According to BIC Director Dirk Carrez, the situation is straightforward: “Without quotas or supportive regulation, the market simply will not take off.” It is a striking observation, especially now that the global bioplastics market is growing by 13% per year — far faster than conventional plastics. While countries such as India and the United Arab Emirates explicitly allow bioplastics in packaging, Europe continues to move cautiously.
And yet, the sector is buzzing with energy. In Delfzijl, Avantium has built a commercial flagship plant for PEF — one of the most promising next-generation bioplastics. New European projects funded by CBE JU continue to push boundaries: from converting CO₂ into new polymers to pioneering barrier materials for multilayer packaging.
Elsewhere in Europe, innovators are also stepping up. Croatian company Bio-mi produces bioplastics from rice husks, tomato seeds and even chicken feathers. Dutch and Spanish technology developers transform waste streams into fully compostable plastics for coffee capsules, food packaging and coatings.
But one issue keeps coming back: scaling up remains the major bottleneck. Without clear European regulation, investment certainty and financial instruments for large demonstration projects, innovations risk remaining stuck in the laboratory.
More Member States and major consumer brands are starting to recognise the potential. The new EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) refers explicitly to biobased content for the first time — potentially a gamechanger for the sector. And the new European Bioeconomy Strategy 2025 arrives not a moment too soon.
Could this finally be the moment when biobased packaging shifts from niche to mainstream? The coming years will be decisive. One thing is clear: the technology is there, demand is rising, and the urgency has never been greater.
Read the full article ‘The Future of Bioplastics in Packaging’ on Agro&Chemistry
Image: Parilov/Shutterstock
