{"id":172255,"date":"2026-01-12T07:35:00","date_gmt":"2026-01-12T06:35:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/?p=172255"},"modified":"2026-01-12T11:19:56","modified_gmt":"2026-01-12T10:19:56","slug":"monthly-news-from-the-renewable-carbon-initiative-rci-december-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/monthly-news-from-the-renewable-carbon-initiative-rci-december-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"Monthly News from the Renewable Carbon Initiative (RCI), December 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n
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\u00a9 RCI<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

In December, RCI joined the Critical Chemicals Alliance, published a press release of the \u2018OK renewable\u2019 label, kicked off two projects for 2025 and will launch upcoming projects for 2026, participated in recent policy outreach and events, and got a new partner, Molecule Group. Stay tuned for opportunities to shape the renewable carbon transition and connect with industry leaders.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

RCI Is Now A Member of the Critical Chemicals Alliance<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

We are pleased to announce that RCI has become a member of the European Commission\u2019s Critical Chemicals Alliance (CCA).<\/a> <\/strong>This alliance is a key element of the EC\u2019s Industry Action Plan which serves to support the chemical sector and their investments on modernisation. The Action Plan highlights the key role of the chemical industry as the \u201cindustry of industries\u201d and proposes a series of measures to boost its competitiveness.  The alliance will work on establishing criteria to identify critical chemical productions and molecules for the European economy; mapping out critical molecules which can benefit from enhanced trade monitoring and support, including under the Customs Surveillance Systems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Moreover, CCA will be supporting the EU and Member States in aligning investment priorities and guide coordination of EU support mechanisms with national projects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a member, RCI has been invited to CCA\u2019s first General Assembly<\/strong>, taking place on 13 January 2026, from 14:30 to 17:30 CET<\/strong> at the Chemelot Campus Centre in Geleen, The Netherlands<\/strong>. We will report the results. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A new milestone for the Renewable Carbon Economy: the \u201cOK renewable\u201d certificate by T\u00dcV AUSTRIA Belgium<\/strong><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n
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The launch of the \u2018OK renewable\u2019 certificate marks an important step towards a more transparent and practical transition away from fossil carbon. The label clearly shows how much fossil carbon in a product or manufacturing process has been replaced by biomass, captured CO\u2082, or recycled carbon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Developed jointly by the Renewable Carbon Initiative (RCI) and nova-Institut, and implemented by T\u00dcV AUSTRIA Belgium, the certification is the result of three years of development. Available since April 2025, it can be applied to products, intermediates, and raw materials across a wide range of industries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unlike the energy sector, which can largely decarbonise by switching to renewable power, the chemical and materials industries fundamentally depend on carbon. For these sectors, defossilisation \u2013 replacing fossil carbon with renewable carbon sources \u2013 is the central strategy. This is where \u2018OK renewable\u2019 plays a crucial role. It is currently the only certification that can combine bio- and CO2<\/sub>-based and attributed as well as recycled carbon shares within a single certificate. For many companies, this makes it not only an attractive option, but in some cases the only viable one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2018OK renewable\u2019 is designed as a meta-label that builds on existing certification schemes. At present, nine leading certifiers are recognised under the label, with their certificates accepted as valid proof of renewable carbon sourcing. This approach simplifies verification, improves efficiency, and enhances transparency along the value chain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For businesses and customers alike, the benefits are clear: fewer labels, streamlined verification processes, greater clarity on renewable carbon content, and increased trust in sustainability claims.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Companies interested in certifying their products can find more information here.<\/a> <\/strong>Find the press release from December 2025 here.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

New RCI Projects <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

We kicked off two 2025 projects in December and are preparing to launch the first two 2026 projects in January \u2013 based on a proposals voting from the General Assembly in November 2025 \u2013  with many more planned throughout 2026.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In December 2025<\/strong>, we kicked off two projects:<\/p>\n\n\n\n