Renewable Carbon Publications nova provides studies on
all renewable carbon relevant
topics such as

4 Covers bio-based & CO₂-based polymers
as well as chemical recycling
 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 pha cover More details Report on
The PHA Industry
Landscape Download PDF here Networking Opportunities
Recent Reports
Expert Information
nova-Institute Logo Networking and Knowledge Flyer 2024 Everything at a glance

Showing 1–20 of 45

2040All
  • Newevaluating lca approaches and methodologies for renewable carbon sources report 3 of 3 – non technical summary (march 2025)

    Evaluating LCA Approaches and Methodologies for Renewable Carbon Sources Report 3 of 3 – Non-technical Summary (March 2025) (PDF)

    New

    Markets & Economy, Policy, Sustainability & Health

    15 Pages
    330 Downloads

    2025-03

    FREE

    Free Shipping
     

    This Non-technical Summary (15 pages),highlights main insights into the project results and states key take-aways for policy-makers.

    It compares several frameworks, such as ISO 14040, Product Environmental Footprint (PEF), and GHG Protocol, finding both commonalities and critical differences in areas like biogenic carbon accounting and recycling assessment. The study identifies significant methodological flexibility in existing frameworks, leading to inconsistencies in LCA results and challenges in standardisation. Key issues include differing treatment of carbon capture and utilisation (CCU), direct air capture (DAC), and allocation of environmental burdens in multifunctional processes. Policy recommendations emphasise the need for harmonisation, improved biogenic carbon accounting, and clear guidance on emerging technologies like DAC and mass balance attribution. Overall, the study calls for refining LCA methodologies to ensure fair comparison between renewable and fossil-based carbon solutions.

    This report is the third report of a larger RCI project on LCA methodology, which includes two additional publications:

    Report 1 of 3 – Renewable Carbon in LCA Guidelines
    Report 2 of 3 – Renewable Carbon in Recycling Situations

    Please find these additional reports by following the respective links at the bottom of this page.

  • Newevaluating lca approaches and methodologies for renewable carbon sources report 2 of 3 – renewable carbon in recycling situations (march 2025) (pdf)

    Evaluating LCA Approaches and Methodologies for Renewable Carbon Sources Report 2 of 3 – Renewable Carbon in Recycling Situations (March 2025) (PDF)

    New

    Markets & Economy, Policy, Sustainability & Health

    37 Pages
    223 Downloads

    2025-03

    FREE

    Free Shipping
     

    This report focuses on renewable carbon in recycling scenarios and the key challenges in LCA and carbon footprint assessments. It examines system boundaries, allocation methods, and biogenic carbon accounting approaches, highlighting their influence on sustainability evaluations. The report emphasises the cut-off and avoided-burden approaches for recycling while recommending the -1/+1 method for biogenic carbon transparency. However, it also identifies contradictions between LCA results and broader sustainability goals, such as the EU waste hierarchy, which prioritises recycling. To address these inconsistencies, the report suggests integrating LCA with additional sustainability metrics like land use and recyclability. Ultimately, refining these methodologies will enhance the accuracy and reliability of environmental assessments for bio-based and recycled materials.

    This report is the second report of a larger RCI project on LCA methodology, which includes two additional publications:

    Report 1 of 3 – Renewable Carbon in LCA Guidelines
    Report 3 of 3 – Non-technical Summary

    Please find these additional reports by following the respective links at the bottom of this page.

  • Newevaluating lca approaches and methodologies for renewable carbon sources report 1 of 3 – renewable carbon in lca guidelines (march 2025) (pdf)

    Evaluating LCA Approaches and Methodologies for Renewable Carbon Sources Report 1 of 3 – Renewable Carbon in LCA Guidelines (March 2025) (PDF)

    New

    Markets & Economy, Policy, Sustainability & Health

    145 Pages
    343 Downloads

    2025-03

    FREE

    Free Shipping
     

    Renewable Carbon in LCA Guidelines (146 pages) evaluates methodological choices which impact LCAs for products containing renewable carbon in existing LCA frameworks and guidelines. The study specifically examines the similarities and differences in the methodological choices of guidelines, as well as the implications of these methodological aspects on the resulting LCA outcomes.The frameworks were selected based on their relevance and legitimacy in the industry, academia and policy field, and include: ISO 14040/44, ISO 14067, GHG Protocol Product Standard, PACT’s Pathfinder Framework, the PCF Guideline for the chemical industry by Together for Sustainability (TfS), EPD for the construction industry – ISO 14025 and EN 15804, the Renewable Energy Directive, the Product Environmental Footprint (PEF) and the JRC’s plastics LCA methodology. One field with a particularly large methodological freedom is recycling.

