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

February has been busy starting involvement in the core groups within CCA Working Groups 3 & 4 on lead markets and modernising chemical production, RCI’s attendance at the Antwerp Declaration Meeting, and advancing WG Sustainability projects SBTi standards, and recycling and WG Policy projects on quotas. Our RCI Roundtables explored end-of-life treatment for sustainable chemicals and materials (Molecule Group) and Braskem’s forthcoming roundtable will talk about Biogenic Carbon Accounting and Engagement with the SBTi (5 March). Moreover, from 24–26 February, RCI representatives were in Brussels for policy outreach, meeting with European Commission DGs and stakeholders and at the 10th European Chemistry Partnering Event (ECP).

Critical Chemicals Alliance – Kick Off Working Groups 3 and 4

RCI is a member of the European Commission’s Critical Chemicals Alliance (CCA) and actively participates in the core groups of two Working Groups:

WG 4 – Lead Markets – elaborates and assesses the impacts of market pull measures for: a) low-carbon products, defined based on their product carbon footprint; b) and sustainable-carbon products, from non-virgin fossil sources, including biomass, recycled waste, and captured CO₂ or CO. Potential measures under consideration include: minimum content requirements, fiscal incentives, earmarking of ETS revenues as well as EPR like systems to link end markets with chemical production. The first meeting of the WG took place on 13 February, followed by a first core group meeting on 19 February. RCI members and their expertise will be actively involved via WG Policy.

WG 3 – Modernisation of Chemical Production – develops measures to support the modernisation and the long-term competitiveness of chemical production in Europe. The Group will particularly focus on critical productions in Europe, starting with a pilot project on steam crackers and ammonia production developed under the Competitiveness Coordination Tool (CCT). The first meeting of the WG took place on 25 February from 11:00 to 12:30 CET, the first core group meeting is to be scheduled.

RCI Attendance at the Antwerp Declaration Meeting

RCI joined the February high-level meeting in Antwerp, which underscored a clear sense of urgency from EU political leaders to reverse de-industrialisation. For the EU chemical industry, the core message was a call to arms for competitiveness: the need to balance carbon costs (ETS/CBAM), pair free trade with fairness, and reject protectionism disguised as resilience.

Regarding the transition to renewable carbon, key takeaways included a demand for genuine market pull, such as public procurement for low-carbon products and reduced VAT for green goods. Crucially, there was strong alignment with RCI’s positions on the need for transparency in Product Carbon Footprints (PCF) and for introducing minimum circular carbon content requirements to drive demand. The push for the Industrial Accelerator Act to be delivered before the 19 March European Council will be a key test of whether these messages translate into practical action.

WG Policy

Publication of Policy Barriers for Renewable Carbon Uptake

The RCI published the report “Policy Barriers for Renewable Carbon Uptake” on 3 February. Based on internal assessment of RCI member companies and joint analysis, this report reveals existing EU legislation which creates several roadblocks for the shift from fossil to renewable carbon. The report identifies ten concrete policy barriers across seven EU frameworks, including the ETS, REDIII, PPWR and SUPD. Key findings show regulatory misalignment (creating non-level playing fields and regulatory uncertainty), outdated definitions and misleading classifications (excluding innovative, climate-friendly products from incentives and market access) and impractical administrative bureaucracy (often conflicting with industrial realities). The biggest barrier is not identified in a single regulation, but identified as the lack of coherent support for renewable carbon in the chemicals and derived materials economy.

The full report can be downloaded here: https://renewable-carbon.eu/publications/product/policy-barriers-for-renewable-carbon-uptake-rci-report-pdf/

Quotas Project – Planning Meeting

For the first time, the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) and the End-of-Life Vehicles Regulation (ELV) are discussing future quotas for bio-based plastics (European Commission, 2023). These initiatives could serve as a blueprint for introducing renewable carbon targets in additional sectors.
RCI has already published work on policy frameworks and quota concepts, but has not yet translated these into concrete recommendations or defined content targets. This project aims to explore how feasible bio-based and/or renewable carbon quotas can be derived in alignment with existing recycled content targets, and how such an approach could function as a template for other industries.

A planning meeting is proposed for 17 March at 3:00 pm CET.

WG Sustainability

RCI’s WG Sustainability met on 18 February 2026, discussing several topics on the agenda for 2026:

Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi)

RCI has been engaging with SBTI since early 2025. In December, RCI submitted feedback to the SBTi Net-Zero Standard v2.0. This year, RCI’s is looking to further continue exchange with SBTi in order to facilitate a framework that better rewards companies for the use of renewable carbon.

