New report calls for science-based definition of "natural polymers" to drive innovation and green investment

Michael Carus, CEO and founder of the nova-Institute, together with Christian Bonten (IKT Stuttgart) and Abdulmalek Alazma (University of Stuttgart), has published a new paper, “Science-based Definition of Natural Polymers”, calling for an urgent review of the European Union’s current definition of “natural polymers”. The report highlights a growing gap between scientific understanding and European policy, and emphasises that the EU definition is a significant barrier to innovation, green investment and sustainability efforts.

The new nova paper examines how the EU’s interpretation under REACH conflicts with well-established scientific definitions. According to the report, the scientific literature consistently defines natural polymers as those that either occur naturally or are produced identically using biotechnological processes. Crucially, the site of polymerisation – a central element in the current EU definition – is not considered relevant in science or industry practice.

Key findings from the report:

Scientific consensus: All major scientific definitions include biotechnological processes for the production of natural polymers and exclude the location of polymerisation as a criterion.
Industrial practice: Widely accepted natural polymers, many of which are biotechnologically produced, show that industrial reality matches the scientific perspective, not current policy.
Barriers to progress: The existing definition creates barriers to innovation, green technologies and investment in renewable materials.
A call for policy reform
The nova-Institute report highlights the need for a revised, science-based definition to accelerate the transition to a sustainable, renewable carbon economy. The proposed definition is simple: “Natural polymers are those that occur in nature, are produced in and extracted from nature, or can be produced identically using biotechnological processes.”

This paper provides:

A detailed review of policy definitions and debates surrounding ‘natural polymers’.
A review of the scientific literature and real-world industrial examples.
Recommendations for updating policy to meet current scientific and business needs.

The full nova-paper is available for free download: https://renewable-carbon.eu/publications/product/nova-paper-17-science-based-definition-of-natural-polymers-pdf/