{"id":163925,"date":"2025-06-03T07:32:00","date_gmt":"2025-06-03T05:32:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/?p=163925"},"modified":"2025-06-02T15:26:16","modified_gmt":"2025-06-02T13:26:16","slug":"monthly-news-from-the-renewable-carbon-initiative-rci-may-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/monthly-news-from-the-renewable-carbon-initiative-rci-may-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"Monthly news from the Renewable Carbon Initiative (RCI), May 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n

Welcome to the May edition of RCI\u2019s monthly newsletter. Our new project, \u201cExploring Sustainable Feedstock Sources and Biodiversity Protection\u201d is now underway, supported by an active project advisory board. This issue also highlights report summaries from our partner, Renewable Carbon Plastics Magazine<\/em>, offering concise insights on RCI\u2019s biomass availability and LCA methodologies for quick and easy access to core insights. The first internal RCI Brands meeting explored opportunities for collaboration and alignment across brands under the RCI umbrella. Additionally, gain updates from RCI\u2019s Working Groups on Sustainability and Policy. We have exciting member news: Denmark\u2019s groundbreaking commercial e-methanol plant has officially started operations. Early adopters include RCI member LEGO, alongside major Danish industry leaders Maersk and Novo Nordisk Lastly, our recent webinars on our scientific background reports on biomass supply and LCA standards attracted many participants and sparked lively discussion. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. New project: Exploring Sustainable Feedstock Sources and Biodiversity Protection (awaiting board approval)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Following its introduction in the March edition, the project on \u201cExploring Sustainable Feedstock Sources and Biodiversity Protection\u201d<\/em> officially kicked off on 24 April, 14:00\u201315:00 CEST with about 20 participants<\/strong>. The internal launch brought together the newly established Project Advisory Board (PAB), which includes member representatives from Arkema, BASF, Beckers, Beiersdorf, Braskem, Continental, Futerro, Henkel, IFF, Lenzing, Neste, Primient Covation, P&G, RWTH ITA, SCG Chemicals, Syensqo, UPM and Vioneo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Key goals of the project are to investigate how industrial use of biomass, mainly from agriculture and forestry, in the chemical and materials industry can be maximised while minimising impact on biodiversity. Concrete and pragmatic recommendations for cultivation and production of biomass which consider biodiversity shall be developed, with joint input of best practices from RCI members and external experts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These external biodiversity experts will be brought in via a tender to ensure scientific quality, and a physical workshop with a larger group of relevant stakeholders at the end of the project will validate the findings and recommendations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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2. New Format: RCI Roundtable to put member topics on the table<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

We are launching a new member-led format for open, focused discussions on key challenges and opportunities around renewable carbon and bio-based materials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To help us prioritise themes, we invited members to select up to five topics most relevant to their organisations. The first session is scheduled to start in June\/July 2025. The survey closed on 2 June 2025 (EOD).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We are currently reviewing the results. Members who proposed the most prioritised topics will be contacted shortly to confirm their interest in joining a session as a speaker and to receive further details. If the highest ranked topics are thematically aligned, we may combine three to four into a single session. Each session will last approximately 60 to 90 minutes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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3. Brands of RCI Meeting: Renewable Carbon heads into mainstream<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In April, an internal RCI meeting was held to bring the RCI brands together in an intimate setting. This initiative stems from previous discussions with some of the brands, internal discussions and input from the Board, as well as the importance we place on fostering collaboration within RCI.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The meeting focused on the potential for collaboration and alignment among brands under the RCI umbrella, with discussions on the importance of brands in the value chain and their potential leverage in promoting the shift to renewable carbon. The group also exchanged on the challenges and opportunities related to renewable carbon and alternative materials in their respective businesses, and the implications for brand owners. The conversation ended with discussions on potential areas for collaboration among brands, the need for clear communication with consumers, and the importance of maintaining transparency in the certification process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We are looking to continue exploring such more focused meetings, both with brands but also for other groups (e.g. start-ups, SMEs, suppliers) in an attempt to better tackle specific issues for parts of the value chain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Are you exploring defossilisation or fossil-free materials? We invite you to reach out to us!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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4. WG Sustainability<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

We are looking to more actively engage within WG Sustainability in 2025, based on our participation in the Environmental Footprint Technical Advisory Board.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Following a short survey, we have received a broad spectrum of further interesting topic proposals from RCI members, including advanced recycling technologies, design-for-sustainability and circular packaging, carbon and environmental footprinting methodologies, and the evolving regulatory and certification landscape. To facilitate comprehensive and structured discussions, we have cautiously consolidated the feedback into four thematic sessions:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1.     Advanced Recycling Technologies and Circular Feedstocks<\/strong>
2.     Design-for-Sustainability (DfS) and Circular Packaging<\/strong>
3.     Carbon and Environmental Footprinting Methodologies<\/strong>
4.     Regulatory and Certification Frameworks for Circularity<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

