12 May 20266 May 2026 BlueAlp and BioBTX Partner to Advance Circular Aromatics from Plastic Waste The goal is to combine the technologies in the BioBTX plant in Delfzijl to convert hard-to-recycle mixed plastic waste into high-value circular aromatics
11 May 20268 May 2026 Direct Air Capture, e-Methanol and CO2 Electrolysis Technologies Win “Best CO2 Utilisation 2026” Innovation Award Three pioneering CCU and Power-to-X technologies recognised by live audience vote at the CO2-based Fuels and Chemicals Conference 2026
Direct Air Capture, e-Methanol und CO2-Elektrolysetechnologien gewinnen den Innovationspreis „Best CO2 Utilisation 2026“ Drei wegweisende CCU- und Power-to-X-Technologien wurden durch eine Live-Abstimmung des Publikums auf der CO₂-based Fuels and Chemicals Conference 2026 ausgezeichnet
Futamura and BIOPAP Advance Compostable Food Service Solutions Together, the companies have developed functional compostable packaging, derived from renewable raw materials with the most practical end-of-life
Futamura und BIOPAP treiben kompostierbare Lösungen für Gastronomiebetriebe voran Gemeinsam haben die Unternehmen funktionelle kompostierbare Verpackungen entwickelt, die aus nachwachsenden Rohstoffen mit dem praktischsten Lebensende stammen
A new textile-to-textile recycling process validated on an industrial scale Axens, IFPEN and JEPLAN have completed a recycling loop for polyester textiles
EU Single Use Plastics Directive & Natural Polymers Opportunities to redefine natural polymers for a competitive European Bioeconomy
Synergistic pretreatment: hybrid strategies for maximum lignocellulose valorization This review provides a comparative analysis of three emerging pretreatment technologies: hydrothermal (HTP), microwave-assisted (MWP), and ball milling (BM)
8 May 20267 May 2026 Free Webinar: The next 12 months matter – shape EU policy and renewable chemicals with RCI Calling start-ups, brands, SMEs and large enterprises – become part of RCI to help build a resilient, independent and thriving circular economy
ECCO introduces first shoe featuring innovative protein-based fibre By upcycling leather offcuts into premium textile fibres, ECCO and Spinnova have developed a circular solution that preserves material integrity, reduces waste, and creates new possibilities for footwear and textiles
Foamlab raises 3m EUR growth capital to build pilot plant and scale bio-based foams From soft, textile-like foams to rigid, structural solutions, Foamlab enables high-performance applications with minimal environmental impact
Industry appeal: ‘Transformation boosters’ for the circular economy An alliance of the chemical, plastics and recycling industries is urging the German government to take swift political action in an open letter
Industrie braucht Rückenwind für die Transformation – jetzt „Transformationsbooster“ für Kreislaufwirtschaft einleiten Ein breites, branchenübergreifendes Bündnis aus Chemie-, Kunststoff- und Recyclingindustrie richtet sich mit einem offenen Brief an die Bundesregierung, wobei es sich nachdrücklich für einen entschlossenen „Transformationsbooster“ für die Kreislaufwirtschaft ausspricht
EU Approves €5 Billion German and Czech Carbon Removal, Green Fuel Plans The German scheme will support measures for the permanent and extensive rewetting of peatlands while the Czech aid scheme is designed to support the production of sustainable biomethane for transportation
7 May 20265 May 2026 An interview with Philippe Mengal, executive director of BIC. “The bioeconomy is not just about replacing fossil carbon. It is about redefining Europe’s place in the global economy The next five years will determine whether Europe leads the bioeconomy, or imports it
Developing biowaste coatings to boost CO2-to-fuel conversion One of the most promising routes for diversifying fuel production from crude oil is using renewable electricity for electrochemical conversion of carbon dioxide (CO2) into high-value products
