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5 November 202630 October 2026

Tomato and olive by-products become feedstock for food ingredients, cosmetics and bio-based materials: POLYMERS-5B brings its cascading biorefinery concept to Ecomondo 2026

The EU-funded project presents an enzyme-based cascading biorefinery designed to recover multiple high-value products from Mediterranean agri-food residues through a single integrated process

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Kreislaufwirtschaft bei Volkswagen: Erste Demontagelinie geht ans Netz

Seit dem Start im Januar wurden die Umbaumaßnahmen am Standort und das Genehmigungsverfahren in nur neun Monaten abgeschlossen

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BORN project completes its first year: advancing sustainable materials for the future of food packaging

BORN examines the wider use of biobased and biodegradable polymers in demanding applications

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BIOSPARK launches to strengthen Europe’s skills for the circular bioeconomy

The new Horizon Europe project will establish a network of 27 Bio-Based Education Centres to strengthen education, lifelong learning and collaboration across Europe’s bioeconomy sector

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Nein zur Kunststoffverpackungssteuer

Angesichts der Pläne für eine neue Verbrauchsteuer auf Kunststoffverpackungen wenden sich 33 Verbände, darunter die DIHK, in einer gemeinsamen Stellungnahme gegen weitere Belastungen für Unternehmen, Bürgerinnen und Bürger und das Recycling

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Taxing virgin plastic: Member States shouldn’t wait for Brussels

The circular leverage: Could a Dutch fossil plastics tax serve as Europe’s circular blueprint?

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FRF warns EU: Netherlands and Belgium will miss single-use packaging targets

It is essential to foster a level-playing field within the Union in which all Member States move towards better packaging systems, without disparities and specific Member States failing to comply with the targets and objectives of the regulation

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4 November 20262 November 2026

Stora Enso and Shanshan Technology partner to accelerate Lignode development and advance sustainable anode materials

As part of the agreement, a demonstration line for hard carbon development will be established at Shanshan Technology’s facility in Ningbo, China

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Stora Enso und Shanshan Technology gehen eine Partnerschaft ein, um die Entwicklung von Lignode zu beschleunigen und nachhaltige Anodenmaterialien voranzutreiben

Im Rahmen der Vereinbarung wird in der Anlage von Shanshan Technology in Ningbo, China, eine Demonstrationsanlage für die Entwicklung von Hartkohle-Anodenmaterialien errichtet

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Monthly News from the Renewable Carbon Initiative (RCI), October 2026

October Highlights: Publication of the Carbon Flows Report 2026 Update; Biotech Act II Workshop, 2nd GA of the CCA, RCI General Assembly 2026

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Why a circular economy is increasingly crucial and profitable

The International Resource Panel (IRP), established by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), examines interactions between sustainability and natural resource use

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MOFs: turning porous materials into industrial solutions

At AIMPLAS, the researchers experienced in nanoparticle modification and integration into polymer matrices, opened new possibilities for incorporating MOFs

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Panama wird 2028 den ersten Globalen Bioökonomie-Gipfel in Lateinamerika ausrichten und seine einzigartige Biodiversität hervorheben

Zum ersten Mal wird diese Veranstaltung in Lateinamerika und der Karibik stattfinden, welche etwa 50% der weltweiten Biodiversität und 23% der Wälder des Planeten beherbergen

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Panama to host the first Global Bioeconomy Summit in Latin America in 2028, highlighting its unique biodiversity

The first time the event is held in Latin America and the Caribbean, which host about 50% of the world’s biodiversity and 23% of the planet’s forests

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Keeping The Kiln Turning

Commercial reliability for biochar production begins with matching the equipment to the material and to the operating hours expected of it

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3 November 202630 October 2026

ReTraCC: Austria’s Flagship Project Takes on the Circular Carbon Economy

The new FFG-funded project brings together more than 30 partners from research, services and industry to transform Austria’s carbon value network, with nova-Institute contributing its expertise and a pan-European perspective

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New nova Talk Episode: Cellulose Solvent Recovery (FREE Webinar)

10 December 2026, 13:00-14:30 CET, free and online

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DITF are developing bio-based binding fibers for wood fiber insulation materials

In addition to the spinning process and the production of suitable staple fibers, the institute is also investigating how wood and cellulose fibers can be separated and recycled at the end of their useful life

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DITF entwickeln biobasierte Bindefasern für Holzfaserdämmstoffe

Neben dem Spinnprozess und der Herstellung geeigneter Stapelfasern untersucht das Institut auch, wie sich Holz- und Cellulosefasern am Ende der Nutzungsdauer trennen und stofflich verwerten lassen

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Greenwashing Directive: Impact on the Plastics Industry

This article summarises what is changing, the current status of transposition in Spain and which claims companies should review in relation to their products and activities

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UC Davis, Mango Materials Partner to Advance Affordable Bioplastics from Methane

What if the methane from landfills and wastewater treatment plants could become an affordable raw material for sustainable plastics?  

