Bio-based plastics in a sustainable and circular bioeconomy
‣ In the context of growing global demand of plastic products, bio-based plastics are generally included in the strategies to mitigate associated climate change and environmental impacts.
‣ Bio-based plastics include a broad category of polymers that can have a fossil-based counterpart or not, be biodegradable or not. In this brief, they are classified based on the step in the production process where fossil feedstocks are replaced by biomass.
‣ As of 2025, bio-based and biodegradable plastics accounted globally for roughly 0.5 % of the total plastics production. Global annual production capacity is around 2.3 Mt, and based on announced capacity expansions, it is projected to grow to about 4.7 Mt by 2030.
‣ The scale up of the sector is challenged by several issues, mainly related to competitiveness, sustainable feedstock sourcing and use, end of life management, assessment of environmental impacts, innovation aspects (e.g. technical development), and consumers’ attitudes.
‣ The bio-based plastic industry could potentially grow in the EU, relying on domestic feedstock. Such development is expected not only to bring socio-economic advantages in terms of job opportunities and strategic autonomy, but also to help improve recyclability and end-of-life management.
‣ Replacing fossil feedstocks generally lowers the greenhouse gas emissions over the product’s whole life cycle, while for the other environmental impact categories trade-offs may also occur.
MOLENVELD Karin;
BORZACCHIELLO Maria Teresa;
MAGNOLFI Valeria;
2026-02-18
European Commission
JRC145443
https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC145443,
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