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4 Covers bio-based & CO₂-based polymers
as well as chemical recycling
 bio based background Data for 2023:
24 06 10 slider publications bio based cover Report on Bio-based
Building Blocks and
Polymers
More details Advanced Recycling Figure 24 06 10 slider publications advanced recycling cover Report on
Advanced Plastic
Waste Recycling
Technologies

More details 22 07 06 blau weiss pha 22 07 06 pha cover More details Report on
The PHA Industry
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  • Newinnovative bio based products for a clean transition (pdf)

    Innovative Bio-Based Products for a clean Transition (PDF)

    New

    Markets & Economy, Policy, Technology

    8 Pages
    31 Downloads

    2024-10

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    A new study conducted by the nova-Institute and commissioned by the Confederation of European Paper Industries (Cepi) unveils a significant surge in the European biorefinery sector, with forest-based biorefineries more than doubling their turnover to €6 billion since 2020. This remarkable growth underscores the rising demand for sustainable, bio-based alternatives to fossil-based products.

    The research, focused on the pulp and paper industry that produce additional bio-based products which land on the market beyond pulp and paper, identifies a total of 143 biorefineries across Europe, with 126 currently operational and 17 in development. The largest number of biorefineries is in Sweden, Finland, Germany, Portugal and Austria. The study points to a bright future for biorefineries, with projected annual growth rates of up to 5% until 2050.
    The products of these biorefineries provide sustainable solutions across various industries, from aviation to fashion, offering alternatives in materials, chemicals, fuels, food, and pharmaceuticals. Importantly, biorefineries contribute to Europe’s climate targets, with bio-based products already substituting over 3.1 megatons of CO2 emissions that would have been produced by fossil-based industries.

    The study emphasises that these advancements are not replacing traditional pulp and paper-making activities but are creating new revenue streams and increasing resource efficiency, providing a pathway to sustainable economic growth.

    Source: https://www.cepi.org/report-pulp-and-paper-biorefineries-in-europe-innovative-bio-based-products-for-a-clean-transition

  • Newdie zukunft des recycling gestalten (pdf)

    Die Zukunft des Recyclings gestalten (PDF)

    New

    Markets & Economy, Policy, Sustainability & Health, Technology

    2 Pages
    17 Downloads

    2024-10

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    Die ambitionierten Recyclingziele der EU, die (Selbst-)Verpflichtungen der chemischen Industrie und der Markenhersteller sowie die Anforderungen der Kunden üben einen enormen Entwicklungsdruck auf den Recyclingsektor aus. Einem großen Anteil nicht recycelter Abfallströme stehen die Nachfrage und die Suche nach erneuerbaren Rohstoffen für Chemikalien und Materialien gegenüber. Dies wirft die Frage auf, welche Technologien für welchen Abfallstrom am besten geeignet sind und wie die Umweltauswirkungen zu bewerten sind.

    Quelle: Advanced Recycling: Technologien und Markttrends für eine nachhaltige Kreislaufwirtschaft“ – aus CITplus 10/2024

  • Newnova paper #17: science based definition of natural polymers (pdf)

    nova-paper #17: Science-based Definition of Natural Polymers (PDF)

    New

    Markets & Economy, Policy, Sustainability & Health

    22 Pages
    133 Downloads

    2024-09

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    European policy has defined „natural polymers“ in a way that has caused much concern and debate among scientists and industry, and has created a barrier to innovation. The authors of this report have carried out a comprehensive scientific evaluation of how the scientific literature defines „natural polymers“, and the result is: The European policy definition is partly in clear contrast to the scientific definitions.

    „Occurring in nature“ is the basis for every definition of „natural polymers“ in the scientific literature and in policy. All scientific definitions include biotechnological processes for the production of natural polymers. Not a single definition mentions the place of polymerisation as a criterion – in clear contrast to European policy. Industrial practice confirms this finding: A long list of widely accepted natural polymers includes biotechnologically processed polymers and the place of polymerisation is not a criterion.

    Conclusion: A policy definition of „natural polymers“ that is at odds with almost all scientific definitions and at odds with business reality, and which is a major barrier to innovation, green investment and lower carbon footprints, needs to be revised.
    The essence of the scientific definitions evaluated in this report is simple and leads to the following proposed definition: „Natural polymers are those that occur in nature, are produced in and extracted from nature, or can be produced identically using biotechnological processes“.

