Rebuilding Competitiveness through Circular and Biobased Plastics in Europe

On June 25, 2026, our colleague Lukas Hermwille (Wuppertal Institute) participated as an invited panellist in an online webinar co-hosted by ECCO Climate and Net Zero Milan, discussing the profound transformation of the European chemical industry, which is currently facing a structural decline in competitiveness and a steady reduction in production capacity. The webinar brought together researchers working on industrial decarbonisation and circularity as well as experts from the recycling, bioplastics, and biomaterials sectors and attracted more than 144 live participants.

Echoing the findings of the project's first Industry Guide, released in May 2026, one of the webinar's key messages was that recycling and bio-based chemistry offer a strategic opportunity to drive innovation, restore competitiveness, and support industrial sectors currently under pressure. Participants also highlighted the importance of creating stable demand for recycled and bio-based materials, alongside establishing clear sustainability criteria for bio-based feedstocks and applications, as key priorities for accelerating the transition of the plastics sector.