Bio Based industry calls for legislative push to develop bio-plastics

Bio Based industry and Biodegradable Industries Association (BBIA) has called for a legislative framework to develop a UK bio-plastics sector.

Bio Based industry presenting a study carried out by Centre for Economics & Business Research (CEBR) at the House of Lords, it said the UK has the opportunity to develop a domestic bio-plastics industry able to support 35,000 jobs, produce £1bn in gross employment compensation and generate £2bn of gross value added to the economy, with a local production of 120,000 tonnes considering just relevant flexible and food-service packaging.

CEBR’S analysis shows that for the UK to fully capitalise on the industry’s potential, a supportive technological, legislative and commercial environment should be in place.

Key points included:

– The EU’s “Europe 2020” is an example of how support for the bio-plastics industry can be integrated into the continent’s strategy for achieving sustainable economic growth.

– Political support is crucial.

– Legislative support can drive growth.

– Unambiguous standards and labelling.

– A public procurement approach is needed.

“CEBR’s analysis, although limited to packaging, clearly shows the significant potential of a UK based bio-plastics industry” stated BBIA’s Chairman, Andy Sweetman. “The 5p bag charge, with a well-designed exemption for compostable carriers, represents an unmissable opportunity to develop a sector that can offer not just a wide range of benefits within the UK’s bioeconomy but also the ability to improve the country’s resource efficiency and sustainability.”