nova-Institute launches expert workshop to help industry prepare for potential EU bio-based plastics quota and evolving regulatory landscape

nova-Institute launches expert workshop to help industry prepare for potential EU bio-based plastics quota and evolving regulatory landscape

(IN BRIEF) The nova-Institute is offering a specialised online workshop to help businesses and stakeholders prepare for potential EU regulations introducing quotas for bio-based plastics in packaging. With the European Commission exploring binding targets that could take effect as early as 2028, the initiative aims to provide timely insights into policy developments, sustainability considerations, and market readiness. The workshop will cover regulatory frameworks, carbon footprint comparisons between bio-based and fossil-based plastics, biomass availability, and detailed market data on commercially available bio-based polymers. Led by industry experts Christopher vom Berg and Michael Carus, the session is designed to equip participants with both strategic understanding and practical knowledge to navigate the transition toward a bio-based economy.

(PRESS RELEASE) HŪRTH, 27-Apr-2026 — /EuropaWire/ — The nova-Institute has introduced a focused expert workshop through its newly established Renewable Feedstock department, designed to help stakeholders navigate upcoming regulatory developments in the bio-based plastics sector.

As the European Commission evaluates the potential introduction of mandatory quotas for bio-based plastics in packaging, the policy landscape is beginning to take shape. While no formal decision has been finalized, current discussions indicate that binding targets could be implemented as early as 2028. Packaging is expected to serve as the initial application area, potentially setting a precedent for other industries such as automotive, textiles, construction, and consumer goods.

In response to these developments, nova-Institute is hosting a two-hour online workshop aimed at delivering the latest intelligence on policy direction, market preparedness, and sustainability considerations surrounding bio-based plastics.

The session will provide participants with a comprehensive overview of the evolving regulatory framework, including potential quota levels, implementation timelines, and the likelihood of expansion into additional sectors. It will also examine current regulatory requirements, such as industrial compostability standards for certain applications.

A key component of the workshop will address the environmental performance of bio-based plastics, particularly their carbon footprint in comparison to fossil-based alternatives. Discussions will explore how updated life cycle assessment methodologies are influencing sustainability evaluations, including recent changes in life cycle inventory databases that highlight higher emissions associated with conventional plastics and new approaches to accounting for biogenic carbon.

The availability of biomass resources will form another important topic. Attendees will gain insight into global and European projections assessing whether sufficient feedstock exists to support a large-scale transition to bio-based materials across industries.

In addition to policy and sustainability insights, the workshop will offer practical market intelligence. Participants will receive a detailed overview of bio-based polymers currently available, including their production capacities, pricing trends, and suitability for various applications. The session will cover 17 commercially available bio-based plastics, outlining their production volumes as well as key producers, compounders, and suppliers.

The workshop will be led by Christopher vom Berg, head of the Renewable Feedstock department, alongside Michael Carus, founder of nova-Institute and a senior expert in the field.

Two sessions are scheduled to accommodate participants:
30 April 2026 from 14:00 to 16:00 CET
28 May 2026 from 14:00 to 16:00 CET

Two dates are available:

30 April 2026, 2:00–4:00 pm (CET): https://events.renewable-carbon.eu/event/are-you-prepared-for-a-bio-based-quota/

28 May 2026, 2:00–4:00 pm (CET): https://events.renewable-carbon.eu/event/are-you-prepared-for-a-bio-based-quota-2/

Participation fee: €199

In addition to the public sessions, in-house workshops for companies are also available. For enquiries, please contact: christopher.vomberg@nova-institut.de

The participation fee is set at €199. In addition to the public sessions, tailored in-house workshops are available for companies seeking more specific guidance.

Since the mid-1990s, the nova-Institute has been dedicated to sustainability and today focuses primarily on renewable carbon cycles. As an independent research institute, it supports companies – particularly from the chemical, plastics, and materials industries – in the use of renewable carbon derived from biomass, direct CO₂ utilisation (CCU), and recycling.

With a multidisciplinary team of scientists, the nova-Institute participates in international innovation projects and provides science-based management consulting. The institute follows a holistic approach: its experts analyse which technologies and raw materials are suitable for specific products, in which markets their application is feasible, which regulatory frameworks apply, how sustainable the solutions are, and how they can be successfully positioned in the market.

Based on these analyses, the team develops tailored strategies to support the transformation from fossil to renewable carbon. Around 50 experts from various disciplines work together to drive the defossilisation of industry – for a climate-neutral future.

More information: www.nova-institute.eu – www.renewable-carbon.eu

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Media Contact:

Dr. Lars Börger (CEO)
nova-Institut für politische und ökologische Innovation GmbH
Leyboldstraße 16 Tel: +49 2233 460 14 00
50354 Hürth Fax +49 2233 460 14 01
Germany contact@nova-institut.de

SOURCE: nova-Institut GmbH