    This report is the first report of a larger RCI project on LCA methodology, which includes two additional publications:

    Report 2 of 3 – Renewable Carbon in Recycling Situations
    Report 3 of 3 – Non-technical Summary

    Please find these additional reports by following the respective links at the bottom of this page.

  • is there enough biomass to defossilise the chemicals and derived materials sector by 2050? – a joint bic and rci scientific background report (pdf) (copy)

    Joint Webinar hosted by Bio-based Industries Consortium (BIC) and the Renewable Carbon Initiative (RCI) (February 2025) (PDF)

    New

    Policy, Sustainability & Health

    51 Pages
    163 Downloads

    2025-02

    FREE

    Free Shipping
     

    The webinar was presented by Michael Carus (nova-Institute, RCI), supported by Christopher vom Berg (RCI), Dirk Carrez (BIC), and Marco Rupp (BIC). It was based on a Scientific Background Report “Is there enough biomass to defossilise the chemicals and derived materials sector by 2050?” commissioned by the Bio-based Industries Consortium (BIC) and the Renewable Carbon Initiative (RCI).

    It explored whether agricultural and woody biomass could sustainably meet 20% of the carbon demand for the chemical and derived materials sectors by 2050. Using models like CAPRI (for agriculture) and TiMBA (for forestry), the study examined different scenarios, balancing food, feed, and biofuel priorities. Results showed that with moderate technological advancements, this 20% target is achievable without compromising sustainability or biodiversity. Stronger high-tech scenarios could even provide up to 40%, though existing biofuel policies may limit this. Overall, the study concluded that biomass could play a key role in defossilising the chemical sector, given the right innovations and policy frameworks.

     

  • evaluation of recent reports on the future of a net zero chemical industry in 2050 (pdf) (copy)

    Is there Enough Biomass to Defossilise the Chemicals and Derived Materials Sector by 2050? – A Joint BIC and RCI Scientific Background Report (PDF)

    New

    Markets & Economy, Policy, Sustainability & Health

    41 Pages
    935 Downloads

    2025-02

    FREE

    Free Shipping
     

    This reports presents the findings of a joint project of the Bio-based Industries Consortium (BIC) and the Renewable Carbon Initiative (RCI), which focuses on whether agricultural and woody biomass combined sustainably provide enough biomass to meet 20% of the future carbon demand of the chemical and derived materials industries in 2050 (up from 5.5% (EU27) and 10% (global) in 2023).

    This leading question was investigated with professional experts to model a business-as-usual, a low resource depletion, and a high-tech scenario to better analyse the possible ranges of biomass availability under different developments.

    Agriculture: By 2050, under the BAU scenario, production is projected to increase by 31% to 5.07 billion tonnes. Cereals increase by 32% to 3.1 billion tonnes, sugar by 40% to 340 million tonnes and vegetable oils by 45% to 317 million tonnes. In the Green LRD scenarios, production is projected to increase by 24–26%, and in the Green HT scenarios by 38–53% – compared to 31% in the BAU scenario.

    Forestry: Global supply and demand of industrial roundwood (coniferous and non-coniferous) will increase by an estimated 38% between 2020 and 2050, from 0.9 to 1.3 billion tdm. The largest increase in supply is expected in Asia (69%), including China and Russia, but a significant increase of 32% is also seen for Europe.

    The report concludes that sustainably meeting 20% of total carbon demand of the chemicals and derived materials sector in 2050 via biomass seems a realistic and achievable estimate.

