European Commission consults on bio-based plastics for packaging

The European Commission has launched a public consultation to determine if bio-based feedstock can serve as a substitute for recycled content in plastic packaging. The consultation, which runs until January 13, 2027, is part of the Article 8 review of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation.

If the Commission’s review of bio-based technology and environmental performance justifies legislative action, new rules could be introduced by February 2028. Potential measures include setting sustainability requirements for bio-based feedstock, establishing targets for its use in packaging, or allowing companies to meet recycled-content minimums using bio-based feedstock instead of post-consumer recyclate, specifically when suitable recycling technologies for food-contact packaging are unavailable.

Parallel efforts to bolster Europe’s bioeconomy are underway through EU-funded research. Projects in Spain and the Netherlands are currently converting organic waste, sewage sludge, and plant-based chemicals into coatings, fertilizers, and biodegradable materials. These initiatives aim to reduce European reliance on imported fossil resources and create new industrial markets.