  • Neweuropean bioeconomy in figures 2014–2021 (pdf)

    European Bioeconomy in Figures 2014–2021 (PDF)

    New

    Markets & Economy, Policy, Sustainability & Health

    29 Pages
    232 Downloads

    2024-09

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    The bioeconomy in the European Union is a strong contributor to the overall economy and accounts for over 16 million employees and more than 2.3 trillion Euro in turnover across all 27 Member States. In terms of turnover almost half of the 2.3 trillion Euro can be attributed to the food and feed industries, which remain a large part of the EU bioeconomy. Adding to this are the agriculture and forestry sectors providing primary biomass to bioeconomic processes. However, the sectors processing these feedstocks and manufacturing intermediate and end-use products, collectively referred to as the bio-based industries, find themselves contributing on a stable level to the overall bioeconomy and account for almost a third of the overall turnover.

     

  • swift implementation of eu biotech and biomanufacturing initiative is key to strengthen eu competitiveness and accelerate defossilisation (pdf)

    Swift implementation of EU biotech and biomanufacturing initiative is key to strengthen EU competitiveness and accelerate defossilisation (PDF)

    New

    Markets & Economy, Policy, Sustainability & Health

    3 Pages
    95 Downloads

    2024-09

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    The Renewable Carbon Initiative’s position paper emphasizes that the EU must swiftly implement its biotechnology and biomanufacturing initiative to accelerate the shift from fossil carbon to renewable sources and boost competitiveness. The Renewable Carbon Initiative (RCI) highlights three key actions:

    1.) Align with Circular Economy Policies: Ensure consistency across EU initiatives to promote renewable carbon from biomass, recycling, and CCU.

    2.) Boost Market Demand: Address the lack of demand for renewable feedstocks by implementing policies to make fossil alternatives less competitive.

    3.) Enable Fossil-to-Renewable Transition: Repurposing current fossil-based manufacturing to use renewable feedstocks. Clear sustainability criteria, access to various biomass sources, and broader definitions of biomanufacturing processes are essential to achieving this transition.

    These actions are vital for achieving net-zero goals and strengthening EU industry.

  • biodegradable polymers in various environments according to established standards and certification schemes – graphic (current version)

    Biodegradable Polymers in Various Environments According to Established Standards and Certification Schemes – Graphic (PDF, current version)

    New

    Sustainability & Health

    1 Page
    862 Downloads

    2024-08

    FREE

     

    Third update of the well-known poster showing biodegradable polymers in different environments according to established standards and certification schemes.

    The expert group met again this year to discuss the latest scientific evidence in the field of biodegradable polymers in order to make meaningful changes to the poster. The generic classification on the poster is only supported by tests performed in the context of certification. Therefore, the expert group decided to include the biodegradability of polycaprolactone (PCL) in additional environments: soil, freshwater, marine and anaerobic conditions. In addition, a new certification for marine biodegradability has been published by DIN CERTCO in 2023, based on ISO 22403, the standard that provides requirements for marine biodegradability, and is now mentioned on the poster. A new poster design and a more precise definition of biodegradation and biodegradability complete the update for this year.

  • alternative naphtha – technologies and market, status and outlook (pdf)

    Alternative Naphtha – Technologies and Market, Status and Outlook (PDF) – Short Version

    New

    Markets & Economy, Technology

    20 Pages
    579 Downloads

    2024-07

    FREE

     

    For the defossilisation of the chemical industry, it is crucial to find alternatives to fossil-based naphtha. The “alternative naphtha” concept makes use of existing refinery, steam cracking and chemical industry infrastructure where a proportion of fossil-based feedstocks – crude oil or fossil-based naphthas can be replaced by renewable carbon alternatives derived from the three sources of renewable carbon: CO2, biomass and recycling.

    This new report by nova-Institute presents an analysis of the routes, associated technologies, market players and volumes by which renewable carbon can be introduced to refinery and steam cracking operations as replacement for fossil based feedstocks.