    DOI No.: https://doi.org/10.52548/PIRL6916

  • eu and global: biomass demand for transport fuels, aviation and shipping up to 2050 and implications for biomass supply to the chemical sector (pdf)

    EU and Global: Biomass Demand for Transport Fuels, Aviation and Shipping up to 2050 and Implications for Biomass Supply to the Chemical Sector (PDF)

    Markets & Economy, Policy, Sustainability & Health

    44 Pages
    888 Downloads

    2025-01

    FREE

    Free Shipping
     

    The Renewable Carbon Initiative’s Scientific Background Report explores three potential future scenarios for carbon-based fuel demand up to 2050 under current policy frameworks. It predicts a sharp rise in the demand for second-generation biomass biofuels, driven primarily by increasing quotas for aviation and shipping fuels. This growth raises concerns about ecological and resource sustainability and creates challenges for sectors like chemicals and materials, which rely on renewable carbon to reduce fossil dependency. Without similar regulatory incentives, these sectors may face limited access to critical feedstocks like biomass and captured carbon.

    The report highlights that while bio-based and synthetic fuel production could indirectly benefit the chemical industry through by-products, competition with the fuel sector poses significant obstacles.The report includes 11 tables, 9 graphics, and a detailed overview of EU fuel regulations. Though focused on Europe, it also provides global insights, making it a valuable resource for stakeholders in biomass and CO2 utilisation sectors.

    DOI: https://doi.org/10.52548/GXVG4189

  • rci position paper on chemical and physical recycling (pdf) (copy)

    Evaluation of Recent Reports on the Future of a Net-Zero Chemical Industry in 2050 (PDF)

    Markets & Economy, Policy, Sustainability & Health

    20 Pages
    1286 Downloads

    2024-11

    FREE

    Free Shipping
     

    The Renewable Carbon Initiative’s Scientific Background Report assesses 24 scenarios from 15 studies to envision a net-zero chemical industry by 2050. The analysis anticipates continued growth in chemical production, projecting a 2.4-fold increase in global feedstock demand by 2050 compared to 2020 levels, with most expansion expected outside Europe while European feedstock volumes remain stable. To achieve net-zero emissions, the industry is projected to undergo a significant shift in feedstocks, with key renewable carbon sources identified as biomass (22%), carbon capture and utilisation (33%), and recycling (20%), while the remaining 24% comes from fossil sources with carbon capture and storage. For plastics specifically, recycling is expected to play an even larger role, accounting for 42% of feedstocks on average. This transition will require continued innovation and investment in renewable carbon technologies to meet ambitious defossilisation goals.

    The report provides invaluable insights for industry leaders, policymakers, and researchers, highlighting the urgent need for action to achieve a net-zero future in the chemical sector by 2050.

    DOI No.: https://doi.org/10.52548/SXWV6083

  • 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)

    Markets & Economy, Policy, Sustainability & Health

    3 Pages
    364 Downloads

    2024-09

    FREE

    Free Shipping
     

    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.

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

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

    Policy, Sustainability & Health, Technology

    60 Pages
    438 Downloads

    2024-07

    FREE

    Free Shipping
     

    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.

  • 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)

    Markets & Economy, Policy, Sustainability & Health

    3 Pages
    433 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.

     

  • 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
    423 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.

  • (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
    353 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
    106 Downloads

    2024-05

    FREE

    Free Shipping
     

    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.

  • breaking news – milestone for the transition to sustainable carbon in the european chemical industry (pdf)

    Call for Member States to support an EU Sustainable Carbon Policy Package as a part of a future green EU Industrial Deal (PDF)

    Markets & Economy, Policy, Sustainability & Health

    2 Pages
    380 Downloads

    2024-05

    FREE

    Free Shipping
     

    The signatories of this proposal urge Member States to support the EU Sustainable Carbon Policy Package for the 2024-2029 term of the European Commission.

    The Netherlands, the Czech Republic, France, and Ireland are advocating for an EU Sustainable Carbon Policy Package to transition the chemicals sector from fossil carbon to sustainable sources. This proposal, to be discussed at the Competitiveness Council on May 24, aims to enhance EU competitiveness, achieve climate targets, and secure raw material supplies by developing sustainable carbon markets and promoting innovative technologies. The initiative aligns with the Antwerp Declaration, the Enrico Letta Report, and the European Council Conclusions, and seeks to support job creation, industry growth, and climate neutrality.

