EU industrial policy highlights biobased product markets as key priority

qiangzi

Friday, October 19, 2012
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! R2 w. M0 x  D3 `9 o# XBerlin, Germany - The European Commission’s recent communication on industrial policy highlights biobased products as a lead market triggering sustainable growth and job creation. The European Commission’s communication states that, “The biobased markets with high demand and favorable legislative framework could make a substantial contribution to the EU’s transformation into a more sustainable economy. The right legislation and framework conditions will, however, be needed to encourage uptake of renewable raw materials for industrial use.” The bioplastics industry has commercialized new biobased polymers like PLA, PTT or starch-based materials. In a second wave, commodity plastics like PE or PET are changing their raw material bases from fossil to renewable. The bioplastic portfolio covers almost everything from short-life compostable to durable engineering applications. The development is driven by leading-edge industry and demand from brands which want to innovate and address sustainability issues like climate change, explains Hasso von Pogrell, managing director of European Bioplastics. “The most relevant question for EU policy makers right now is: Where shall these investments take place? Market data from European Bioplastics reveal that the bioplastics production capacity shows its highest growth in South America and Asia.”