Recycling in LCA

RCI will take a closer look at different recycling allocation approaches in LCA (cut-off, substitution, embodied burden) to improve clarity and comparability for recycled and renewable materials. A dedicated session on 26 March will advance this work.

RCI Roundtable

The RCI Roundtable is a member-driven, one-hour discussion format enabling structured, science-based dialogue on key renewable-carbon topics.

Molecule Group (US) – Barriers for Level Playing Field and Developing a Consensus on End-of-life Treatment for Sustainable Chemicals and Materials

The last roundtable was hosted by RCI partner Molecule Group on 25 February and brought together 40 participants. Tristan Brown (SCM Workstream Lead) talked about the non-level playing field between sustainable chemicals and materials (SCM) and fuels. The presentation highlighted Molecule Group’s work on global level to incentivise the transition from fossil fuels to renewable feedstocks in the chemical sector, while identifying key challenges such as government policies, end-user uncertainty, and carbon accounting methods. The discussion explored various solutions to address these barriers, including potential mechanisms for accounting for biogenic emissions and recycling rates, with participants sharing insights on current challenges in carbon accounting and lifecycle analysis for bio-based materials.

Braskem (NL) – Biogenic Carbon Accounting and Engagement with the SBTi: A Position Paper

The next roundtable with the title “Biogenic Carbon Accounting and Engagement with the SBTi: A Position Paper” will be held by Braskem on 5 March.

As companies with sustainability targets intensify efforts to reduce their corporate emissions, the accuracy of Scope 3 GHG emissions reporting has become critical – especially in Categories 1 and 12, which cover purchased goods and end-of-life treatment. Current frameworks often overlook the climate benefits of biogenic carbon, creating inconsistencies that hinder progress toward meaningful defossilisation.

The position paper, which will be presented during the roundtable and has been circulated in advance, is the result of a collaborative workshop on 4 September 2025, with the support of the Carbon Trust. It proposes a shift to a more transparent and science-based approach to biogenic carbon accounting – one that aligns product and corporate reporting and empowers companies to fully recognise the impact of bio-based materials.

Policy Outreach and Advocacy

RCI in Brussels | 24–26 February

From 24 to 26 February, the RCI office was in Brussels for advocacy and policy outreach with European Commission Directorates-General (units of DG ENV, GROW and CLIMA) and stakeholders, discussing current priorities in policy, presenting latest RCI reports (extension of peer-reviewed LCA case studies and Policy Barriers report), and sharing RCI’s key 2026 priorities including mass balance methodology, sustainable sourcing, content targets, Carbon Flows updates, LCA recycling attribution, and engagement with the Critical Chemicals Alliance.

European Chemistry Partnering (ECP) | 4 February

RCI was represented by Anke Schwarzenberger at the 10th ECP – the First Industry Speed Dating Event in Frankfurt/Main, Germany, on 4 February 2026. The event provided a platform for innovation and collaboration through keynote speeches, workshops, and structured 20-minute partnering meetings. In this setting, Anke presented RCI’s objectives to potential new members. RCI member DAB.bio, represented by Willem-Jan Meijer, participated with a pitch.

AI Circular Economy Conference 2026 | 4 – 5 March 2026, Maternushaus, Cologne (Germany), hybrid

RCI is a partner of the nova conferences, bringing together experts and innovators shaping the future of renewable carbon and circular materials.

For the first time, the AI Circular Economy Conference 2026 takes place on 4–5 March 2026 at Maternushaus in Cologne (Germany), with a hybrid participation option.

Artificial intelligence is rapidly becoming a key enabler for the transition from fossil resources to renewable carbon sources in the chemical and materials industry. This conference will explore how advanced AI tools and applications are accelerating innovation in areas such as biomass utilisation, carbon capture and utilisation (CCU), recycling, and sustainable materials development. Participants will discover cutting-edge AI applications including AI-assisted modelling of CCU processes and catalysts, optimisation of CO₂ capture, improved waste stream sorting and feedstock analysis, and enhanced quality assurance for recycled materials.

Join leading innovators, researchers, and industry stakeholders to explore how AI is unlocking the full potential of circular and sustainable materials.

More information: https://ai-circulareconomy.eu

Source

Renewable Carbon Initiative, original text, 2026-03-02.

Supplier

Braskem
Dab.Bio
European Commission
European Council
Molecule Group
Renewable Carbon Initiative (RCI)
Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi)

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