Research project investigates continued biodegradation of compostable plastics in soil The German Austrian joint project seeks to gain scientifically sound insights into how fast fragments from compostable plastic films biodegrade in the environmen
Forschungsprojekt untersucht fortgesetzten biologischen Abbau kompostierbarer Kunststoffe im Boden Das deutsch-österreichische Partnerprojekt will wissenschaftlich fundierte Erkenntnisse darüber gewinnen, wie schnell sich Fragmente aus zertifiziert kompostierbaren Kunststofffolien im Boden biologisch abbauen
PHAs are natural and fit within the Commission’s vision of a Circular Economy PHA (Polyhydroxyalkanoates) are a class of Natural Polymers that have not been chemically modified
6 May 20265 May 2026 Renewable Materials Conference: Final Program Released The Global Networking Point of the Renewable Carbon Economy will take place in Siegburg/Cologne, Germany, from 22–24 September 2026
Renewable Materials Conference: Finales Programm veröffentlicht Siegburg wird vom 22. bis 24. September 2026 zum globalen Treffpunkt der erneuerbaren Kohlenstoffwirtschaft
Bio-based foam replaces petroleum-based materials – without changing production processes Together with several Fraunhofer institutes the Fraunhofer Cluster CCPE has successfully developed a “PBS Extrusion Foam (xPBS)”
Biobasierter Schaumstoff ersetzt erdölbasierte Materialien – ohne Umbau der Produktion Mit mehreren Fraunhofer Instituten konnte im Fraunhofer Cluster CCPE ein biobasierter PBS-Schaumstoff erzeugt werden, der nicht nur im Labor, sondern auch unter realitätsnahen Produktionsbedingungen funktioniert
Covation Biomaterials’ First Commercial Plant for bioTHF and bioPTMEG Reaches Mechanical Completion; Xatryx®, Brand Unveiled for New Non-Food bioPTMEG With a total investment of RMB 10 billion, the plant is planned in three phases, targeting a future total capacity of 500,000 tons per year of bio-based materials
Erste kommerzielle Anlage von Covation Biomaterials für bioTHF und bioPTMEG erreicht mechanische Fertigstellung, Xatryx® Brand für neues Non-Food bioPTMEG vorgestellt Die Anlage mit einer Gesamtinvestition von 10 Milliarden RMB ist in drei Phasen geplant und soll künftig eine Gesamtkapazität von 500.000 Tonnen biobasierter Materialien pro Jahr erreichen
Agilyx ASA increases shareholding in GreenDot Global to over 50% Under the agreement, Lafor and Agilyx will jointly acquire all shares in GreenDot currently held by Circular Resources (19.1%)
Agilyx ASA erhöht Beteiligung an GreenDot Global auf über 50% Im Rahmen der Vereinbarung werden Lafor und Agilyx gemeinsam alle Anteile an GreenDot erwerben, die sich derzeit im Besitz von Circular Resources (19,1%) befinden
Why Naphtha Remains Crucial Despite Promising Greener Alternatives While various technologies are underway, analysts say they have not yet reached a commercial scale sufficient to replace naphtha in terms of cost-effectiveness and productivity
5 May 20265 May 2026 nova-Institute Provides Scientific Basis for EU Policy on Bio-based Plastic Packaging under PPWR New analysis for the European Commission confirms no technical barriers to bio-based packaging, highlights average GHG emission savings, and recommends binding targets to drive defossilisation
THUNDER Project Launches to Advance Carbon-neutral e-Methanol Production in Europe New EU-funded project unveils website and communication materials alongside its official launch
Successful 2025 Results: ERDE Initiative Recycles Over 37,000 Tonnes of Agricultural Plastics Recycling these materials resulted in savings of approximately 37,042 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents, which corresponds to around 350 million kilometres driven by passenger cars, the annual mileage of approximately 28,400 vehicles, or the carbon sequestration capacity of around 2.7 million trees
Erfolgreiche Bilanz 2025: Initiative ERDE recycelt über 37.000 Tonnen Agrarkunststoffe Durch das Recycling dieser Materialien konnten 37.042 Tonnen CO₂-Äquivalente eingespart werden, was etwa 350 Millionen gefahrenen PKW-Kilometern, der jährlichen Fahrleistung von rund 28.400 Fahrzeugen, oder der Bindungsleistung von rund 2,7 Millionen Bäumen entspricht
