New trade body launched to support UK bioeconomy

The Biobased and Biodegradable Industries Association (BBIA) will start operating shortly after the General Election by presenting its first report on the potential financial and employment benefits to the British economy of the use of compostable materials as a road map for the new Government.

The body has been formed two months after initially being announced as the British Association of Biobased and Biodegradable Chemicals (BABBC).

Engage policymakers

BBIA will promote the production and use of bio-based and biodegradable materials; encourage investment opportunities; develop scientific analysis of environmental and economic impacts; intervene on matters related to waste management, soil, air and water quality; and define nationally and internationally recognised standards and certification programmes.

Founder David Newman, currently President of the International Solid Waste Association (ISWA) and former Managing Director of Greenpeace Italia and Secretary General of the Italian Bioplastics Association said: “We will immediately engage policy-makers, civil servants and the public to help establish a more competitive, innovative and sustainable Britain.

“Over the next decade, the circular bioeconomy may play an increasingly important role in boosting the UK economy by revitalising rural areas and obsolete industrialised sites while providing more growth and jobs”.”

European partnership

A second development that will support the sector’s continued growth is a new partnership between the National Non-Food Crops Centre (NNFCC) and the Fachagentur Nachwachsende Rohstoffe (FNR), the central coordinating agency for renewable resources in Germany.

The NNFCC provides clients with information on feedstock, technology, policy and market developments across the bioeconomy so they can make informed business decisions and develop sustainable business strategies.

The two partners will work together moving forward on the strategic development of the bioeconomy in the UK and Germany, by exchange market information and regularly review policy developments in the UK and Germany to identify policy, market and technology barriers, opportunities for collaboration and examples of best practice.

The NNFCC and FNR have had a long-standing working relationship having both been founding members of the European Renewable Resources and Materials Association (ERRMA).

Obstacles

Dr Jeremy Tomkinson, NNFCC CEO said: “Through this agreement to share information and knowledge, NNFCC and FNR will enhance and increase the rate of bioeconomy development not only in the UK and Germany, but throughout Europe.”

Dr. Ing. Andreas Sshütte, FNR managing director said: “The cooperation with NNFCC is an essential component of our European network. This is the foundation for the efficient development of the bioeconomy on a European level.”

Last week the NNFCC launched its second annual anaerobic digestion deployment report. Speaking at Sustainability Live about the report, the NNFCC said the AD industry faced a range of difficulties to overcome to enable further development, such as supply chain security, especially food waste contracts, and a ‘perverse’ cost control mechanism.

Lucinda Dann