{"id":156361,"date":"2025-01-14T07:35:00","date_gmt":"2025-01-14T06:35:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/?p=156361"},"modified":"2025-01-13T14:40:29","modified_gmt":"2025-01-13T13:40:29","slug":"monthly-news-from-the-renewable-carbon-initiative-rci-december-2024","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/monthly-news-from-the-renewable-carbon-initiative-rci-december-2024\/","title":{"rendered":"Monthly news from the Renewable Carbon Initiative (RCI), December 2024"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n
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Happy New Year from the Renewable Carbon Initiative!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

We\u2019re excited to start 2025 with renewed focus on advancing the transition to renewable carbon. Thank you for your continued support \u2013 let\u2019s work together to make real progress toward defossilising the chemical industry!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

1) Feedback to DG GROW Workshop ‘Driving market access for biobased products and materials’<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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RCI participated in the workshop \u2018Driving market access for bio-based products and materials\u2019 from DG GROW (Unit F\/2 \u2013 Bioeconomy, chemicals, cosmetics) on 18 November 2024. RCI contributed to a fruitful discussion on possible options to stimulate market demand of bio-based products and on third-country market access and supply chain diversification.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the workshop, RCI provided written feedback to this workshop by DG GROW. RCI highlighted several barriers, including high costs compared to fossil-based alternatives, non-harmonised standards, and limited awareness of bio-based benefits. Supply chain challenges, such as climate change impacts, geopolitical risks, and insufficient advanced agronomy, further complicate the situation. To address these, the RCI advocates for regulatory simplification, stronger use of domestic biomass, and innovative tracking tools for sustainability certifications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Partnerships and innovation are seen as critical for building resilient bio-based supply chains, despite risks like technology leakage and intellectual property concerns. Investments in green electricity, biomass-balanced initiatives, and bio-derived innovations, such as sustainable cleaning technologies, have proven effective.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To stimulate demand, the RCI emphasises the need for binding regulations over voluntary targets. RCI suggests strategies like mandatory bio-based content requirements or carbon pricing in products to create a level playing field. Tax incentives and public procurement measures are considered less impactful, while supportive communication and targeted investments can provide additional momentum if backed by a strong legal framework.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2 ) RCI Ambassador Activities<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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9 December 2024 \u2013 CEFIC, Panel discussion<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In Brussels, Michael Carus, Managing Director of RCI, took part in a panel discussion at the Cefic event “The Carbon Managers\u201d. The event presented the key assumptions, model and findings of Cefic’s iC2050 study on the future of the chemical industry in Europe. The study aims to explore what a cost-competitive net-zero chemical industry could look like in 2050. The base case \u2013 compared to our vision \u2013 still assumes a high share of fossil fuels (coupled with CCS) and a rather low share of recycling and CO2 utilisation, and a higher share of biomass. It is encouraging to see the increasing discussion of alternative feedstocks for the chemical industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

10 to 11 December 2024 \u2013 European Bioplastics Conference, Titanic Hotel Berlin <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Around 350 attendees gathered in Berlin and online to attend the 19th<\/sup> edition of the European Bioplastics Conferences, EBC24. RCI joined to discuss the future of bioplastics, the factors that are shaping the bioplastics industry, and questions on sustainable biomass availability. In the European context, a tangible shift towards competitiveness and defossilisation highlighted that the bioeconomy is widely accepted as a significant pillar for the EU\u2019s sustainable long-term vision, and that policy is looking to enable the sector through a feasible regulatory framework.<\/a> With the new Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), for the first time, there is an obligation for industrial compostability for a few applications: \u201cpermeable tea, coffee or other beverage bag, or soft after-use system single-serve unit that contains tea, coffee or another beverage, and which is intended to be used and disposed of together with the product; andsticky labels affixed to fruit and vegetables\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3) Bio360, 5-6 February 2025, in Nantes, France<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Bio360 is the global crossroads for advancing the biotransition. Bio360 serves as a crucial two-day exhibition dedicated to the bioenergy and the bioeconomy sector, bringing together over 400 international exhibitors and 5,000 professional visitors. The event features a diverse program of international conferences spread across 7 conference rooms and study tours, and an innovation competition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the heart of Bio360\u2019s mission is its commitment to identifying and uniting leading international practitioners, entrepreneurs, scientists, policymakers, and public organisations who are shaping and embracing the biotransition. Its global outlook and comprehensive scope enable participants to share expertise, foster collaboration, and drive innovation on a global scale.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As an international meeting hub, Bio360 surpasses the limitations of a “single-discipline” approach, actively highlighting opportunities for cross-sectoral collaboration. The event explores synergies across bioenergy \u2013 whether solid, liquid, or gaseous \u2013 Carbon Capture and Utilisation (CCU), Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS), biochar, and the broader realm of bio-based materials. Central to its vision is achieving a truly circular economy, where waste and by-products from one process become valuable resources for another.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

On 6 February 2025, RCI members Futerro, CovationBio, T\u00dcV Austria and nova-Institute will host a specific session on renewable carbon at the Bio360 (room \u201ccircular\u201d) covering innovative strategies, examples of successful bio-based solutions, and the latest advancements in certification processes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n