RM27 by Edizioni Ambiente

RENEWABLE MATTER INTERNATIONAL MAGAZINE ON THE BIOECONOMY AND THE CIRCULAR ECONOMY 27 | May-June 2019 Bimonthly Publication Edizioni Ambiente

Circular Economy 3.0

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•• Alexandre Lemille: Humans as Predators, Nature as Prey •• Schmidt: The Real Value of Food •• Sandrine Dixon-Decleve: The Time is Now

Circular Economy Stakeholder Conference •• Reportage: All Together for Europe •• The State of the European Biobased Economy •• LCA, a Vital Tool

Here Comes Asia •• Thailand’s Bioeconomy Dossier •• Circular Japan •• India’s Billion Dollar E-Waste Market

Solutions •• Plastic: Recycling Switches Lane •• A Sustainable and Circular Ice-Cream-Tub •• Retrace Project

SPLIT-SECOND VISION. LONG-LASTING SUCCESS. As the green economy rapidly grows, the value and demand of high-quality recycled content such as rPET have increased exponentially. Introducing an INNOvative sensor solution for sorting PET flakes from the market leader at attractive conditions.

See why weâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;re MATERIALLY DIFFERENT www.tomra.com/recycling

Lorenzo Marini Group

Whitford srl, Ivar spa, Poloplast srl, Candy Hoover - Gias srl, Davines spa, Olearia F.lli De Cecco srl.

www.conai.org

UN SOLO VINCITORE: L’AMBIENTE. CON NOI C’È CONAI.

Con il Patrocinio del

THE PROPER CORPORATE MANAGEMENT OF USED LUBRICATING OIL

DONâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;T LET YOUR BUSINESS LOSE OUT ON OIL Campaign for the correct management of used mineral oil

Lubricating oil is hazardous waste and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s important to be aware of detention and storage in-house procedures. Properly handled, it can be collected and regenerated, creating a perfect circular economy system. Waste quality is essential and begins with industries, protagonists of a recovery and reuse virtuous cycle. For this reason, the Italian Consortium for management, collection and processing of used mineral oils, in collaboration with Confindustria, will meet the companies with Circoil Economy, a national itinerant campaign, to inform about used lubricating oil management and value.

Follow the tour on the website www.conou.it/it/circoileconomy

WE REOPEN OLD FACTORIES WITH A NEW KEY: the BIOECONOMY. We are the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leading company in the sector of bioplastics and in the development of bioproducts obtained through the integration of chemistry, environment and agriculture. One of our main goals is the regeneration of local areas. This is an objective that we pursue by turning no-longer competitive or abandoned industrial and research sites into real infrastructures of bioeconomy, generating new value and new jobs.

Mater-Biotech plant for bio-butanediol production, resulting from the redevelopment of an industrial site in North East Italy.

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Editorial

by Emanuele Bompan

Let’s declare a planetary emergency. Renewable Matter embraces the request of Extinction Rebellion, a non-violent ecorevolutionary movement that occupied the streets and bridges of London for two weeks and could soon spread outside the UK. Extinction Rebellion demands three things: 1) the government must tell the truth and hence declare a state of climate and ecological emergency, cooperating with other institutions to communicate the need for urgent change; 2) stop biodiversity loss; 3) reduce greenhouse gas emissions reaching net zero emissions by 2025.

Extinction Rebellion, https://rebellion.earth Fridays For Future, www.fridaysforfuture.it 350.org

Extinction Rebellion joins other protests such as Fridays For Future and the long-running American 350.org, gaining recognition and coverage from mainstream media which had initially described them as “much ado about nothing.” And this rebel crowd has obtained results: Jeremy Corbin sustained a motion in the UK parliament to declare a climate emergency and a similar initiative was also undertaken by Scotland’s Prime Minister Nicola Sturgeon as well as several other councils throughout the UK and Europe. The wave is gaining momentum. Climate change, biodiversity loss and planetary devastation are no longer under control, despite continuous attempts to change the economic sector, regulate emissions and protect biodiversity. Measures adopted so far have been shy and based on compromise. The latest IPBES report on natural capital erosion is just another stark example of this. As Greta Thunberg reminds us, our house is on

