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16 January 202615 January 2026

Innovative Start-Ups Honored at the ISC3 Innovation Challenge 2025 – Power2Polymers from Germany wins top prize

After a close jury decision, Power2Polymers from Germany secured the ISC3 Innovation Challenge Award 2025, endowed with €15,000, for more sustainable and high-performance polymer products for specialty applications, enabling product carbon footprint reduction by 40%

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Innovative Jungunternehmen bei der ISC3 Innovation Challenge 2025 ausgezeichnet – Power2Polymers aus Deutschland gewinnt Hauptpreis

Nach einer engen Juryentscheidung sicherte sich Power2Polymers aus Deutschland den ISC3 Innovation Challenge Award 2025, dotiert mit 15.000 Euro, für nachhaltigere und leistungsstarke Polymerprodukte für Spezialanwendungen, die den Produkt-CO₂-Fußabdruck um bis zu 40 Prozent reduzieren können

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15 January 202612 January 2026

Microorganisms and viruses to accelerate the biodegradation of bioplastics

The project not only has a positive environmental impact but also great practical value for businesses and waste management plants

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Henkel Joins GIC to Drive Chemical Value Chain Transformation

New partnership connects chemical producers with downstream leader to deliver circular, low-emission solutions

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14 January 20268 January 2026

Toxin-to-treasure: Chonnam National University scientists use engineered enzyme to turn formaldehyde pollutant into high-value chemical

The study demonstrates engineered aldolase-catalyzed regioselective conversion of formaldehyde into L-glyceraldehyde

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Muoto punnet for fresh fruits, berries and vegetables

The new product is part of Metsä Spring's Muoto Uncoated Fibre Series, which includes uncoated fibre packaging

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Overshoot: Rückkehr zu 1,5°C erfordert netto-negative Emissionsziele 

Für klimapolitische Vorreiter wie die Europäische Union (EU) bedeutet dies, dass »Netto-Null« nicht mehr als Endpunkt, sondern nur als Übergangspunkt auf dem Weg zu netto-negati­ven THG-Emissionen betrachtet werden muss, begleitet von der Entwicklung neuer politischer Instrumente

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Overshoot: Returning to 1.5°C Requires Net-negative Emissions Targets 

For frontrunners such as the European Union (EU), this will require reframing “net-zero” as a transitional stage towards net-negative GHG emissions, and developing policy instruments that are able to deliver this

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13 January 202612 January 2026

Driving Sustainable Transformation Through Data: How Digital Twins and Data Spaces Reshape the Process Industry

Interview with Rosario Othen & Florian Pohlmeyer, RWTH Aachen University (ITA)

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PerPlacsBio Launched: Biodegradable Plastics Transform Agriculture and Forestry

University of Münster, Rottenburg University of Applied Forest Sciences and the nova-Institute launch PerPlacsBio project – Exploring bio-based and biodegradable plastics for agriculture and forestry

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PerPlacsBio gestartet: Biologisch abbaubare Kunststoffe revolutionieren Land- und Forstwirtschaft

Universität Münster, Hochschule Rottenburg und das nova-Institut starten PerPlacsBio: Bio-basierte und biologisch abbaubare Kunststoffe für Landwirtschaft und Forstwirtschaft im Fokus

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The world of natural biopolymers

AIMPLAS has been working for many years on the processing and functionalisation of natural polymers, using a wide range of technologies and different coatings

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UPM unlocks new bio-based markets as Leuna biorefinery produces its first commercial product

Consumer brands are interested in renewable materials that offer significant CO2saving potential

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UPM Biochemicals: Kommerzielle Produktion von Industrie-Zuckern in der Bioraffinerie Leuna gestartet – Einsatzmöglichkeiten in der Kunststoffindustrie 

Nach Angaben des Unternehmens besteht insbesondere bei Konsumgüterherstellern Interesse an Materialien mit deutlichem CO₂-Einsparpotenzial

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Why Thailand became Asia’s rising biobased star

We look at why biomanufacturing has flourished in Thailand and the investments that have put the Southeast Asian nation on the map

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£6.23 Million in Funding for Celtic Renewables from Scottish Government

Celtic Renewables will put the funding towards the planning and construction of a new £120 million industrial-scale biorefinery at Grangemouth

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12 January 20269 January 2026

The perfect plastic? Plant-based, fully saltwater degradable, zero microplastics

RIKEN-researchers in Japan report a new type of plastic made from plant cellulose, the world’s most abundant organic compound

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Der perfekte Kunststoff?