    With 188 pages, 22 tables and illustrated by 48 graphics the report provides a comprehensive view on the growth in capacity for these alternative sources of naphtha as chemical industry feedstock, production routes and the need for “upgrading”, key companies and partnerships and the regulatory environment.

    DOI No.: https://doi.org/10.52548/JICP8041

  • Select
    licence    alternative naphtha – technologies and market, status and outlook (pdf)

    Alternative Naphtha – Technologies and Market, Status and Outlook (PDF)

    New

    Markets & Economy, Technology

    188 Pages

    2024-07

    2,500 € – 9,000 € ex. tax

    Plus 19% MwSt.
     
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    For the defossilisation of the chemical industry, it is crucial to find alternatives to fossil-based naphtha. The “alternative naphtha” concept makes use of existing refinery, steam cracking and chemical industry infrastructure where a proportion of fossil-based feedstocks – crude oil or fossil-based naphthas can be replaced by renewable carbon alternatives derived from the three sources of renewable carbon: CO2, biomass and recycling.

    This new report by nova-Institute presents an analysis of the routes, associated technologies, market players and volumes by which renewable carbon can be introduced to refinery and steam cracking operations as replacement for fossil based feedstocks.

    With 188 pages, 22 tables and illustrated by 48 graphics the report provides a comprehensive view on the growth in capacity for these alternative sources of naphtha as chemical industry feedstock, production routes and the need for “upgrading”, key companies and partnerships and the regulatory environment.

    DOI No.: https://doi.org/10.52548/JICP8041

  • towards an ambitious industrial carbon management for the eu – a call for speedy and coherent implementation of policy measures (pdf)

    Towards an ambitious Industrial Carbon Management for the EU – A Call for Speedy and Coherent Implementation of Policy Measures (PDF)

    New

    Markets & Economy, Policy, Sustainability & Health

    3 Pages
    223 Downloads

    2024-07

    FREE

     

    The Renewable Carbon Initiative’s position paper emphasizes the need for a comprehensive industrial carbon management strategy in the EU that goes beyond CO2 emissions to include all carbon sources, promoting the use of renewable carbon from biomass, CCU, and recycling. It calls for the establishment of a regulatory framework with specific sub-targets and incentives by 2025 to accelerate the adoption of circular carbon technologies and reduce dependence on fossil feedstocks. The paper argues that recognising carbon as a raw material is essential for achieving sustainable carbon cycles and meeting the EU’s climate neutrality goals by 2050.

     

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    Renewable Materials Conference 2024 (Proceedings, PDF)

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    Markets & Economy, Policy, Sustainability & Health, Technology

    2024-06

    200 € ex. tax

    Plus 19% MwSt.
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    The proceedings of the Renewable Materials Conference 2024 (11-13 June 2024, https://renewable-materials.eu) contain all released presentations, the conference journal, and the press release of the three winners of the Innovation Award “Renewable Material of the Year 2024″.

    Program (PDF)

    Download Conference journal (PDF)

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    licence    short version (pdf) (copy)

    Bio-based and Biodegradable Plastics Industries in China (PDF)

    New

    Markets & Economy, Policy, Sustainability & Health

    71 Pages

    2024-05

    1,500 € – 8,000 € ex. tax

    Plus 19% MwSt.
    Press
    release     Select
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    China has emerged as a global leader in strategic technologies such as 5G, renewable energy, and electric vehicles in the past two decades. This dominance may leave European companies impressed and concerned about competition while also sparking curiosity about China’s leapfrogging advancement in these areas.

    Paving the way to a net-zero chemical industry in 2060, using renewable biomass to produce bio-based chemicals has been one of the promising transitional solutions for the global chemical industry. As China and Europe strive to follow this path, a similar question may exist within the European chemical industry: What is the status of the bio-based industry in China? Can China and Europe find a cooperative and win-win way to develop this industry?

  • short version (pdf) (copy)

    Bio-based and Biodegradable Plastics Industries in China – Short Version (PDF)

    New

    Markets & Economy, Policy, Sustainability & Health

    14 Pages
    680 Downloads

    2024-05

    FREE

     

    China has emerged as a global leader in strategic technologies such as 5G, renewable energy, and electric vehicles in the past two decades. This dominance may leave European companies impressed and concerned about competition while also sparking curiosity about China’s leapfrogging advancement in these areas.

