European Bioplastics chairman Andy Sweetman called the strategy a “good start” but added “more specific actions to support biobased industries in Europe are needed.”
The European Commission strategy, “Innovating for Sustainable Growth: A bioeconomy for Europe”, aims to shift focus to using more renewable resources from a fossil-based economy.
The food industry is among the areas identified for more sustainable use of renewable resources and environmental protection.
Europe lagging behind
The strategy aims to bring Europe up to speed with United States, Canada and China who have already made progress in renewable resources.
Sweetman added: “We support the EU in setting up a fundamental strategy to support the growth of the biobased industries in Europe.
“But we had hoped for more specific measures for bioplastics to be integrated into the strategy, like those developed by the EU lead market advisory group for biobased products.
Need for stronger measures
“The bioplastics industry is technologically well developed and can demonstrate a wide range of mature applications already today. What we need are strong measures to support the market development of bioplastics products,” he added.
The European Commission recommendations, adopted in December last year, contain measures on market access, feedstock supply, public procurement and consumer communications.
“The strategy will support more resource-efficient food supply chains in line with the Roadmap to a Resource Efficient Europe and the Blue Growth Initiative,” said the recommendations.
“Advancements in bioeconomy research and innovation uptake will allow Europe to improve the management of its renewable biological resources and to open new and diversified markets in food and bio-based products,” it added.
The bio-economy strategy will be presented to member states next week (21 February 2012).