Auf Pflanzenbasis, vollständig in Salzwasser abbaubar, kein Mikroplastik

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Monthly News from the Renewable Carbon Initiative (RCI), December 2025

December Highlights: RCI is New Member of the Critical Chemicals Alliance, OK renewable Label, Upcoming Exciting Projects, New Partner Molecule Group (US), Upcoming 10th ECP

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Aviation Fuel Production from Tomato Residues: TU Graz Coordinates Visionary EU project

Residual biomass from tomato production is turned into climate-friendly aviation fuel. The aim of the EU ToFuel project is to develop a waste-free and CO₂-neutral biorefinery concept that produces sustainable and economically competitive aviation fuel

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Flugzeugtreibstoff aus Tomatenresten: TU Graz koordiniert visionäres EU-Projekt

Restbiomasse aus der Tomatenproduktion wird zu klimafreundlichem Flugkraftstoff: Ziel des EU-Projekts ToFuel ist ein abfallfreies und CO₂-neutrales Bioraffineriekonzept, bei dem nachhaltiger und wirtschaftlich konkurrenzfähiger Flugkraftstoff entsteht

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Mycelium-Based Biomaterials

Mycelium-based composites (MBCs) have emerged as a novel and disruptive class of biomaterials and mycelium transforms low-value organic byproducts into biodegradable, structurally robust materials with foam-like properties

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Circulose and Birla Cellulose Announce Partnership Agreement to Advance Circular Textiles

Circulose will supply pulp made with 100% recycled textile waste to Birla Cellulose, and Birla will produce viscose staple fiber made with CIRCULOSE® pulp

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9 January 20266 January 2026

Spotlight on Formic Acid 

A synthetic key enzyme enables the conversion of CO₂ into raw materials via formic acid

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Ameisensäure im Fokus

Ein künstliches Schlüssel-Enzym eröffnet die Umwandlung von CO2 über Ameisensäure zu Rohstoffen

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GS Biomats at EBC25: Accelerating FDCA Toward Industrial-Scale Bioeconomy Solutions

GS Biomats’ recent invitation to the European Bioplastics Conference 2025 highlights growing industry recognition of its work

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Torffrei gärtnern, Klima schützen: BMLEH fördert Alternativen zu torfhaltiger Blumenerde im Hobbygartenbau mit 750.000 Euro

Das Projekt, das auf den Erkenntnissen eines erfolgreichen Vorgängerprojekts aufbaut, wird über die Fachagentur Nachwachsende Rohstoffe (FNR) vom 1. Januar 2026 bis zum 30. September 2027 umgesetzt

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8 January 202627 December 2025

Innovation center for textile circular economy inaugurated

DICE is to become the leading national and international innovation and demonstration center for research and development of environmentally friendly processes for the production of chemical pulp

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Innovationszentrum für textile Kreislaufwirtschaft eingeweiht

Das DICE will das national und international führende Innovations- und Demonstrationszentrum für die Erforschung und Entwicklung umweltfreundlicher Prozesse zur Herstellung von Chemiezellstoff werden

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Solinatra and Paques Biomaterials partner to advance biopolymer compounding for sustainable Single-Use Plastic applications

Under the agreement, Paques Biomaterials will supply PHBV biopolymers for use in Solinatra’s material portfolio, following a phased joint development programme from lab validation through industrial pilots

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Ultrapolymers: Neue Pipette aus Biokunststoff für Medizin und Pharma – Kooperation mit elm-plastic und Biovox

Die Kooperation kombiniert Material-, Verarbeitungs- und Anwendungskompetenz und ermöglicht eine marktreife Lösung

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Breakthrough in bio-composite recycling: from post-consumer waste into lactic acid – at scale

The closed-loop pilot from TripleW and Sulapac also shows that the transition from single-use to reusable cups can be achieved in a circular manner without relying on fossil-based plastics

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Internationale Studie zeigt: Kreislaufwirtschaft steht nicht immer für mehr Nachhaltigkeit

Ohne gezielte Planung können Wiederverwendung und Recycling höhere Emissionen in der Lieferkette verursachen als das Neudesign von Produkten: Zu diesem Ergebnis kommt eine von der Freien Universität Bozen koordinierte internationale Studie, in die 1.599 Unternehmen weltweit eingebunden waren

