Beyond Plastic: The Mediterranean Bioeconomy for a New Generation of Sustainable Materials

The term 'plastic' (the ability of a material to be easily moulded, deformed or shaped) has become progressively and indelibly associated with synthetic plastic materials composed of fossil fuel-derived polymers and, conversely, with their negative environmental impact. According to the new EU Bioeconomy Strategy, renewable bio-based polymers and materials have the potential to mitigate or solve the problems associated with the production and misuse of conventional plastics. They have the potential to lower the carbon footprint, develop new applications for biodegradable materials, and reduce dependency on imports of key chemical feedstocks. At the same time, they support the creation of local biomass value chains. However, bio-based products often face competition from cheaper fossil-based alternatives, risks in the supply of feedstock, weak market demand and longer authorisation timelines.

This workshop will discuss innovations in bio-based polymers and materials in the context of Italy and the Mediterranean Basin, arising from new synergies between biotechnology, the bio-based industry and the primary production sectors (agri-food, forestry, and fisheries).  Examples will be presented of products offering completely new functional properties that justify their market adoption beyond environmental credentials. These new bio-based polymers and materials are not merely 'plastic replacers', but a wholly novel generation of technological solutions. Therefore, certifications and standards are essential for demonstrating the value of bio-based polymers and materials, while providing transparent information on their sustainability.

Session Chairs

Lucia Gardossi, University of Trieste and Cluster SPRING
Mario Bonaccorso, Director at Cluster SPRING

Program 

Introduction by the Chairs

Materials to create products of tomorrow
Chiara Rodriquez, Materially Srl Impresa Sociale, Milano, Italy 

Sinergies with the agri-food sectors for the production of new materials at the service of agriculture
Sara Guerrini, Novamont, S.p.A, Novara, Italy

Bio-based materials from waste oils
Antonino Biundo, REWOW S.r.l., Italy

From fish processing waste to water soluble packaging
Giovanni Conti, Relicta Srl, Italy 

Orange solutions for sustainable textile
Enrica Arena, Orange Fiber S.r.l., Catania, Italy

Rational eco-design of biodegradable polymers to solve the microplastics emergency
Raffaele Bruschi, Università di Trieste, BeUp EU project 

Turning greenhouse gases into materials
Celmira Sousa, NatureWorks, LLC

The regional dimension of bioeconomy in the Mediterranean
Pierluigi Argoneto, Italian Circular Bioeconomy Cluster (SPRING), EU BioInSouth project
Luisa Mascia, project officer, Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking-CBE JU, Brussels

Indicators for implementing a sustainable Circular Bioeconomy
Marta Gomez San Juan, Office of Climate Change, Biodiversity and Environment, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rome (TBC)
Serenella Sala, Head of Land Resources and Supply Chain Assessments Unit, European Commission, Joint Research Center (TBC)