the group was invited to join two new TF’s according to the Working Programme: TF Environmental Safety and TF Home Composting. Additionally, the members of WG SEA were invited to join a joint TF with WG Comms with the purpose to update the Environmental Communications Guide. The group also discussed a new topic: material recycling of biodegradable polymers. It was decided to set up an additional TF on this topic. The group also received updates on the work of the three active TF’s: TF EOL (end-of-life), TF AD (anaerobic digestion), and TF Agri (agricultural bioplastics). 

EUBP has been working on an update of the Position Paper (PP) on End-of-Life options for biobased plastics. The draft had been shared with the TF EOL, who commented and suggested edits. The document had been handed over to the WG Chairs and will be worked on further in March 2024. 

The draft Position Paper on AD had been shared with the WG and received some feedback. The TF AD will meet at the end of March to discuss and include the suggestions. Then the final draft will be sent to the WG for a final approval. The publication is aimed for April 2024. 

TF AGRI met briefly on 14 February 2024 to discuss the status quo of the Fertilising Products Regulation (FPR). The group was expecting the publication of the Delegated Act at the end of January 2024. EUBP enquired about the status and was informed by the DG Grow Fertilising Products team that the publication is delayed and expected in early March, at the latest. The draft is still planned to be adopted in July 2024. The publication of the draft is aimed to be followed by a public feedback consultation for a period of four weeks, and the TF Agri plans to meet shortly after the publication to discuss the next steps and interventions. EUBP and two experts from the TF are planning to join the next Expert Group meeting on 15/16 April 2024. 

The next WG SEA meeting will take place online on 29 May 2024. 

For more information, please contact Marike Fronk (fronk@european-bioplastics.org) or Hasso von Pogrell (pogrell@european-bioplastics.org).

Communications

In February 2024, the Comms team has worked extensively on a so-called Operational Environment Map as part of the consulting process with the consultant Donald Summers (Altruist). We provided the inputs necessary to have a comprehensive view of all comms activities within EUBP.  

The Comms team continued working on the scripts for the video campaign to promote EUBP’s Policy Manifesto. The videos will be shot throughout March and after editing will be posted on social media in March-April 2024. 

The EUBP comms team has been leading the EUBA Comms TF since 1 January 2024. As such, we are coordinating EUBA’s presence at the Bioeconomy Changemakers Festival organized by the European Commission. The graphics and comms material are being finalised, and the roles for the exhibition have been assigned to the members.  

A number of EUBP comms material are being updated, namely our Facts Sheets, as well as our WG/TF membership application form, our annual report and our monthly reports. The comms team has been working on the revamp of these elements this past month.  

The comms team has been working closely with the Policy Affairs team this month to push further some last messaging around the PPWR on social media, as we are approaching the last trilogue. Additionally, we published a misconception landing page on EUBP’s main page website with common myths and factual answers to these questions. Finally, the team is preparing a press release to be distributed in March 2024 once the PPWR is voted to comment on the outcome.  

Finally, the comms team has met with the team at The Parliament magazine to discuss a potential future collaboration. 

For more information or questions concerning the communications activities of EUBP, please contact our new EUBP Communications Manager Marion Thérage (therage@european-bioplastics.org).

Event Management

In February 2024, Events started working on the next EBC edition. Topics have been defined and drafts for the website and registration have been written. Members of EUBP have been invited to join the advisory board for the conference. Location scouting for EBC 25 has now also started.  

In cooperation with Policy Affairs and EU Projects unit, the events department started planning a new monthly EUBP series of bioplastics (web) talks with a focus on sustainable and alternative feedstock for bioplastics to start with, which will be launched in April, ending in a live event in Brussels in mid-October 2024. 

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).

EU-funded Research & Innovation Projects

European Bioplastics is currently a consortium partner in five EU funded projects: two projects funded by the Horizon 2020 Programme (BIOMAC and PRESERVE), and two projects funded by the Horizon Europe /Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking (MoeBIOS and ReBioCycle) and one project funded by the BBI JU (BioSupPack). Moreover, EUBP participates in an Austrian-funded project (NETmicroplastic). EUBP is also involved as an Advisory Board Member in several EU-funded research projects. 

Improving waste management of biobased plastics and the upcycling in packaging, textile and agriculture sectors (MoeBIOS)  

MoeBIOS is led by ITENE (ES), counts 21 partners, and is funded by the call on “Recycling bio-based plastics increasing sorting and recycled content (upcycling)” (HORIZON-JU-CBE-2023-IA-04). MoeBIOS will develop three value chains incorporating separate recycling streams for bioplastics to improve waste management efficiency throughout Europe. The project will create linkages at the different key stages of the whole chain of waste management from the collection of the bioplastic waste (simulated streams), up to the upcycling and validation of the final recycled end-products (holistic and coordinated solution). MoeBIOS will focus on bioplastics for which recycling processes are still not in place, excluding biobased analogues (“drop-ins”): PLA and PLA blends, PHA and its blends, PBS and PEF. The use of PBAT will be assessed as well.  