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7 January 202620 December 2025

UPM launches UPM Circular Renewable Black- the first bio-based, NIR-detectable, carbon-negative pigment for premium packaging

UPM’s new pigment is derived from renewable lignin and certified by third-party standards, has full NIR detectability for efficient recycling and a carbon-negative footprint

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Leading fashion brands step up to unlock the next chapter of Circulose

Several leading fashion brands are now partnering with Circulose to part from a proven, scalable solution for replacing virgin cellulose fibers such as viscose and lyocell

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6 January 202619 December 2025

CO2-Sync outlines biochar and energy plant for Ridge Road 

In Utah, CO2-Sync uses beetle-killed forests as its biomass, in other areas, different types of biomass are used, including rice husks in Thailand and camel dung in Dubai

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An interview with Takashi Matsumoto, Business Director AGC Vinythai. “The bioeconomy can have a real impact on how we make and consume products in Asia”

With a total potential of nearly 80 million tons agricultural feedstock per year, the bioeconomy presents a real opportunity for Thailand

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5 January 202618 December 2025

Microplastics: European Parliament requests scientific advice from EFSA 

EFSA found that microplastics can be released through the use of food contact materials, though at much lower levels than some studies suggest

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Melt&Marble Secures €7M to Scale Designer Fats in Beauty and Food 

The new funding will take Melt&Marble from demo to market-ready, with its first ingredients set for commercial launch in personal care applications in 2026

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19 December 202518 December 2025

Green electronics: Smart sensor tag protects sensitive goods

Commonly, researchers from Empa, EPFL and CSEM have developed in a four-year project a biodegradable, smart sensor tag from cellulose that measures the temperature and relative humidity

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Grüne Elektronik: Smarte Etikette schützt empfindliche Güter

Gemeinsam haben Forschende der Empa, der EPFL und des CSEM in einem vierjährigen Projekt eine smarte und biologisch abbaubare Etikette auf Cellulosebasis entwickelt, die Temperatur und die relative Luftfeuchtigkeit misst

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And the winner is …

The first prize of the European Bioplastics Innovation Award 2025 was awarded to Celanese (in cooperation with Bio4Life). The runner ups were Futamura (UK) and Repaq (Germany) (2nd) and arweco (Germany) (3rd)

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18 December 202516 December 2025

€170.7 million for new bio-based innovations

The 2026 work programme introduces 13 topics ranging from industrial flagship biorefineries to research actions that strengthen feedstock diversification, circular design, biotech scale-up and market uptake

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Andreas Künkel Receives The Meyer-Galow Award For Business Chemistry 2025

Biodegradable polymers play a crucial role in the production of sustainable products and thus in a functioning circular economy

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Bioabbaubare Polymere: Andreas Künkel erhält den Meyer-Galow-Preis für Wirtschaftschemie 2025

Biologisch abbaubare Polymere spielen eine wichtige Rolle bei der Herstellung nachhaltiger Produkte und damit für eine funktionierende Kreislaufwirtschaft

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Futerro officially submits permit applications for its future biorefinery in Port-Jérôme-sur-Seine

With this submission, Futerro initiates the necessary administrative process for the establishment of its integrated biorefinery, the first of its kind in Europe

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17 December 202515 December 2025

Understanding the Trade Impacts of Sustainability Certification: Insights from the STAR4BBS White Paper

The White Paper is based on a systematic review of 563 publications, of which 21 quantitative studies met the criteria for detailed assessment

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Michelin, IFPEN, and Axens Announce Successful Progress in BioButterfly™ R&D Project: the most mature technology to produce biobased butadiene from bioethanol

Michelin, IFPEN, and Axens are pleased to announce significant advancements in the BioButterfly™ project, supported by ADEME, Région Nouvelle Aquitaine and Bordeaux Metropole, which aims to produce bio-based butadiene from bioethanol

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Lignin wird zu wertvollen Amiden – Forschenden gelingt nachhaltiger Durchbruch

Wichtige Bausteine für Arzneimittel, Agrochemikalien und moderne Materialien werden durch diese Rohbiomasse unter Anwendung verschiedener katalytischer Verfahren gewonnen

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China’s chemical giants invest in biomanufacturing

China’s bioeconomy moves from startup to scaleup