fire. And when something is on fire we must act in the most timely and serious of manners. But, so far humanity has lacked this environmental gravitas. We have tackled our planet’s destruction as a farce, using a series of absurd masks: from negationists to oil tycoons, green marketing experts, self-serving environmentalists, and sovereigns deserving to be forgotten not only by history but also by the media. The protest’s scale is getting bigger: it could potentially become an environmental 1968, spreading the seed of peaceful as well as educated, creative and situationist uprising. More and more people are understanding how serious the current global transformation is becoming. As the Italian journalist Elisabetta Corrà brilliantly expressed it: “the speed of climate change, and more importantly biodiversity loss, puts us in a very special condition that Hannah Arendt defined as ‘terror of necessity’ […] Arendt understood that recognising an enormous common threat is a formidable political spark to start major changes, it is a question of either governing or enduring. Extinction Rebellion, by demanding the truth, brings British society (and others as well) face to face with the terrible need for a brutal and pragmatic awakening. The terror of necessity thus becomes the need to put ourselves in a psychological frame of mind, with every single cell of our heavy bodies and brains, to understand that we are faced with an imminent, serious and fatal danger.” So what are we to do? We must get out of our comfort zone and open our eyes to the emergency. It does not matter whether you are a CEO, researcher or political figure, the time has come to work to transform our economy, changing first of all – and this will be difficult – our habits, but above all sharpen our wits to guarantee, as Kate Raworth clearly illustrated in her “doughnut economy”, social justice to all without eroding our planet’s resources. A task that a specialised magazine such as Renewable Matter must hold in the foreground, continuing to offer food for thought and good practices, as well as taking a critical approach towards itself and its closest supporters. Our house is on fire and we want to be the water that puts it out.

The Time is Now: Investing

by Sandrine DixsonDecleve

Sandrine DixsonDecleve is Co- President of The Club of Rome with 30 years of experience in European and international policy, business leadership and strategy experience with a particular focus on EU and international climate change, sustainable development, green growth, conventional and sustainable energy solutions and sustainable finance.

in a Climate Emergency Plan The global wave of student climate strikes and the massive campaign of non-violent civil disobedience led by the Extinction Rebellion have thrust the existential threat posed by climate change into the global spotlight. Coupled with stark warnings issued by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report last October on the impact of 1.5C and 2C warming above pre-industrial levels, and the devastating effects of climate-related disasters, there is but one conclusion to be drawn: it is time to act now! The only possible response is emergency action to transform our social, economic and financial systems. Fifty years ago, the Club of Rome alerted the world to the environmental and demographic challenges ahead. The central message of The Limits to Growth â&#x20AC;&#x201C; A Report to the Club of Rome was that the quest for unlimited growth in population, material goods and resources on a finite planet would eventually result in collapse of both economic and environmental systems. Unfortunately, based on growing scientific evidence in the intervening decades and unless humanity radically changes course, this conclusion remains as valid today as it was then. But the future need not be a disaster. Instead, by fully recognising the climate challenge, a basis could be created for a societal renaissance, ensuring well-being for the many and harmony between humanity and nature. However, this would require the collective implementation of far-reaching emergency action. A fundamental part of such action is the shift towards clean energy, which should be seen in the light of recent figures released by the International Energy Agency (IEA), showing that energy-related CO2 emissions increased by 1.7% in 2018 compared to the previous year. Fossil fuels met nearly 70% of a burgeoning growth in global energy demand, with coal-fired power generation accounting for 30% of all energy-related CO2 emissions. Coal power expansion more than offset phase-outs elsewhere. These increases come despite growth in renewable energy hitting double-digits, with a 31% increase in solar alone. This substantial growth simply wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t

