François de Bie, Chairman of EUBP, opening the 12th European Bioplastics Conference 2017 in Berlin. Berlin, 30 November 2017 – The 12th European Bioplastics Conference, which took place on 28/29 November 2017 in Berlin, showcased just how bioplastics are making the difference in driving innovations forward for more sustainability, resource efficiency, and [...]
Launched and adopted in 2012, Europe's Bioeconomy Strategy addresses the production of renewable biological resources and their conversion into vital products and bio-energy. The strategy is needed to ensure that fossil resources are replaced with sustainable natural alternatives as part of the transition to a low-carbon circular economy. Its main purpose is to streamline [...]
In preparation for the upcoming EU Plastics Strategy, the European Commission hosted the Stakeholder Conference ‘Reinventing Plastics – Closing the Circle’ on Tuesday, 26 September 2017, to engage with relevant stakeholders and gather feedback and input for the on-going process of drafting the plastics strategy. European Bioplastics (EUBP), the association representing the interests of [...]
At the beginning of this year, the European Commission published its EU Roadmap for a Strategy on Plastics in a Circular Economy. In the Roadmap, the Commission has given priority to assess how to decarbonize the plastics economy and to increase efficiency of waste management with a strong focus on recycling of plastic in [...]
Castelldefels, Spain, 17 July 2017 – The EU-funded PolyBioSkin project commenced work on the development of biopolymers for high-demand skin-contact applications. At the end of June 2017, the project consortium, comprising of 12 partners, including European Bioplastics (EUBP), met in Castelldefels in Spain for the kick-off meeting hosted by project coordinator IRIS to discuss [...]
Berlin, 13 July 2017 – Today, the European Parliament’s Committee on Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO) adopted its report amending the European Commission's proposal for a revision of the Fertilisers Regulation. In its report, the IMCO Committee acknowledges the innovative potential of biodegradable mulch films, which provide positive agronomical effects and help to [...]
At the beginning of this year, the European Commission published its EU Roadmap for a Strategy on Plastics in a Circular Economy. Consultations and discussions around some of the most important issues to be covered by the Strategy on Plastics have already started, showing the complexity of the initiative as well as the need [...]
While there is no specific bioeconomy legislation, funding for bioeconomy research and innovation is a key policy tool for promoting the bioeconomy. EU funding mechanisms include notably the HORIZON 2020 framework programme, the European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF) and the European Fund for Strategic Investment (EFSI). Some 5.6% (EUR 4208 million) of the [...]
The EU bioeconomy makes up an important part of the total economy in the EU. In 2014, it employed around 18.6 million people and generated approximately EUR 2.2 trillion. This means that the bioeconomy represents around 9% of all sectors of the economy with regards to employment as well as to turnover. These are [...]
As set out in the amemdment of the EU Directive on Packaging and Packaging Waste from 2015, the European Commission was tasked to assess the impacts of so-called “oxo-degradable” plastics on the environment and propose “a set of measures to limit their consumption or to reduce any harmful impacts“. To inform the Commission’s decision [...]