European Bioplastics Conference: Sukano warns of disruption to biodegradable plastic adoption

16 Nov 2021 --- The EU Single Use Plastics Directive (SUPD) is hindering bioplastics’ potential for improving the packaging industry’s environmental footprint, according to specialty resin producer Sukano.

The European Bioplastics (EUBP) annual conference takes place physically and online this year in Berlin, Germany, on November 30 to December 1. The event brings the international bioplastics community together to exchange ideas concerning the bioplastics value chain. 

Ahead of the 16th conference, PackagingInsights discusses the power, variability and legislative confusion surrounding the bioplastics industry with Daniel Ganz, Sukano’s business development manager.

Ganz believes developing legal definitions of biodegradable and non-biodegradable bioplastics can advance the European circular economy and help EU Member States achieve their climate targets.

“Every single polymer has its own intrinsic properties, ultimately giving them a ‘best suitable for’ status for a given end application. The biodegradable plastics Sukano manufactures are either industrially-compostable, home-compostable, soil- and marine-degradable or all of these together,” he notes. 

“Specifically, in the case of polylactic acid (PLA), this polymer can also be mechanically recycled.” 

Promoting biodegradability 
Ganz says the SUPD stipulations, which ban the ten most commonly polluting single-use plastic items found on European beaches, are constraining the spread and benefits of biodegradable bioplastics.

Biodegradable plastics are not exempted from the EU’s Single Use Plastics Directive.“Some EU countries, like Italy, have real case examples of great practices and applications in single-use, where biodegradable plastics are preferred and supported by industrial composting as end-of-life,” he points out. 

Italy’s exemption of biodegradable single-use items led environmental activists to file a complaint with the European Commission, which may lead to legal proceedings. 

Although not part of the EU, Ganz also points to Switzerland as another leading example of industrial composting practices that could be mirrored in some applications to benefit waste management.

“Bioplastics have a value and a place going beyond single-use packaging applications. However, one cannot deny the SUPD prevents the widespread adoption of biodegradable plastics,” he asserts. 

Single Market breakdown 
While bioplastics have wide-reaching value, Ganz’s assertion the SUPD is hindering their adoption comes as many industry players voice concerns over a lack of clear guidance and hasty implementation of the landmark legislation, which some believe is leading to EU Single Market fragmentation. 

Notably, the EU trade association European Plastics Converters (EuPC) warned different nations are implementing varying interpretations of SUPD guidelines on biodegradable products, threatening a breakdown of the free movement of goods. 

“Each EU member country is interpreting the directive according to its own understanding and definitions. This [varied interpretation] may cause confusion and misalignment about how biodegradables should or can be used, thus slowing its adoption in the EU,” supports Ganz. European Plastics Converters warns different interpretations of SUPD guidelines on biodegradable products threatens the free movement of goods.

“If, on the one hand, the SUPD caused and still causes concerns, also because some of the definitions of ‘natural polymers’ are considered questionable within the scientific community, it also unveils new applications for bioplastics, showing how promising and resilient this industry will become.”

Defining bioplastics 
In other industry quarters, the chief concerns over bioplastics are that consumers may mistakenly believe all bioplastics are necessarily biodegradable. Moreover, critics warn bioplastic growth could exacerbate throwaway culture and continue flooding waste streams with needless trash. 

This year, a UK recycling expert told PackagingInsights governments must develop clearer definitions of “bio-based,” “biodegradable” and “compostable” plastics to avoid the “plethora of misinformation” causing pollution and stifling efforts to increase environmentally sustainable materials entering packaging markets. 

Ganz says Sukano’s annual attendance at the EUPC aims to promote an understanding of various biopolymers and how they can be utilized to promote a circular economy throughout Europe. 

“Sukano is present [at the conference] every year because biodegradable polymers are a strategic pillar of our business, and this venue connects all the dots and provides updates for any professional about the latest information from the market.”

“Needless to say, the networking opportunity is huge. Here we can meet many long-time industry colleagues, experts in bioplastics and biodegradables, and any newcomers. It is a great place for exchange.” 

By Louis Gore-Langton