Monthly news from the Renewable Carbon Initiative (RCI), September 2026

In September, we submitted an Open Letter to DG GROW and the CCA Steering Group on the Alliance’s next phase. The issue also includes policy updates on the Biotech Act II, PPWR, public procurement, and cascading use, as well as updates on RCI projects, the Renewable Materials Conference, member and partner news, including welcoming Supercritical Solutions as a new RCI member. The RCI General Assembly 2026 will take place in Cologne on 3–4 November, with members discussing and voting on RCI’s activities for 2027.

Open Letter to DG GROW and the CCA Steering Group: Shaping the Alliance’s Next Phase

Ahead of the Critical Chemicals Alliance’s (CCA) General Assembly on 8^th October, RCI and other stakeholders have published an open letter to DG GROW and the CCA Steering Group, reflecting on the first working cycle and suggesting how to strengthen the next one. While acknowledging the CCA’s achievements, the letter calls for more systematic attention to renewable carbon pathways (bio-based, recycled-carbon and CO₂-based), broader participation of downstream brands, feedstock providers, SMEs and NGOs, and stronger links between CCA outputs and EU policy files. RCI and the co-signatories are not calling for a pause in implementing the CCA’s results so far, but for a stronger process going forward.

Read the full letter, “Reflections on the CCA Process”: https://renewable-carbon.eu/publications/product/reflections-on-the-cca-process/

Stakeholder Workshop on Biotech Act II | WG Policy

The European Commission’s DG GROW will hold a stakeholder workshop on the Biotech Act II on 12 October 2026, from 14:30–17:30, in Brussels and online. The workshop will provide an update on the preparation of the proposal, which will focus on industrial biotechnology and biomanufacturing across industrial ecosystems.

The Biotech Act II is expected to be an important initiative for strengthening EU industrial competitiveness in biotechnology and biomanufacturing and could play a significant role in supporting the transition towards renewable carbon.

The workshop will be held in a hybrid format. While the limited on-site places have now been filled on a first-come, first-served basis, online participation remains available. Registration is open until 5 October 2026. The detailed agenda and WebEx link will be provided to registered participants following the registration deadline.

Registration: https://ec.europa.eu/eusurvey/runner/216930ed-e7e3-0599-54ed-6f5e04e425e8

PPWR Public Consultation | WG Policy

RCI submitted its response to the PPWR Call for Evidence on 14 September, highlighting the importance of clear Mass Balance rules that enable recycling technologies beyond mechanical recycling while ensuring appropriate safeguards and avoiding disadvantages for dedicated bio-based solutions.

Revision of the Public Procurement Directive | WG Policy

The group identified opportunities to strengthen support for bio-based products and renewable carbon in public procurement. In addition to the legal framework, practical guidance and training for public procurement officials will be important. RCI will continue exploring the development of a position on this topic.

Cascading Use | WG Policy

The WG Policy discussed how cascading use could be better supported, including possible criteria, transparency requirements and incentives. The group also considered potential risks of overly rigid rules and looked at approaches from other regions, including Japan, Canada and the UK.

Finalising RCI Projects started in 2025

Two flagship RCI projects are entering their final phase, with publications expected in the coming weeks.

Balancing Biomass Production and Biodiversity Protection for the Bioeconomy: Commissioned by RCI and carried out by nova-Institute with KIELS and Peterson Solutions, this project identifies best-practice measures to reconcile biodiversity protection with sustainable biomass production. The analysis shows that the two goals are not inherently conflicting: compatibility depends on management design, spatial planning and time perspective. Initial results were presented to EU and national policy-makers in a webinar on 9 September.

Carbon Flows Update 2026 (Second Edition): This update of the global and European supply and demand of fossil and renewable carbon for chemicals and derived materials introduces an improved platform-flow/carbon-balance methodology that traces carbon from feedstock to final product and avoids double counting. It builds on CEFIC, IEA and nova/RCI bio-based data, with 2023 as the reference year.

Both reports will be published soon.

General Assembly 2026

RCI’s annual General Assembly will take place in Cologne on 3 and 4 November 2026 at the Hyatt Regency Cologne.

The General Assembly brings RCI members together to review the initiative’s activities and discuss priorities for the year ahead. A key focus of this year’s meeting will be RCI’s activities and projects for 2027.