European Bioplastics is involved in the implementation of the MoeBIOS multi-actor approach (MAA) to engage waste producers, waste managers, biobased and (bio)plastics industry, public authorities, standardization agencies, consumer associations and media multipliers, creating a co-creation and co-ownership environment feeding into the technical work packages. The project will start around summer 2024 and run for 48 months. 

MoeBIOS is funded by the European Union through the Circular Biobased Europe Joint Undertaking. 

A new European blueprint for circular bioplastics upcycling solutions (ReBioCycle)  

ReBioCycle is led by the University College Dublin, counts 20 partners and is funded by the call on “Recycling bio-based plastics increasing sorting and recycled content (upcycling)” (HORIZON-JU-CBE-2023-IA-04). ReBioCycle will develop a portfolio of novel bioplastic sorting and recycling technologies within three complementary waste-processor-centric hubs. Within these hubs, ReBioCyle will test the novel recycling technologies on three types of bioplastics (e.g., PLA, PHA, Mater-Bi) to demonstrate how it is possible to obtain recycled polymers of equal or superior grade. European Bioplastics is involved in the dissemination and exploitation activities. NOVAMONT and Total Energies Corbion are two of the technical partners. The project will start around summer and run for 48 months. ReBioCycling is funded by the European Union through the Circular Biobased Europe Joint Undertaking. 

European sustainable biobased nanomaterials Community (BIOMAC) 

BIOMAC has established a collaborative ecosystem where technologies and solutions utilising nano-enabled and/or biobased materials (NBMs) across several test beds are developed up to TRL 4-5 and later upscaled and prepared for market applications, up to TRL 7. Currently, BIOMAC is focusing on four testbeds: food packaging, construction, automotive, and printed electronics.  

BIOMAC is organising the “Polymers 2024—Polymers for a Safe and Sustainable Future” conference in collaboration with the MDPI open access journal Polymers, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and Exelisis Co. The conference will be held in Athens, Greece, on May 28–31, 2024. Polymers 2024 is an international conference that will explore the latest advances in polymer science to produce safe and sustainable materials, with unique properties for human health and environmental sustainability. The conference will also discuss clean, green, and efficient production processes, life cycle assessments, exposure, risk assessment, decontamination and environmental remediation, and novel techniques for polymer recycling and reuse. Polymers 2024 is a unique opportunity for polymer scientists from around the world to present their work and innovations in polymer chemistry and technology under the view of sustainable development.  

The review of the BIOMAC project was performed by the European Commission representatives in Padova on 1-2 February 2024. The review was very positive, and it highlighted that the project is well on track and delivering the expected results. 

The project is planning to close its activities at the end of 2024.  

Click here to find out more about the BIOMAC achievements and activities. BIOMAC has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme under Grant Agreement No. 952941. 

High performance sustainable bio-based packaging with tailored end of life and upcycled secondary use (PRESERVE) 

EUBP is currently coordinating efforts by four EU projects (PRESERVE, BioSupPack, upP-ET and Uplift) to draft a White Paper to be presented at a Webinar in the second half of 2024. The White Paper will be the first stepping stone into the draft of a Policy Brief on Upcycling that will be presented at a Policy Briefing at the European Parliament in 2025. EUBP signed a Sponsorship Agreement with the European Bureau for Conservation and Development, the organization in charge of the European Parliament Intergroup on Climate Change, Biodiversity and Sustainable Development, that will host the event. This work is part of the efforts EUBP is carrying out as lead on a Working Group on Policy Issues with the other EU projects.  

During February, EUBP focus on the preparation of the 2nd Technical and Financial Reports and the preparation of the upcoming review of the performance of the project, which will take place on 21st March. EUBP is also coordinating PRESERVE partners in their training activities. An online Training on the Safe and Sustainable by Design Framework and its application in the PRESERVE project, led by ITENE, will be organised on 30 April. To register to this webinar, follow this link. 

Click here to find out more about the PRESERVE goals and activities. PRESERVE has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 952983. 

Demonstrative process for the production and enzymatic recycling of environmentally safe, superior and versatile PHA-based rigid packaging solutions by plasma integration in the value chain (BioSupPack)  

BioSupPack aims at upscaling novel, economically convenient, and high-performing biobased rigid packaging solutions based on PHA, also suitable for being recycled and recovered. BioSupPack will also test the use of brewery industry by-products (spent grain) as a fermentation feedstock for PHA production. 

EUBP, as lead of the Communication and Dissemination, has been designing and coordinating the update of BioSupPack´s dissemination and communication plan and activities for the upcoming months in its upcoming General Meeting on 6-7 March. Moreover, as mentioned before within PRESERVE, BioSupPack has been collaborating with other EU projects in the drafting and organisation of a paper on Upcycling.  

Click here to find out more about BioSupPack goals and activities.  

BioSupPack is funded by the European Union through the Bio-based Industries Joint Undertaking. 