    Paving the way to a net-zero chemical industry in 2060, using renewable biomass to produce bio-based chemicals has been one of the promising transitional solutions for the global chemical industry. As China and Europe strive to follow this path, a similar question may exist within the European chemical industry: What is the status of the bio-based industry in China? Can China and Europe find a cooperative and win-win way to develop this industry?

  • Select
    licence    23 04 13 carbon dioxide (co2) as feedstock for chemicals cover shop

    Carbon Dioxide (CO₂) as Feedstock for Chemicals, Advanced Fuels, Polymers, Proteins and Minerals (PDF)

    New

    Markets & Economy, Technology

    242 Pages

    2023-04

    2,500 € – 10,000 € ex. tax

    Plus 19% MwSt.
    Press
    release     Select
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    New report on the use of CO₂ for chemicals, advanced fuels, polymers, proteins and minerals by nova-Institute – A deep and comprehensive insight into the evolving technologies, trends and the dynamically growing market of CO₂ transformation and utilisation.
    Several successfully implemented technologies are now in commercial use, and many more are at the laboratory and pilot stage. A current total production capacity of novel CO₂-based products of about 1.3 Mt/a in 2022 is observed. The production capacity in 2022 is dominated by the production of CO₂-based aromatic polycarbonates, ethanol from captured CO/CO₂, aliphatic polycarbonate and methanol. By 2030, the capacity outlook for CO₂-based products is expected to exceed 6 Mt/a of CO₂-based products. High dynamic growth is observed for methanol projects, methane plants, ethanol and hydrocarbons – the latter especially for the aviation sector. The potential of CCU has been recognised by several global brands which are already expanding their feedstock portfolio. However, in Europe, investments and prospects for CO₂ utilisation are largely undermined by a lack of political support. In contrast, we see supportive policies in China as well as in the US with the Inflation Reduction Act. Such smart policies are needed to bridge the gap between now and 2050 for companies to remain competitive in the sustainable transformation.

    nova-Institute’s new report examines this renewable carbon source in detail: Which products can be made from CO₂, and by which processes? To which extend have the technologies already been developed and implemented in pilot, demonstration and commercial plants? Which companies are working on technologies to uses CO₂ as a feedstock? What are the trends in CO₂ utilisation in the coming years?

    This report addresses the fuel, chemical and materials industries, brands, technology scouts, investors, and policy makers. The report provides 240 pages of information on CO₂ utilisation. All the 116 companies mentioned are described in detailed profiles.

    DOI No.: https://doi.org/10.52548/HKBS8158

  • 23 03 06 company profile nova institute shop

    nova-Institute: Science-based Consultancy on Renewable Carbon for Chemicals and Materials (PDF)

    6 Pages
    286 Downloads

    2024-09

    FREE

     
  • biodegradable polymers in various environments according to established standards and certification schemes – graphic (pdf, current version) (copy)

    Biodegradable Polymers in Various Environments According to Established Standards and Certification Schemes – Graphic (PNG, current version)

    Sustainability & Health

    1 Page
    298 Downloads

    2024-08

    FREE

     

    Third update of the well-known poster showing biodegradable polymers in different environments according to established standards and certification schemes.

    The expert group met again this year to discuss the latest scientific evidence in the field of biodegradable polymers in order to make meaningful changes to the poster. The generic classification on the poster is only supported by tests performed in the context of certification. Therefore, the expert group decided to include the biodegradability of polycaprolactone (PCL) in additional environments: soil, freshwater, marine and anaerobic conditions. In addition, a new certification for marine biodegradability has been published by DIN CERTCO in 2023, based on ISO 22403, the standard that provides requirements for marine biodegradability, and is now mentioned on the poster. A new poster design and a more precise definition of biodegradation and biodegradability complete the update for this year.

  • renewable carbon initiative (rci) webinar slides – july 2024 (pdf)

    Renewable Carbon Initiative (RCI) Webinar slides – July 2024 (PDF)

    Policy, Sustainability & Health, Technology

    60 Pages
    164 Downloads

    2024-07

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    This document contains a generic set of slides to introduce the concept of renewable carbon and the Renewable Carbon Initiative. The focus of this webinar is the work and impact of the RCI. Moreover, Arndt Scheidgen, Head of Product Stewardship at Henkel Consumer Brands joined the webinar to give insights as an industry leader.