The submission period for proposals has now closed, and RCI has received a range of ideas and suggestions from its members. These proposals are currently being compiled and will be circulated to members ahead of the meeting for review and discussion.

The General Assembly will also provide an opportunity for RCI members to present relevant projects, developments and insights to the RCI community.

RCI at the Renewable Materials Conference

The Renewable Materials Conference (22–24 September, Siegburg near Cologne) brought together 365 participants from 26 countries, from large enterprises and brands to research institutes, start-ups, SMEs, NGOs, policymakers and investors. RCI was present with its booth, as every year, and hosted two workshops: one on raising awareness of renewable carbon, covering global developments and communication (23 September), and one on the Carbon Flows Update 2026 (24 September).

The audience also voted on the Renewable Material of the Year 2026 innovation award. First place went to RCI member Viridi (UK) for Vireya™, the world’s first anionic surfactant made using upcycled CO₂. Second place went to AeoniQ (CH) for a new cellulosic man-made filament yarn, and third to Kemira (FI) for renewable polymer technology for wastewater treatment. Congratulations to all three winners.

New RCI Member | Supercritical Solutions (UK)

Supercritical Solutions (UK) is the newest member of the RCI. The startup Supercritical uses high-pressure electrochemistry to turn water and carbon-rich waste streams into hydrogen and sustainable chemicals. One core reactor, tuned for different applications, helps industrial partners reduce complexity, unlock more value on-site, and build stronger economics into the shift beyond fossil fuels.

Defossilisation Made Visible: Why OK Renewable Is Becoming the Reference Label for Renewable Carbon Products

The OK renewable scheme, independently verified by TÜV AUSTRIA, offers a single label that quantifies the Renewable Carbon Share of a product: the proportion of its carbon that comes from biomass, captured carbon or recycled carbon rather than virgin fossil resources. One quantified share gives companies and their stakeholders a common basis for product-level communication.

A distinctive feature is that the scheme combines segregated and mass-balance chain-of-custody approaches, so integrated chemical production can take part in the transition while traceability and independent verification are preserved. This matters given the EU Empowering Consumers Directive (EmpCo) and growing scrutiny of environmental claims, as companies need evidence-based statements that withstand regulatory review. The share also helps demonstrate progress towards Scope 3 reductions and long-term defossilisation strategies.

Follow RCI companies such as BASF and IFF and get in touch with TÜV Austria if you want your products certified!

Member News – Congratulations to Syklo on their milestone!

Syklo’s factory complex unique on a world scale will produce high-quality recycled plastic pellets and biocomposite. The plant alone raises Finland’s plastic recycling capacity by 50%.

Syklo’s EUR 70-80 million circular economy hub started its operations on 9 September 2026. Sykloplast recycled plastic pellets and Syklocomp biocomposite can be utilised in demanding applications in vehicle, packaging and electronic industries.

The hub combines Finland’s largest plastic recycling plant with an industrial-scale biocomposite facility. The total investment is 70–80 million euros, making it unique on an international level.

The plastic recycling plant can process 50,000 tonnes of plastic waste every year. This is material that would otherwise be incinerated or sent to landfill. The plant alone raises Finland’s plastic recycling capacity by 50%. It also cuts Finland’s calculated greenhouse gas emissions by more than 100,000 tonnes of CO₂eq per year.

Find out more: https://renewable-carbon.eu/news/syklos-factory-complex-unique-on-a-world-scale-will-produce-high-quality-recycled-plastic-pellets-and-biocomposite/

Partner Event – Advanced Recycling Conference (ARC)

The Advanced Recycling Conference (ARC) brings together industry leaders, technology providers, researchers, investors and policy-makers to discuss how innovative recycling can help close carbon loops, strengthen raw-material resilience and meet ambitious EU recycling targets.

This year’s program covers plastics and polymer recycling, with a special focus on textiles and PVC. Dedicated sessions look at key technologies such as dissolution, depolymerisation, pyrolysis and thermochemical recycling, as well as digitalisation, financing and the scale-up of commercial solutions. With nearly 300 participants, ARC has become a key international meeting point for the sector.

Full program and information: https://advanced-recycling.eu