The resource transition is taking place on several fronts. One is the transition from fossil to biobased raw materials. How does that work for bioplastics? In this blog, we dive into the transition to biobased plastics, where we look at current developments and initiatives in the market.
Biobased plastics and the resource transition
The resource transition is all about using natural resources responsibly. The goal is to keep raw materials in use longer, preserve their value and avoid unnecessary loss. This calls for a shift from a linear model, in which raw materials are often lost after a single use, to a circular model, in which materials are reused again and again.
Within this resource transition, the switch from fossil-based to biobased plastics plays an important role. Biobased plastics are made from renewable resources, such as plant residues or sugars, instead of fossil raw materials such as petroleum. Thus, it helps reduce CO2 emissions and helps reduce dependence on non-renewable resources.
So-called is not just like that, so done
In circular thinking, it is important to consider the full life cycle. Here lies directly the complexity. For example, it can happen that a raw material problem may be headed toward having a circular solution, but a new problem arises a few links further down the chain, or from a different perspective. Well-known examples are plastic straws and coffee cups. These are being massively replaced by paper versions, but these are often plastic-coated. So they do not digest in the environment either. Moreover, nothing has been done to reduce litter. And so you replace one problem with another.
From fossil to biobased: a step in the right direction
The resource transition has many angles and solutions. There is no standard route to a circular economy. However, it is good to start taking steps. One of these steps is the transition from fossil-based to bio-based. This offers opportunities to reduce dependence on fossil raw materials and contribute to more sustainable material flows.
Plastic: a valuable stream
Plastic is a versatile material used in many industries. From automotive parts, such as bumpers, to packaging materials. The usefulness of plastics has been proven for many years. For example, plastics in cars reduce weight, resulting in less energy consumption. Packaging made of plastic extends the shelf life of food, reducing food waste. With biobased plastics, this valuable stream is further preserved.
Why is biobased plastic not yet the norm?
Most of all used plastic in the Netherlands is still produced new, from fossil resources. Currently, about 49% of plastic packaging in the Netherlands is recycled, while less than 1% is biobased. The answer lies in several factors: biobased production is often more expensive than fossil-based plastics. In addition, there is a lack of economies of scale and investment in production facilities, which means that the production of biobased plastics cannot compete on a large scale with that of fossil variants.
The Netherlands has set ambitious goals to increase the use of circular plastic. By 2030, 40% of plastic should be recycled and 15% biobased. This ambition is set out in the national strategy for a circular economy and focuses on reducing dependence on fossil raw materials and reducing CO2 emissions. However, research by CE Delft questions the feasibility of these ambitions. The researchers conclude that a combined target of 30% for recycled and biobased plastics is more realistic. And that ambition can be set even higher, provided that natural resources are not used exclusively for the production of biofuels (the alternative to fossil fuels), but are also used for biobased materials. In early 2022, researchers concluded that government policies are needed to increase the percentage of biobased and recycled plastics. This policy is now in place on the recycled plastic portion, known as the blending requirement.
The blending obligation
The blending obligation means that plastic producers must add a set percentage of recycled material to their products. In the Netherlands, this obligation is expected to take effect from 2027. Similar regulations are being worked on at the European level to take effect by 2030.
Biobased plastics can be a valuable addition in this context. Although the admixture obligation focuses primarily on recycled material, bio-based plastic offers an additional opportunity to further reduce dependence on fossil raw materials. The potential of plastic recycling has limits. Not all demand for plastic can be met with fully recycled plastic. After all, the quality of plastic deteriorates with recycling. A maximum of 40% of the demand for plastic can be filled with recycled plastic. The rest will have to be produced anyway, and preferably biobased. By cleverly combining recycled and biobased materials, producers can comply with regulations while contributing to more sustainable material flows.
Biobased in practice
Of course, there are other ways to reduce the proportion of fossil produced plastic. For example, to design products in such a way that they are extremely suitable for reuse: design for recycling. Another way is to let consumers take their own packaging and (re)fill it. For example, Lidl launched a 6-month pilot in October 2023 where customers in ten stores can refill their detergent at special refill stations. This initiative aims to reduce the use of plastic and offers consumers a practical way to reuse packaging.
Online supermarket Pieter Pot is virtually packaging-free and through South Holland the sustainable and sympathetic SRV trolley Potjes en Deksels drives. The international company Loop supports companies to reuse their packaging. The question remains how the total chain is set up and how often packaging is actually reused.
By 2024, several companies have joined this sustainable trend. For example, Simon Lévelt, a coffee and tea specialty store, has set a goal of reducing packaging use by half a million.
Developments in the market
The market for biobased materials, including bioplastics, has developed broadly in the Netherlands in recent years. This translates into the following:
Biobased Circular Programma
2024 saw the launch of the Biobased Circular Program (BBC), an initiative led by Green Chemistry, New Economy. This program focuses on establishing five industrial production chains for biobased materials, with the goal of accelerating the transition to climate neutral materials in the Netherlands.
Holland Bioplastics
Holland Bioplastics presented the "Action Plan Biobased Plastics", which contains concrete proposals to realize the transition to a circular economy with biobased and biodegradable plastics. The plan indicates the importance of increasing both the supply and demand for biobased materials, providing clarity about these materials, investing in processing and recycling options, and conducting sustainability campaigns.
Richer range of biobased plastic materials and products
According to the European Bioplastics “Bioplastics Market Development Update 2023”, the global production capacity of bioplastics has increased from around 2.18 million tonnes in 2023 to an expected 7.43 million tonnes in 2028. This growth is possible due to the development of new polymers such as polylactic acid (PLA), polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) and biobased polypropylene (PP), which enable a wider range of applications.
Biobased plastic: our advice
The choice for biobased seems logical. But we would like to look further with you than the reduction of CO2. If raw materials of biobased plastics compete with food production, or if forests are cut down for this, we will end up from the frying pan into the fire. Milgro uses an LCA perspective on processes, in which we consider all phases of the life cycle. Our advice is to choose secondary raw materials or biobased materials that are manufactured from residual products or waste flows from agriculture or the food industry for the production of biobased plastics.
About Milgro
Milgro wants the world to be waste-free by 2040. Together with our clients and partners, we ensure that raw materials no longer become waste, so that raw materials can be used again and again, preferably indefinitely. Towards a truly circular economy.
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