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Phytinsäure ist biobasiert und überraschend vielseitig

Eigentlich suchte ein Forschungsteam vor allem ein biobasiertes Flammschutzmittel – doch es fand weit mehr

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Bioeconomy: Commission launches public consultation on bio-based feedstock in plastic packaging

The feedback process will remain open until 13 January 2027

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Bioökonomie: Kommission leitet öffentliche Konsultation zu biobasierten Rohstoffen in Kunststoffverpackungen ein

Das Feedback-Verfahren bleibt bis zum 13. Januar 2027 offen

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2 November 202628 October 2026

Last Chance to Submit Your Abstract: CO₂-based Fuels and Chemicals Conference 2027

Call for Abstracts closes 16 Nov 2026

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Letzte Chance Beiträge einzureichen: CO₂-based Fuels and Chemicals Conference 2027

Beiträge können bis zum 16. November eingereicht werden

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Bio-based Europe Alliance launches to accelerate market uptake of sustainable bio-based solutions

Over 100 stakeholders have already joined the Alliance

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Allianz für ein biobasiertes Europa startet, um die Markteinführung nachhaltiger biobasierter Lösungen zu beschleunigen

Über 100 Interessenvertreter sind der Allianz bereits beigetreten

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Harnessing AI for the Bioeconomy, Part 3: Smarter Biobased Supply Chains

This article looks at current thinking on how artificial intelligence (AI) can transform the sourcing, logistics, processing and traceability of biobased value chains

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Next-generation resins: Michelin ResiCare establishes its first production line for a new bio-based molecule in Nesle

Michelin ResiCare Reaches a new milestone in the industrialization of its innovative bio-based resins with the establishment of a first Industrial production line for Its DragonFly project in Nesle

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Kunststoffe im Wandel – Transformation unter Druck

Wie die Kunststoffindustrie die grüne Transformation im Krisenmodus steuert

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Sustainable materials that help slow fire spread and reduce smoke in the event of a fire

AIMPLAS’s various research lines include sustainable flame retardants for paints, varnishes and plastic materials, such as those developed in the PHOSFIRE project

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Understanding the Production Process of Methanol: Routes, Inputs, and the Shift to Green Methanol

Methanol's cost, carbon footprint and supply security all trace back to how it is made, so the production process matters to producers, buyers and policymakers alike

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30 October 202628 October 2026

Join CIRCONOMY workshop “Connecting the Loops across European Circular Economy Projects”: Collaborate with European Projects to Advance the Circular Economy!

How can European projects connect their work to support the transition towards a circular economy?

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A New Approach to Sustainable Plastics

Hereon researchers improve the environmental footprint of polystyrene through innovative material additives

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Neuer Ansatz für nachhaltige Kunststoffe

Hereon-Forschende verbessern Ökobilanz von Polystyrol durch verschiedene Materialzugaben

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Evonik, Toyotsu Chemiplas and Sanyo Chemical launch polyurethane recycling initiative in Japan

The partners aim to convert discarded foam into recycled polyols and amines for use in new polyurethane products

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Parkdale Mills Acquires CiCLO® Technology

Acquisition expands Parkdale's investment in advanced fiber technology and supports growth into new markets

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Recognition for algae-based black pigment

Algae Black has been used for diverse applications including Stella McCartney runway apparel and Waiakea Volcanic Bottled Water printed labels

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Copper d-orbital regulation enables direct coupling of CO2 with NO2 for selective urea electrosynthesis

A catalyst that uses isolated copper atoms on titanium carbide to help turn carbon dioxide and nitrate into urea

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29 October 202628 October 2026

Two Weeks to Go: Advanced Recycling Needs Collaboration More Than Ever

Advanced Recycling Conference (ARC) on 17–18 November 2026 in Cologne, Germany and online

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nova’s experts (re)introduced: Dr Matthias Stratmann

Head of the Sustainability Department, helping organisations, strategic workshops, renewable carbon and circular material cycles

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GeZero: Implementation of the CO₂ capture project paused – Geseke site remains important

The CO₂ transport and storage infrastructure solutions are yet not at an acceptable level of economic risk

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GeZero: Umsetzung des CO₂-Abscheideprojekts pausiert – Standort Geseke bleibt von großer Bedeutung

Lösungen für die CO2-Transport- und Speicherinfrastruktur dürften nicht rechtzeitig und mit einem nicht akzeptablen wirtschaftlichen Risiko zur Verfügung stehen

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Triton Group and TenCate Partner to Turn Retired Turf Fields Into Railroad Ties

The Triton Tie is a glass fiber-reinforced composite railroad tie as a one-for-one replacement for wood ties

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As Europe accelerates electrification, ALCHEMHY advances flexible ammonia and methanol production

New materials, reactor concepts and digital models address a timely industrial challenge: how to use renewable electricity and hydrogen when supply and prices fluctuate

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Forschung für die Circular Economy: »Kreislaufwirtschaft scheitert selten an der Idee – sondern an Daten, Logistik und der Bereitschaft zur Veränderung«

Dr. Markus Hiebel und Jan-Philip Kopka vom Fraunhofer CCPE unterstützen gemeinsam Unternehmen dabei, wissenschaftliche Erkenntnisse in praxistaugliche Lösungen für die Kreislaufwirtschaft zu überführen

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Research for the Circular Economy: “The circular economy rarely fails because of the concept itself – but rather because of data, logistics, and the willingness to change.”

Dr. Markus Hiebel and Jan-Philip Kopka at the Fraunhofer CCPE support companies in translating scientific findings into practical solutions for the circular economy

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The Chinese Tech Giants driving biobased demand

Some of the biggest biomaterials buyers in the world are Chinese consumer manufacturers, collaboration could offer a major break for biomaterials in the world’s top EV production line

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28 October 20263 November 2026

Save the date: Renewable Materials Conference 2027

28–30 September 2027, Maternushaus, Cologne, Germany