  • rci position paper on chemical and physical recycling (pdf)

    RCI Position Paper on Chemical and Physical Recycling (PDF)

    Policy, Technology

    4 Pages
    887 Downloads

    2024-05

    FREE

    Free Shipping
     

    In this position paper, the RCI describes that chemical and physical recycling play essential roles in realising the objectives of the Green Deal and advancing the circular economy. These technologies are indispensable for the green transition.

    This position paper identifies eleven requirements to create secure demand, drive investment and further improve the technology field. These include general acceptance of the technology; mandatory recycled content for all polymers/plastics in all applications; recognition and clarification of rules for the calculation of recycling rates; full acceptance of mass balance & attribution with fuel-use excluded; accelerated approval of new chemical and physical recycling facilities; expansion of recycling infrastructure for all sectors beyond packaging; and the extension of CO2 pricing for waste incineration in the ETS combined with a landfill ban.

    Additionally, RCI advocates for a pragmatic approach, emphasising that while closed-loop recycling is a noble goal for sectors such as packaging, textiles and automobiles, it should not be approached too dogmatically. Flexibility is essential to prevent environmental and economic inefficiencies. If the waste stream of one sector can be better used in another, this should be possible.

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

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

    Markets & Economy, Policy, Technology

    43 Pages
    198 Downloads

    2024-05

    FREE

    Free Shipping
     

    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 was the upcoming position paper on Chemical and Physical Recycling.

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

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

    Policy, Sustainability & Health

    61 Pages
    1752 Downloads

    2024-02

    FREE

    Free Shipping
     

    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 was the latest scientific background report: “Non-level Playing Field for Renewable Materials vs. Fossil in Life Cycle Assessments – Critical aspects of the JRC Plastics LCA methodology and its policy implications”.

    In addition, three RCI member companies shared their expertise on renewable carbon, defossilisation and sustainable carbon cycles.

    AllocNow (speaker: Daniel Bochnitschek) talked about how the increasing demand for sustainable and low carbon products is driving the need for specific and comprehensive information on product carbon footprints. AllocNow discussed why standardisation of sustainability accounting methodologies is critical and how a data-driven approach can help create transparency at scale.

    Econic Technologies Ltd. (speaker: Liz Manning) spoke about the opportunities and challenges of quantifying the sustainability impact of key products in complex manufacturing supply chains.

    SCS Global Services (speakers: Miguel Ruiz and Jéssica Marcon Bressanin) highlighted its certification activities, focusing on biofuels and circular materials schemes, as well as greenhouse gas accounting methodologies.

    More information at https://renewable-carbon-initiative.com/media/library

  • rci’s internal survey: „how to enable the transition from fossil to renewable carbon in the chemical and material sector“ (january 2024)

    RCI’s Internal Survey: „How to enable the transition from fossil to renewable carbon in the chemical and material sector“ (January 2024)

    Policy, Sustainability & Health

    3 Pages
    659 Downloads

    2024-01

    FREE

     

    In a comprehensive member survey in summer 2023, the Renewable Carbon Initiative (RCI) has collected ideas and opinions on what is needed to enable the transition from fossil to renewable carbon in Europe. The feedback paints a clear picture and is a call to action.

    The European chemicals and materials sector is under pressure. RCI members, representing a wide range of these sectors, see many common elements in the key challenges and how to address them. High energy and raw material prices, as well as the need to defossilise carbon demand to meet CO2 emission targets, particularly in so-called “Scope 3” emissions, are some of the issues frequently raised.

  • 21 04 22 rc comic slides shop preview

    Nora and her flyphone on renewable carbon

    Policy, Sustainability & Health

    11 Pages
    1295 Downloads

    2024-01

    FREE

     
  • 21 04 22 rc comic din a4 shop preview

    Nora and her flyphone on renewable carbon (Comic)

    Policy, Sustainability & Health

    2 Pages
    824 Downloads

    2024-01

    FREE