  • 24-06-25_Joint-Statement-Biogenic-Carbon-Modelling-PEF-TAB_thumbnail.

    Joint Statement PEF TAB – biogenic carbon modelling (PDF)

    Markets & Economy, Policy, Sustainability & Health

    4 Pages
    216 Downloads

    2024-06

    FREE

     

    The RCI along with the organisations APAG Oleochemicals Europe, Bio-based Industries Consortium, BioChem Europe, EuropaBio, GO!PHA, IKT Kunststofftechnik Stuttgart and Plastics Europe submitted this Joint Statement to the members of the Technical Advisory Boyard of the Product Environmental Footprint (PEF TAB). The purpose of this submission is to address the ongoing discussions on carbon modelling in the EF, which have been frequently discussed in recent PEF TAB meetings. With this joint statement we advocate for enabling -1/+1 accounting of biogenic and atmospheric carbon in the LCA methodology.

  • mass balance & attribution with fuel use excluded
 (png)

    Mass Balance & Attribution With Fuel-use Excluded
 (PNG)

    Markets & Economy, Policy, Sustainability & Health, Technology

    1 Page
    149 Downloads

    2024-06

    FREE

     

    The graphic shows the approach of mass balance and attribution with fuel-use excluded which allows to track the fossil and recycled share of feedstock. The recycled content can be attributed to products after deducting lossess and proess energy during production and, if applicable, produced energy carriers (fuel-use excluded). This approach ensures that a transparent amount of fossil feedstock is replaced by recycled feedstock in the production process and that only recycled feedstock that actually ends up in products can be attributed.

  • (pdf)

    Ein Plädoyer für Carbon Capture and Utilisation – Carbon Capture and Utilisation ist viel mehr als nur eine Technologie zur Entnahme von Kohlenstoffdioxid (PDF)

    Markets & Economy, Policy, Sustainability & Health

    4 Pages
    165 Downloads

    2024-06

    FREE

     

    Zur Eindämmung des Klimawandels ist eine drastische Reduzierung fossiler Kohlenstoffemissionen erforderlich. Während Energie- und Verkehrssysteme dekarbonisiert werden können, benötigen Chemie- und Werkstoffsektoren Kohlenstoff als Rohstoff. Diese Sektoren sollten auf erneuerbaren Kohlenstoff aus Biomasse, CCU und Recycling umsteigen, wie von der Renewable Carbon Initiative (RCI) gefördert.

    CCU bietet zahlreiche Vorteile, darunter die Defossilisierung der Industrie und die Reduzierung der Treibhausgasemissionen.

    Trotz ihrer Bedeutung wird CCU politisch noch nicht ausreichend anerkannt. Eine stärkere Unterstützung und der Einsatz erneuerbarer Energien sind notwendig, um CCU als Schlüssel- technologie für eine nachhaltige Zukunft zu etablieren.

    Weitere Informationen:

    https://www.chemanager-online.com/news/ein-plaedoyer-fuer-carbon-capture-and-utilisation

     

  • call for member states to support an eu sustainable carbon policy package as a part of a future green eu industrial deal (pdf)

    Breaking news – Milestone for the Transition to Sustainable Carbon in the European Chemical Industry (PDF)

    Policy

    4 Pages
    79 Downloads

    2024-05

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    On 16 April 2024, a major milestone was reached in the European chemical industry’s transition to sustainable carbon.

    A group of four EU member states – the Netherlands, France, Ireland and the Czech Republic – are proposing an overarching long-term European policy framework to the European Commissioner for Climate Action, Wopke Hoekstra, who has warmly welcomed the initiative. The joint statement aims to achieve a transition from fossil to sustainable carbon feedstocks in the chemical industry.

    More supportive Member States are expected to join this proposal soon, as it provides a clear pathway without alternative to ensure the transition towards a modern and globally competitive chemical industry in Europe – which at the same time can also achieve sustainability and net-zero targets. The Joint Statement is a milestone and a significant opportunity to limit Europe’s external dependencies while moving closer to our European climate and environmental goals.