Monthly news from the Renewable Carbon Initiative (RCI), July 2025

This month, marks the successful launch of the RCI Roundtable – a new member-led format designed to deepen science-based dialogue and tackle shared challenges. From constructive exchanges with the Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi), to lots of developments in EU policy, the RCI community is driving and encountering real momentum.

RCI Roundtable Kicked Off: New Member-Driven Format for Open Exchange

RCI kicked off a new internal Roundtable discussion format created by and for members. Designed to facilitate internal exchange and cooperation, the Roundtable provides a dedicated space to tackle pressing questions around renewable carbon of high interest to RCIs members.

The first session, hosted by Econic Technologies on 16 July, encountered engaging discussions on the definition of renewable carbon and the relevancy of an official definition – by legislation – to drive innovation in sustainable chemicals.

As a pilot initiative, we expect the Roundtable to evolve based on member feedback and topic relevance, potentially also involving external stakeholders where relevant. It is a new opportunity to shape dialogue, exchange know-how, and strengthen collaboration across the RCI community.

The next Roundtable session is already scheduled for September, focusing on the Ecoinvent database update (from v3.10 to 3.11) and its major impact on the carbon footprint of bio-based materials due to a change in calculation methods.

RCI-internal workshop with SBTi 

On 17 July, RCI hosted a workshop with the Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi), focusing on the proposed updates to the Corporate Net-Zero Standard v2.0 and their relevance for the renewable carbon community. Key focus was on developing a clear understanding of current SBTi thinking, and how the concept of renewable carbon might be included.

The importance of recognising embedded carbon in products, especially in the chemical sector, was underlined. Mass balance and book & claim systems will be temporarily accepted as transitional solutions, recognising the practical limits of full traceability in complex value chains. Companies must remove any residual emissions by their net-zero target year, in line with new durability criteria. Some inconsistencies between SBTi and the Greenhouse Gas Protocol were discussed – particularly around biogenic and recycled carbon – posing challenges for companies working with renewable carbon. 

Dialogue with SBTi and RCI will continue. If you are not an RCI member and interest in exchange, SBTi will host a workshop at the Renewable Materials Conference on 22 September.

Significant drive in the EU regulatory framework

In June and July, the RCI submitted input to ongoing public consultations on the EU Bioeconomy Strategy Update, EU ETS revision and the Industrial Decarbonisation Accelerator Act, advocating for stronger incentives to shift from fossil to renewable carbon in chemicals and materials. All of these regulatory files are looking into facilitating the use of renewable carbon via different approaches.

And there is a lot more to come. On 8 July, the European Commission presented an Action Plan for the Chemicals Industry to strengthen the competitiveness and modernisation of the EU chemical sector. The Action Plan addresses key challenges, namely high energy costs, unfair global competition, and weak demand, while promoting investment in innovation and sustainability. As a particular highlight, the Action Plan clearly commits to the defossilisation of the chemical sector by facilitating a shift to bio-based, CCU-based and recycled carbon.

Find more information about the Action Plan’s proposed measures here: https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_25_1755

Finally, long-going discussions on „calculating, verifying and reporting on recycled plastic content in single-use plastic beverage bottles“ in light of an SUPD Implementing Decision have finally achieved a status where the EC is looking for public feedback. This document is of high relevance due to establishing rules for chemical recycling and mass balance.

Selected ambassador activities

• 31 July, Interview – CCU and electrochemistry – University of Amsterdam
• 21/22 July, 3^rd International Summit on Biopolymers and Polymer Science: 
• 8-9 July: Several workshops on financing the scale-up, improving the circularity and securing sustainable supply for the bioeconomy.

Source

Renewable Carbon Initiative (RCI), original text, 2025-08-05.

Supplier

European Commission
European Union
Renewable Carbon Initiative (RCI)
Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi)
University of Amsterdam (UvA)

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