On Friday 27 January, the European bioplastics industry welcomed the roadmap for an EU strategy on plastics, announced by the European Commission in its 'mini-package' on the circular economy, which was presented on 25 January, which it sees as both a compulsory step and an opportunity to stimulate alternatives to fossil fuels (see EUROPE 11712).
Bioplastics refers to plastics produced from agricultural by-products or plastic bottles and other used vessels by means of micro-organisms.
The EU's strategy, which is expected this autumn, will aim to improve the economic conditions and quality of the recycling and reuse of plastics, to increase it from its low level and to remedy issues related to the presence of large quantities of plastics in the environment, in particular, in the oceans. At the same time, it will also aim to reduce the strong dependence on fossil fuels as raw materials, the Commission explained.
European Bioplastics (EUBP), the association representing the bioplastics industry throughout the value chain in Europe, described the Commission's approach as "ambitious" and welcomes the fact that it prioritises looking into ways of decarbonising the plastics industry. The association stresses that replacing conventional bio-fuels with plant- or waste-based alternatives will reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but adds that this approach must be accompanied by sustainability criteria, to ensure both responsible supplies and food security.
"An EU plastics strategy is needed to drive continued change in the plastics industry towards an innovative, sustainable and resource-efficient economy", says François de Bie, president of EUBP, who adds: "alternatives to fossil feedstocks such as biomass or CO2 will be taken into account for the manufacture of plastics. Furthermore, diverse end-of-life options will be assessed. Making use of biodegradation properties of bioplastics will help to divert organic waste from landfill and will help reduce plastic leakage into the environment". (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)