EU project BIO-PLASTICS EUROPE picks up speed
After the official start of the project in October 2019, the EU project BIO-PLASTICS EUROPE (www.bioplasticseurope.eu) looks back on a successful first project year. The 22 partners of the international project consortium defined the research focus, which focuses on selected bio-based and biodegradable plastic products, including (disposable) cutlery, hard and soft packaging, agricultural mulch films, children's toys and aquatic materials. Five different plastic alternatives have been tested in the laboratory since September 2020, with initial results expected at the beginning of the next year. A second focus of the work is on research into the biodegradability of bio-based plastics with the aim of providing concrete recommendations for EU policies, especially with regard to the EU plastics strategy and the EU recycling strategy. A further focus of work is the development of safety standards for bio-based plastic products for which there are currently insufficient established specifications. Besides the lab-based research on suitable bio-based and ideally biodegradable alternatives to conventional plastic products, the consortium partners have successfully established two networks: A Europe-wide research network for the exchange of the latest research results (EBRN) and a city network (HISCAP) dedicated to the Europe-wide exchange of success stories on the prevention of plastic waste. Follow our further progress, work and our stakeholder events on www.bioplasticseurope.eu!