Definition of ‘recyclability’ takes centre stage in draft EU packaging law Defining what counts as “recyclable” has become a point of contention in the EU’s overhaul of its packaging waste law, with recyclers pushing for high targets and manufacturers concerned products will not meet the threshold. In November, the European Commission plans to table [...]
Avantium and Sphera cut GHG emissions with Dutch sugar beet-based plantMPG Avantium has partnered with software company Sphera to perform an LCA on plant-based mono propylene glycol (plantMPG), produced with Avantium’s Ray Technology from sucrose derived from Dutch sugar beet. PlantMPG is a chemical intermediate used in various applications, including in functional fluids and unsaturated [...]
Australian researchers discover seaweed solution as PFAS alternative for fast-food packaging Flinders University materials researchers in Australia and One-Five, a German biomaterials developer, are using seaweed extracts to develop biopolymer coating materials to replace current foodservice packaging. The biomaterials are designed to replace conventional fossil-based plastic coatings used in grease-resistant quick service restaurant (QRS) packaging. The [...]
The Product Environmental Footprint method could become the EU’s guiding approach for environmental impact assessment; to be fit for purpose, it should appraise the carbon footprint of bio-based products. As the European Commission increasingly plans to rely on the Product Environmental Footprint (PEF) method as the guiding approach for environmental impact assessment, an accurate [...]
The current revision of the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive (PPWD), as well as the Waste Framework Directive (WFD) review and the forthcoming framework on bio-based, biodegradable and compostable plastics provide crucial opportunities to fully acknowledge the role of bioplastics in a circular economy. The Bioplastics Organisation Network (BON) Europe, a collaboration of [...]
Maelenn Macedo-Ravard, Regulatory and Sustainability Manager at TotalEnergies Corbion BV Read below a guest article by Maelenn Macedo-Ravard, Regulatory and Sustainability Manager at TotalEnergies Corbion BV. Plastic recycling is far from reaching its targets included in the different waste legislations worldwide. Of all plastic produced since 1950, only 9% has ever been [...]
Members of the EU Commission gathered in Strasbourg on 14 September for the State of the European Union conference. Following a rousing speech by President Ursula von der Leyen, the debate began in pursuit of ‘sustainable and digital’ progress for the continent. But what kind of future was being promised, and where will packaging [...]
In January 2022, the European Commission had initiated the revision process of the EU Waste Framework Directive (WFD) with a Call for Evidence for an impact assessment of the EU waste management. In summer, the Commission opened the process for the broader public consultation that just recently closed on 24 August. The revision of [...]
Constance Ißbrücker, Head of Environmental Affairs at European Bioplastics e.V. Bioplastics are nothing new to the medical sector. In fact, it’s one of the sectors where bioplastics have been in use for a very long time because they offer significant benefits in terms of specific properties and functionalities. They also provide opportunities [...]
Biomass used for energy and materials is, on the one hand, one of the key mitigation options to reach the 1.5 °C GMT (Global Mean Temperature) target set in the Paris Agreement, as highlighted by the IPCC’s reports (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) and many other key analyses. On the other hand, particularly in [...]
