European policies impacting bioplastics

Transcription

1 European policies impacting bioplastics An assessment Dirk Carrez Managing Director Clever Consult bvba

2 The value and innovation chain Value chain Agricultural Feedstock Chemical or biotech industry Biopolymers (intermediate platform chemicals) (Bio)plastics industry Bioplastic Consumer Products Recycling Composting Innovation chain Agricultural Feedstock R&D Knowledge Upscaling / small scale production Bioplastic Consumer Products Policies Access to Raw Material Technology Push (R&D) Tech Transfer & Deployment (Innovation) Market Pull

3 Access to raw material (1) Raw Materials Initiative [COM(2008) 699] & Tackling the challenges in commodity markets and on raw materials [COM(2011) 25] Framework to address sustainable access to raw materials, as well as on resource efficiency and recycling. Focus: energy (oil and gas), metals and minerals, agriculture and food. A resource-efficient Europe (Europe 2020 Flagship initiative) Supports the shift towards a resource-efficient, low-carbon economy to achieve sustainable growth. Provides a long-term framework for actions in many policy areas: climate change, energy, transport, industry, raw materials, agriculture, fisheries, biodiversity and regional development. A Roadmap for moving to a competitive low carbon economy in 2050 [COM(2011) 112] Agricultural and forestry are also providing the resources for bio-energy and industrial feedstocks, and this hould be addressed in the Common Agriculture Policy legislative proposals for 2013 as well as the forthcoming Bio-economy Communication. Roadmap to a resource efficient Europe [COM(2011)57] Increase use of biodegradable waste for bioenergy and bioproducts

4 Access to raw material (2) Common Agricultural Policy (CAP ) Pillar 1: direct payments and market supports made greener. Pillar 2: rural development (e.g. encouraging efficient resource use and the transition to a lowcarbon economy). Extra budget for research and innovation on food security, the bio-economy and sustainable agriculture. Agriculture Council (19 July): In the context of a debate on the future of the Common Agricultural Policy and the improvement of European agriculture s competitiveness, the Polish Presidency will pay special attention to supporting investments relating to the development of renewable energy in rural areas and will promote measures aimed at increasing energy production from by-products of agriculture and the leftovers of the agri-food industry. Agriculture Council (20 September): Energy use of biomass of agricultural origin as an important element of the CAP Conclusions: CAP: focus today is on health and well-being, biodiversity, birdlife, food production and food quality, food price, etc. The possible role of the CAP for the biobased economy (industrial use) is rarely mentioned. Polish Presidency puts the focus on energy use of biomass of agricultural origin, not industrial use.

5 Research and innovation EU funding programme for research and innovation FP7 ( ) Horizon 2020 ( ) Total: 55 billion 80 billion KBBE: 2 billion 4,5 billion Key Enabling Technologies (KET) Recommend to support the full and simultaneous implementation of the three pillar bridge model along the innovation chain: from basic research, through technological research, product development and prototyping up to globally competitive manufacturing. Recommends that the EU and Member States firmly rebalance their RDI funding in KETs-related programmes towards technological research and product development (including pilot lines, prototypes, first-in-kind equipment and facilities and demonstrator activities). Conclusions Research well supported in the EU. Need to bridge the gap from research to market.

6 Market pull & incentives (general) Policies LMI Biobased Products Advisory Group developed series of recommendations Incentives: targets (cfr. biofuels), reducing taxes for sustainable bio-based product categories, support the development of new, sustainable bio-based products' production processes, CAP should promote the production of renewable raw materials for all industrial uses (industrial material and bioenergy). Encourage public procurement for biobased products via the European Green Public Procurement framework. Develop European and international standards (e.g. bio-degradability, bio-based carbon content, recyclability, and sustainability). Develop a common methodology for sustainability assessment based on all three pillars of sustainability: environmental, social and economic. Allow bio-based plastic to enter all waste collection and recovery systems, including composting, recycling and energetic recovery (depending on the type of plastic). Bio-based plastics certified compostable according to EN should gain unhindered access to biowaste collection. Systems for recovery and recycling of bio-based packaging should be supported by the Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive (PPWD). Etc. Conclusions Implementation of the recommendations seems to be a major hurdle. Progress is mainly being made in the standards area.

7 Market pull & incentives (specific) Directive 2004/12/EC on Packaging & Packaging Waste Promotes separate collection for packaging waste and guarantees market access to all packaging that complies with the essential requirements. It does not allow Member States introducing arrangements favouring packaging made from bioplastics. Shopping bag policy (based on Regulation EN 13432) Some Member States have adopted a flurry of measures to reduce the use of (single use) plastic carrier bags (favouring bioplastic bags), some of them raising legal issues. EU action is being considered but none of the options put forward, including a ban, seem to get unanimous support. Directive 99/31/EC on the Landfill of Waste The objective of the Directive is to prevent or reduce as far as possible negative effects on the environment from the landfilling of waste, Promotes recycling, composting and incineration, and obliges Member States to set up national strategies to reduce biodegradable waste going to landfill. Encourages the development of compostable packaging. Conclusions: Several policies focusing on plastics and packaging in place, but not specifically promoting (biodegradable) bioplastics or packaging.

8 Recycling Closing the loop Directive 2008/98/EC on waste (Waste Framework Directive) This Directive establishes a legal framework for the treatment of waste. It aims at protecting the environment and human health through the prevention of the harmful effects of waste generation and waste management. In order to better protect the environment, the Member States should take measures for the treatment of their waste in line with the following hierarchy which is listed in order of priority: The recovery of waste should be encouraged so as to preserve natural resources. Directive 99/31/EC on the Landfill of Waste COM(2010)235 : Communication on bio-waste management options and possible future steps in this area Focus on bio-degradable garden, kitchen and food waste. Compostable bioplastics and their food diversion potential not taken into account. Conclusions: Compostable bioplastics have no access today to waste management system.

9 However COM(2011)571 Roadmap to a resource efficient Europe Energy, food, buildings and mobility sectors consume the most resources Recommends an integrated approach across many policy areas. The instruments employed will include legislation, market-based instruments, refocusing of funding instruments and promotion of sustainable production and consumption. Clear targets and indicators will be developed by 2013, through a participative process involving policy makers, experts, NGOs, business and consumers. Mentions More investment in innovation for green chemistry and biodegradable materials and Use recyclable/biodegradable packaging and develop composting of biowaste for the Food sector. Communication on Sustainable Food (2013) COM(2011)571 proposes to integrate Use recyclable/biodegradable packaging in this Communication EU Food Safety Day (15 September 2011): EC stated that Bio-plastics represent a concrete example of innovative and sustainable food packaging that could be part of the solution provided that a number of challenges are addressed. We must ensure that the production of bio-plastics does not imply competition with edible food and that separate collection systems for the bio-plastic waste are in place. Conclusions: Although there is a danger that the new Resource Efficienct Europe Strategy will mainly strengthen recycling through strong measures (e.g. usage quotas), neglecting bioplastics, there are clear signals that use of recyclable/compostable packaging will be promoted in the next food policies