Universities and nova-Institute Launch PerPlacsBio to Tackle Plastic Pollution in Land Use Sectors

A red apple stamped with certification on a black background – illustrating biodegradable labelling for agricultural products.
Source: © nova-Institute

(IN BRIEF) The University of Münster, the University of Applied Forest Sciences Rottenburg and the nova-Institute have launched the PerPlacsBio project to assess the role of bio-based and biodegradable plastics in agriculture and forestry. Funded by the Agency for Renewable Resources, the project aims to reduce plastic pollution by identifying suitable applications, evaluating environmental and technical feasibility, and providing clear guidance for users, policymakers and industry. Building on findings from the BioSinn project, PerPlacsBio combines research, stakeholder engagement and public knowledge-sharing, while actively inviting expert input to strengthen its practical relevance.

(PRESS RELEASE) HÜRTH, 13-Jan-2026 — /EuropaWire/ — The University of Münster, the University of Applied Forest Sciences Rottenburg and the nova-Institute have launched a joint research initiative aimed at addressing plastic pollution in agriculture and forestry. The new project, titled PerPlacsBio – Prospects for bio-based and biodegradable plastics in agriculture and forestry, is funded by the Agency for Renewable Resources (FNR) as part of the “Sustainable Renewable Resources” programme and seeks to provide clear, evidence-based guidance on the use of biodegradable plastic alternatives in land-based production systems.

Plastic inputs into agricultural and forest soils remain a growing environmental concern, particularly due to the long-term impacts of microplastics on ecosystems. Despite this, farmers and foresters often lack practical recommendations on how to reduce plastic use, while uncertainty persists over when biodegradable plastics represent a genuinely sustainable alternative. PerPlacsBio aims to close this gap by systematically evaluating where bio-based and biodegradable plastics can meaningfully reduce environmental pollution without compromising technical performance or economic viability.

The project focuses on identifying suitable applications for biodegradable materials, assessing their environmental benefits and limitations, and strengthening knowledge transfer between research, industry and end users. All results generated by the project will be made publicly available to support informed decision-making in practice, policy development and business strategy.

Rows of lettuce plants growing on black mulch film in an outdoor field bed under sunny skies.
Source: © nova-Institute

Within the consortium, each partner brings complementary expertise. The nova-Institute will expand and consolidate existing knowledge on bio-based and biodegradable plastics, with particular emphasis on alternative materials, standards and certification systems, regulatory frameworks and decision-making criteria. The University of Münster and the University of Applied Forest Sciences Rottenburg will lead surveys across the agricultural and forestry sectors to better understand user requirements, attitudes and barriers to adoption.

Stakeholder engagement forms a central pillar of the project. Together with representatives from industry, academia and policy, the consortium will assess the feasibility of alternative materials and mitigation measures. A series of workshops organised by the nova-Institute will present interim findings, collect feedback and integrate practical experience into the research process.

PerPlacsBio builds directly on the earlier BioSinn project, which identified product categories where biodegradation offers clear environmental advantages because recycling or collection is impractical. BioSinn produced a comprehensive set of fact sheets covering 25 product types and provided detailed insights into technical substitution options, regulatory conditions and market relevance in Germany and the EU. These findings now serve as a foundation for the more targeted, sector-specific investigations undertaken in PerPlacsBio.

To further strengthen the project’s evidence base and ensure practical relevance, the consortium is inviting external experts to contribute knowledge and data on specific applications in agriculture and forestry. Areas of interest include binding yarns, flocculant aids, plant fastening systems, controlled-release fertilisers and pesticides, mulch films, seed coatings, bird ringing products, tree shelters and other relevant uses. Contributions on standards, certification schemes, policy developments, market volumes and emerging biodegradable solutions are particularly welcomed.

The team welcomes, among others, information on new or updated standards and certification schemes, recent policy developments, market volumes in Germany and the EU, and new biodegradable alternatives on the market or in development. Experts who can contribute knowledge or data are invited to contact Pauline Ruiz (pauline.ruiz@nova-institut.de) at the nova-Institute.

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nova-Institut GmbH has been working in the field of sustainability since the mid-1990s and focuses today primarily on the topic of renewable carbon cycles (recycling, bioeconomy and CO2 utilisation/CCU).

As an independent research institute, nova supports in particular customers in chemical, plastics and materials industries with the transformation from fossil to renewable carbon from biomass, direct CO2 utilisation and recycling.

Both in the accompanying research of international innovation projects and in individual, scientifically based management consulting, a multidisciplinary team of scientists at nova deals with the entire range of topics from renewable raw materials, technologies and markets, economics, political framework conditions, life cycle assessments and sustainability to communication, target groups and strategy development.

50 experts from various disciplines are working together on the defossilisation of the industry and for a climate neutral future.

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SOURCE: nova-Institut GmbH