NETmicroplastic 

NETmicroplastic’s aim is to tackle multiple facets of microplastic in soil. NETmicroplastic specifically focuses on fruit and vine growing on composting and finding ways of reducing the use of plastic products in vineyards and orchards without compromising product quality and performance. The network fosters provision of solid data for science-based impact assessment of microplastic in soil. The network also shares knowledge on the biodegradable alternatives to conventional plastic. The project is coordinated by the Austrian Institute of Technology (AIT). The project is funded by the Lower Austria research ministry to foster collaboration between 11 core network partners from four European countries. EUBP supports the project with mapping activities, stakeholders, strategies, policies, and dissemination.  

The project is organising a series of webinars around the microplastic topic. Anyone can participate and attend, previous registration: https://www.net-microplastic.eu/events/ If you are interested in joining the NETmicroplastic network, it is possible to sign up for several activities here.  

Click here to find out more about the NETmicroplastic project. 

Are you planning new project proposals for research and innovation? We would like to be partner up with you!  

If you are planning a research and innovation project proposal, we would like to be your partner. We are specifically interested in joining new calls related to the development of new biobased polymers and co-polymers, but also on pre-normative activities on biobased materials and on novel packaging solutions. EUBP is keen on joining as your consortium as a partner for outreach, dissemination, policy engagement and support to standardization activities. Please get in touch if you are interested. 

For more information or requests concerning EUBP’s involvement in EU-funded projects, please contact Chiara Bearzotti and Estela López-Hermoso (euprojects@european-bioplastics.org).

EUBP events and speaking opportunities 

• 5-6 March: Roberto Ferrigno, EUBP Head of EU Affairs, one of the panellists at the 4th Annual Bioplastics Innovation Forum 
• 6 March: Chiara Bearzotti, EU project manager, talking at the BioSupPack project meeting 
• 7 March: Hasso von Pogrell, EUBP Managing Director, speaker at the SEALIVE BROKERAGE EVENT Valencia, Spain. Topic: Bioplastics Fit for the Future: Opportunities and Challenges  
• 13 March: Roberto Ferrigno, EUBP Head of EU Affairs, will speak at the Brillian Policy Workshop 
• 10 April: EUBP online event – Alternative Feedstock for bioplastics  

Planned activities

Regulatory Affairs 

• Continue strategic outreach in light of the trilogue outcome of the PPWR 
• Planification of EUBP’s outreach on the Policy manifesto and strategic preparation/identification of priorities for the next European cycle 
• Continue to monitor the evolutions in the targeted revision of the Waste Framework Directive and the Green Claims Directive 
• Evaluation of the Communication on Biotech and Biomanufacturing that will come out on 20 March 2024 
• Look into what we could do on the Sustainable Taxonomy: 2nd cut-off date for the Stakeholder request mechanism 
• Further prepare for the Fourth Session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on Plastic Pollution (UNEP INC-4) that will be held in Ottawa in April 2023 
• Participate in events and Conferences, such as the Bioeconomy Changemakers Festival and the Think 2030 Conference 
• Preparation of a new EUBP online series together with the research and innovation projects team in the format of a coffee break with experts speaking on alternative feedstock possibilities 
• Next TF PPWR meeting on 14 March and next REGA meetings on 21 March 2024 

Communications 

• Coordinate EUBA’s participation in the Commission’s event 
• Continue the campaign to spread the EU Policy Manifesto  
• Support the team in preparation of the EUBP event on Alternative feedstock 
• Promote the misconception/facts landing page on social media 
• Preparing content for EBC24 partnerships outreach 

Sustainability & Environmental Affairs 

• TF Agri Meeting, mid March (tbd) 
• FPR public consultation (expected to open at the beginning of March at the latest) 
• TF EOL Meeting, tbd 
• Finalise and publish PP on EOL 
• TF AD Meeting, end of March (tbd) 
• Finalise and publish PP on AD 
• Kick-off of new TF’s 
• WG SEA meeting, 29 May (online) 

Seedling Logo 

• Next ACS Meeting on 12 April 2024 

Research and innovation projects 

• Preparing for the 6-7 March BioSupPack General Meeting 
• Preparing for the PRESERVE Second European Commission Review Meeting to be held online on 21 March 2024 
• Holding the Training on Safe and Sustainable by Design Framework: implementation in PRESERVE Project on 30 April 2024 
• Promoting the conference on “Polymers 2024—Polymers for a Safe and Sustainable Future” conference in collaboration with the MDPI open access journal Polymers, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and Exelisis Co, to be held in Athens on 28-31 May 2024 
• Organising the Satellite event @European Bioplastics Conference (EBC 24) bioplastics recycling approaches and technology, on 9 December 2024, with inputs provided by the research and innovation projects PRESERVE, BioSupPack, MoeBIOS and ReBioCycle 
• Finalising the negotiations for the start of the research and innovation projects MoeBIOS and ReBioCycle 
• Liaising with the CEN for the setup of a CEN Workshop Agreement (CWA) for the research and innovation project BIOMAC on the topic of production of nanolignin with a green process and characterization methodology for nanolignin 
• Preparing a White Paper on Upcycling and Recycling of sustainable packaging togetehr with with AIMPLAS for BioSupPack. This is a joint effort implemented with the contribution of several EU-funded research and innovation projects where members of EUBP are involved. 

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.