Sustainable Chemistry Changemakers: Der Weg in eine nachhaltigere Zukunft Natupla: Vom ISC3 Start-up des Monats zum Vorreiter für stärkebasierte, biologisch abbaubare Kunststoffe
Reifenabrieb macht ein Drittel des Meeresplastiks aus: Forscher und Start-up entwickeln Lösungen gegen Mikroplastik Blasentechnologie in Regenklärbecken und ein Manta-inspirierter Waschmaschinenfilter sollen Mikroplastik früh abfangen
Kandla Port Advances Methanol Bunkering, Marks Key Step Toward Green Maritime Transition “India Moves Closer to Net-Zero Maritime Future as Kandla Pioneers Methanol Bunkering:” Sarbananda Sonowal
Biopolymer Microenvironment Enables High-Current CO2 Conversion A recent breakthrough study introduces a novel approach centered on biopolymer-based coatings that redefine the local microenvironment around catalysts
4 May 202630 April 2026 Bridging the gap to commercial scale in bio-based industries Bio Innovations Europe 2026, 10–11 June in The Hague
Sustainability meets product protection: Why conventional blister packaging is no longer enough for nutraceuticals The innovative pp-based NutriGuard® blister solution by SÜDPACK Medica already meets the PPWR requirements for recyclability
Nachhaltigkeit trifft Produktschutz: Warum herkömmliche Blister bei Nutraceuticals nicht mehr reichen werden Die PP-basierte Blisterlösung NutriGuard® von SÜDPACK Medica entspricht nach heutigen Berechnungsstandards bereits jetzt den PPWR-Vorgaben in puncto Recyclingfähigkeit
Clean Food Group announces launch of CLEANOil™ ahead of in-cosmetics Global debut Biotechnology-derived ingredient platform reaches commercial readiness following cross-industry collaboration
Monthly News from the Renewable Carbon Initiative (RCI), April 2026 April Highlights: Participation in Survey, free RCI Webinar, New Roundtable in June, Involvement in core groups of CCA WGs, WG Sustainability and Policy Work, New RCI Member Fraunhofer IAP (DE)
Innovation as the answer: Techtextil and Texprocess honour solutions to global challenges with the 2026 Innovation Awards The textile industry and many of its application sectors face unprecedented challenges – the winners of the Techtextil and Texprocess Innovation Awards 2026 provide solutions
Innovation als Antwort: Techtextil und Texprocess küren mit Innovation Awards 2026 Lösungen für globale Herausforderungen Die Textilindustrie und viele ihrer Anwenderbranchen stehen vor beispiellosen Herausforderungen – die Preisträger der Techtextil und Texprocess Innovation Awards 2026 liefern Lösungen
RAB Lighting chooses PLEXIGLAS® proTerra molding compound for resource-efficient luminaire design This type of Röhm’s brand polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) contains a proportion of attributed bio-circular raw materials, thereby lowering its CO₂e footprint
RAB Lighting verwendet PLEXIGLAS® proTerra Formmasse für ressourcenschonendes Leuchtendesign Diese Variante des Marken-Polymethylmethacrylats (PMMA) von Röhm enthält einen zugeordneten Anteil an biozirkulären Rohstoffen und weist daher einen reduzierten CO2-Fußabdruck auf
30 April 202624 April 2026 New Sustainable Polymer Class Discovered Researchers at the University of Bayreuth haver discovered a new polymer class which are characterised by biodegradable and recyclable properties and can also be processed in a more sustainable way
Neue nachhaltige Polymer-Klasse entdeckt Bayreuther Forscher haben eine neue Klasse von Polymeren entdeckt, die sich durch bioabbaubare sowie recyclingfähige Eigenschaften auszeichnen und sich zudem nachhaltig verarbeiten lassen
Planetary secures $28M to expand sustainable protein fermentation The company converts agricultural byproducts into high-value proteins, fibers, and enzymes to promote a circular bioeconomy
Avantium’s Releaf and Hoogvliet Jongerius debut “From Plants to Plastic” at Milan Design Week 2026 releaf® allows designers and brands to explore new material expressions while reducing dependence on fossil‑based plastics