Martin Clemesha, Biopolymers & Advocacy Senior Specialist at Braskem, discusses the impact of BioReCer’s certification guidelines on bio-based materials, sustainability, and the future of the circular bioeconomy.
The BioReCer (Biological Resources Certifications Schemes) project is redefining how bio-based materials are certified, aligning with the EU’s latest sustainability and circular economy objectives.
Focused on enhancing current certification systems, BioReCer introduces new criteria that comply with the EU taxonomy and corporate due diligence regulations.
These updated guidelines aim to improve the sustainability, origin verification, and traceability of biological resources across both European and global markets.
By strengthening trust in bio-based materials and supporting their trade, BioReCer will help boost their use, value, and social acceptance – driving forward a more sustainable, circular bioeconomy.
To explore what this means for the industry, we speak with Braskem’s Martin Clemesha, who shares insights into how BioReCer’s evolving certification standards can impact production strategies, enhance supply chain transparency, and help accelerate the adoption of bio-based solutions across global markets.
The company you represent is engaged in the production of bioplastics and bio-based materials. How do you see the importance of the new guidelines and certifications developed by BioReCer to ensure the sustainability and traceability of bio-based products, and how could these influence your production strategy?
For bio-based plastics to grow from the current 1% market share penetration to the average 20% sustainable potential mapped in several reports and roadmaps, some level of legislative support will be needed.
That’s because although scalable and competitive with other alternatives, bio-based solutions can’t compete with fossil-based plastics in the current landscape. While policymakers in Europe are aware of this situation, one of the missing aspects of bio-based solutions is the lack of a set of sustainability criteria and a reliable system to report and monitor the flows of biogenic carbon throughout the value chains.
If the guidelines and certification developed by BioReCer help the European Commission tackle this challenge, the project can certainly be considered a success. Regarding Braskem’s production strategy, we already sell both ISCC+ and Bonsucro-certified I’m greenTM bio-based polyethene, EVA and waxes to the European market, so we trust our supply chain is ready and, more importantly, willing to take the actions needed to ensure compliance.
The transition to a circular bioeconomy requires a strong commitment from industries. What actions is Braskem taking to adapt to a more sustainable bioeconomy, and how could the adoption of certification standards like those proposed by BioReCer support this process?
Braskem started producing bio-based plastics from responsibly sourced bioethanol in 2010. Beyond expanding our portfolio from this feedstock under our I’m greenTM bio-based brand (100% segregated with measurable content ranging from 80% to 100%), we also have in our sustainable portfolio bio-attributed (mass balance) solutions in regions where we aren’t yet able to buy or still don’t have the need to work with segregated bio-based monomers.
We also established Braskem Siam, a joint venture with SGG Chemicals in Thailand with the aim of adding, in Asia, a yearly production capacity of 200kt I’m greenTM bio-based polyethylene to the existing 275kt in Brazil. Another joint investment was made with Sojitz to create the company Sustainea Bioglycols, which will produce MEG (mono-ethylene-glycol) and MPG (mono-propylene-glycol), important bio-based building blocks for the chemical industry.
By 2030, our goal is to reach 1Mt production capacity of bio-based or attributed products. We have a robust, responsible sourcing programme that applies to all our current bioethanol suppliers and is aligned with sustainable sourcing principles from Bonsucro and ISEAL. Over 75% of our sales are either Bonsucro or ISCC+ certified.
With the evolution of certification criteria and the introduction of technologies like the BioReCer ICT Tool, what role do you see for the industry in promoting transparency in the bioplastics supply chain and improving consumer trust in bio-based products?
These certification standards are important to level the playing field and foster a spirit of continuous improvement. Another important aspect is related to public awareness and support. Any initiative that supports the education of the citizens towards making responsible consumption choices is welcome and urgently needed.
Unfortunately, we still have a long way to go in this regard since most people don’t fully understand the need to shift to a circular bioeconomy. Our role as an industry is to make sure we contribute as much as possible towards a positive outcome of the project, and if the outcome proves to be effective, we adopt it as soon as possible.
Acknowledgments
The project BioReCer (No 101060684) has received funding from the European Union.
Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or European Research Executive Agency. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
This article is part of the communication activities carried out by Cittadinanzattiva/Active Citizenship Network in the context of the EU-funded project BioReCer (Biological Resources Certifications Schemes) with the support of INNOVATION NEWS NETWORK.
For more information, visit the project website at https://biorecer.eu, and watch the project video for a quick overview:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hi5CVZpkV2k,
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