These sessions are a first idea of focus topics to be discussed at upcoming WG Sustainability meetings, in order to enable a focused scientific exchange and contribute to advancing the group\u2019s sustainability objectives. But we will continue to elaborate and finetune topics of relevance on which we want to bring together the WG.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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5. WG Policy<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Follow-up on Publication of \u201cPolicy Proposals for Facilitating the Transition to Renewable Carbon\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The RCI Policy Proposals for Facilitating the Transition to Renewable Carbon report has been published and received a great deal of positive feedback, including notable coverage in specialised media outlets.

In June, another visit to EC contacts in Brussels will take place, where the proposals and their consideration in EU policy will be discussed further. The proposals have also been well-noted by the Dutch government, who will consider them for developing concrete policy actions to realise the national vision on sustainable carbon in the chemical industry. We remain in close exchange with the Dutch authorities on this topic. Additionally, a dedicated workshop will be held at the Renewable Materials Conference 2025<\/strong> in September.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finally, a concise summary of the policy recommendations is currently in preparation to further support broader dissemination and understanding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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6. Webinar: How Leading LCA Standards Address Renewable Carbon- An RCI Study<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

On 7 May 2025, a 90-minute webinar was conducted to present the key findings of RCI\u2019s recent study on renewable carbon in LCA standards. The session, attended by 171 participants, facilitated detailed discussions on reviewed LCA frameworks, highlighting areas of convergence (such as biogenic carbon accounting) and divergence (including substitution credits and allocation methods). Feedback from participants indicated strong engagement and interest in the technical content and its practical implications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The webinar provided an overview of existing provisions and identified gaps within current LCA standards and frameworks, supporting informed application and further development in this area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The webinar was based on a three-part study released by RCI on 12 March, comprising a technical report on frameworks and guidance (Report 1), an in-depth analysis of renewable carbon in recycling scenarios (Report 2), and a non-technical summary aimed at policy makers and non-specialists (Report 3).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Find the presentation slides here: https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/publications\/product\/rci-webinar-lca-approaches-and-methodologies-for-renewable-carbon-pdf\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Find the recording here: https:\/\/www.nova-cloud.info\/index.php\/s\/Wkoa7TXjA8ARgnP<\/a>. Please note:<\/strong> The recording must be downloaded in order to be viewed and will be available on the cloud for one month (until 12 June).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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7. Webinar: Joint BIC and RCI Report \u201cIs there Enough Biomass to Defossilise the Chemicals and Derived Materials Sector by 2050?\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A second webinar held on 26 May 2025 attracted considerable attention from stakeholders across industry, academia, and policy, with 76 registered participants. The event focused on the recently published joint study by RCI and the Bio-based Industries Consortium (BIC), released in February 2025. The study applied a robust modelling framework to assess biomass availability in Europe and examined a critical question for the future of climate-neutral material production:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Can agricultural and woody biomass together sustainably supply 20% of the global carbon demand of the chemical and derived materials industries by 2050 \u2013 up from 5.5% (EU27) and 10% (global) in 2023?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In light of the high level of interest, Michael Carus (CEO, nova-Institute) and Olaf Porc (Economy & Policy Department) hosted the webinar to present an in-depth analysis of the study\u2019s approach and findings. The presentation covered the study\u2019s methodological foundation, modelling assumptions and key conclusions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The core conclusion: achieving the 20% bio-based carbon supply target by 2050 is not only technically achievable but also compatible with established sustainability criteria. The analysis supports the viability of a transition toward a circular, bio-based economy without exceeding planetary boundaries or compromising food security.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The webinar concluded with a discussion on the broader implications for industrial defossilisation strategies, policy frameworks, and innovation priorities in the bioeconomy sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Find the recording here: https:\/\/www.nova-cloud.info\/index.php\/s\/YJRB4RCxCE2oSGM<\/a>
Please note: The recording will be available on the cloud for one month (until 2 July).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Access the full study here.<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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8. Report Summaries by RCI Partner Renewable Carbon Plastics Magazine<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Our partner Renewable Carbon Plastics Magazine<\/em> has prepared concise summaries of two recent RCI reports in Renewable Carbon Plastics | bioplastics MAGAZINE [02\/25] Vol. 20. These summaries highlight the key findings and conclusions of the full studies, facilitating quicker access to the core scientific insights.

The summaries are available for download in our shop:

Summary of the RCI\/BIC study \u201cIs There Enough Biomass to Defossilise the Chemicals and Derived Materials Sector by 2050?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n