Biobased plastics may not be the first thing that comes to mind when discussing the bioeconomy. However, detaching our economy from fossil fuels won't happen if we don't develop alternative sources of feedstock for plastics. Katarina Molin from Braskem, argues why biobased plastics are critical to Europe's circular economy and climate neutrality goals, and outline key policy actions needed to accelerate this transition.
My journey in sustainability began at a northern English university, where I studied EU and International Environmental Politics (and marveled at how single-glazed windows were still a thing, always keeping my student room exceptionally well-ventilated.). Initially, my interest was sparked more by the engaging professor than by a passion for the environment. However, it was the start of a Brussels-based career in EU advocacy, with sustainability at its core.
Katarina Molin is the Head of EU External Affairs & Advocacy at Braskem.
During my time in the paper sector, I was fortunate to be part of the movement promoting sustainable forestry and its vital role in both climate change policies and the bioeconomy. At that time, I never imagined I would one day work in the plastics sector. Back then, the plastics industry's advocacy was mostly reactive, and it was not necessarily seen as a sector willing to embrace change. Joining it would not have been an option for me.
A lot has changed since then. Plastics remain a material that society undeniably needs, but it is also the material most littered across Europe. Recycling rates are still below 30%, with around a quarter of plastic waste still being landfilled. It's clear that more efforts are needed-from both the industry and policymakers-to raise recycling levels and keep plastics within the circular material loop.
Recycling alone, however, will not be enough if we are serious about reducing our dependency on virgin fossil resources and supporting the EU's goal of climate neutrality by 2050. Each year, millions of tons of plastic are produced globally, with 99% derived from fossil fuels.
Decarbonising plastics is not an option. Without carbon, you simply cannot make plastics. What we can do, though, is defossilise them-by using renewable materials like biomass from forestry, agriculture, and waste feedstocks. Defossilisation isn't just a possibility-it's an imperative.
In today's market, biobased plastics face significant barriers to scaling up due to market failures - environmental impacts of fossil plastics are not included in the cost while the additional cost for a lower impact is part of the cost of bio-based plastics. Without policy interventions, this cost disparity prevents scaling up of markets and investments. Policies around bioenergy have been effective in driving demand, creating a market and attracting investment. It is crucial that similar policies be applied to biobased materials, especially plastics, which will inevitably remain dependent on carbon.
This is where the bioeconomy comes into play. Until recently, the bioeconomy was synonymous with the forestry and agriculture sectors, and biobased materials were almost exclusively thought of as derived from wood and agricultural residues. While biobased plastics have not been deliberately excluded, they have so far received little attention.
Misunderstandings about biobased plastics have been persistent. Concerns often center around the sustainability of feedstocks and biomass availability. It's up to the industry to address these issues transparently. Firstly, not all biobased plastics are equal. Production must respect ecological boundaries, and strict sustainability criteria for feedstock sourcing are essential. In terms of biomass availability, it's true there is competition across sectors, but biobased plastics account for just 0,04% of global biomass demand. Even with a tenfold increase, the biomass footprint would remain under 0,5%.
When considering the environmental impact of scaling up biobased plastics production, it's important to keep these figures in mind. Sustainable sourcing remains essential, but expanding biobased plastics production poses minimal risk to food security - especially when climate change remains the most significant threat to global food systems.
To fully unlock the potential of biobased plastics, the following key policy actions are essential:
1. Integrate Biobased Plastics into the Revised EU Bioeconomy Strategy
As the EU Bioeconomy Strategy will be revised in 2025, it is essential that biobased plastics are fully incorporated into the policy framework. The updated strategy must recognise the role of biobased plastics in climate mitigation and target sectors where legislative measures can have the greatest impact. This will align with the EU's climate neutrality objectives and position biobased materials as enablers of a sustainable, fossil-free future.
2. Set Mandatory Product-Specific Targets for Biobased Plastics
To drive real change, the EU should set mandatory product-specific targets for biobased plastics in key sectors like packaging and vehicles. These targets will stimulate demand, foster innovation, and provide a clear roadmap for reducing reliance on virgin fossil plastics. By embedding these targets in future legislation, the EU can accelerate the transition to a circular, biobased economy.
3. Set and Implement Robust Sustainability Criteria for Biobased Plastics
Scaling up biobased plastics must go together with strict sustainability standards. The EU should establish comprehensive sustainability criteria for biobased plastics, ensuring they are sourced responsibly and contribute to environmental and climate goals without compromising biodiversity or ecosystems in Europe and beyond.
These policy measures are critical for fostering the growth of biobased plastics. However, it's equally important to continue addressing the broader end-of-life challenges for all plastics. No plastic, regardless of its origin-whether fossil-based, recycled, or biobased-should end up in the environment.
Sustainably sourced biobased plastics are not a cure-all for every environmental challenge, but they play an important role in the broader EU strategy to combat climate change. By reducing our dependence on fossil feedstocks and utilising renewable resources, biobased plastics offer a crucial opportunity to lower the carbon footprint of products and help the EU meet its climate neutrality targets.
Having once been skeptical about the plastics sector's willingness to change I now believe that it holds a lot of potential for driving sustainable innovation and that with the right policy incentives in place, we will see the necessary investment required to take bigger steps in increasing the supply of both recycled and biobased material in the market.
Braskem is a Brazilian petrochemical company with its EU headquarters in Rotterdam. It is the world's leading biopolymers producer and has committed to produce 1 million tons of bio-based plastics by 2030. Find out more at: Braskem Europe