enough to keep pace with a significant rise in global demand for electricity. These figures show that the current level of investment in renewables is woefully inadequate to shift the global energy landscape onto a cleaner, greener pathway. The following priority actions, as laid down in the Club of Romeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Climate Emergency Plan, respond directly to that urgent need by providing a precise roadmap with clear timetables and targets: 1. Halt fossil fuel expansion and fossil fuel subsidies by 2020: no new investments in coal, oil and gas exploration and development by 2020 and a phase-out of the existing fossil fuel industry by 2050. Phase-out of fossil fuel subsidies by 2020. Redirect such funds in support of investments in renewables and energy efficiency. 2. Continue the doubling of wind and solar capacity every four years, and triple annual investments in renewable energy, energy efficiency and low-carbon technologies for high-emitting sectors before 2025: Give priority to developing countries to avoid lock-in to the carbon economy and adopt sustainable finance taxonomies and disclosure requirements for private and public investors. 3. Impose realistic pricing and taxation to reflect the true cost of fossil fuel use and embedded carbon by 2020: introduce carbon floor prices and converge carbon markets and instruments globally. Tax embedded carbon through targeted consumption taxes. Direct tax revenues to research, development and innovation for low-carbon solutions, cutting taxes or propping up the welfare state. Clearly there are many other issues which need attention if humanity is to live in harmony with the planet, and with itself, not least the preferred longer-term social and economic frameworks. However, unless climate change is addressed as an emergency, those debates become academic as the opportunity for constructive human development will not exist. The time is now to respond to this urgency if we want to not only survive but emerge stronger, as a thriving civilisation in balance with our planetary boundaries.

R M RENEWABLE MATTER INTERNATIONAL MAGAZINE ON THE BIOECONOMY AND THE CIRCULAR ECONOMY www.renewablematter.eu/en ISSN 2385-2240 Reg. Tribunale di Milano n. 351 del 31/10/2014 Editor-in-chief Emanuele Bompan Managing editor Marco Moro Editorial Director for Edizioni Ambiente Contributors Irene BaĂąos Ruiz, Silvia Barbero, Francesco Bassetti, Mario Bonaccorso, Ilaria Nicoletta Brambilla, Carol J. Clouse, Chiara De Carli, Emanuele Del Rosso (cartoon page 5), Sandrine Dixson-Decleve, Soumik Dutta, Alexandre Lemille, Cillian Lohan, Giorgia Marino, Amina Pereno, Francesco Petrucci, Elisa Poggiali, D. Reike, Antonella Ilaria Totaro, W.J.V. Vermeulen, S. Witjes, Silvia Zamboni Editor Maria Pia Terrosi (Italian edition) Francesco Bassetti (English edition)

27|May-June 2019 Contents

Emanuele Bompan

Sandrine Dixson-Decleve

The Time is Now: Investing in a Climate Emergency Plan

NEWS

Walter J.V. Vermeulen, Denise Reike, Sjors Witjes

Circular Economy 3.0

Alexandre Lemille

Avoid Collapse: Designing an Equitable Circular System That Preserves Humanity

Emanuele Bompan

The Europe to Come

Francesco Bassetti

The Real Value of Food Interview with Peter Schmidt

Ilaria Nicoletta Brambilla

Circular Economy Stakeholder Conference

Cillian Lohan

A Reflection on the European Circular Economy Stakeholder Platform

Mario Bonaccorso

Dossier Thailand Thailand: A Very Biotech Bioeconomy

Silvia Zamboni

Dossier Japan Circular Japan

Editorial Staff

Think Thank

Policy

Editorial coordinator Paola Cristina Fraschini Design & Art Direction Mauro Panzeri Layout & Infographics Michela Lazzaroni Community manager Antonella Ilaria Totaro Translations Patrick Bracelli, Erminio Cella, Laura Coppo, Franco Lombini, Mario Tadiello

World Editorial Staff

The Mixed State of the European Bio-Based Economy Interview with Michael Carus

Editorial Staff

Italy Has a New Bioeconomy Strategy

Ilaria Nicoletta Brambilla

Itelyum: Circular Economy, Systemic Vision

Executive Coordinator Anna Re

Soumik Dutta

Urban Mining: India’s Billion Dollar E-Waste Market

Chiara De Carli

Plastics: Recycling in Hospital Wards Interview with Susanne Backer

Giorgia Marino

There’s Good in CO2 (If You Know How to Find It) Interview with Fabrizio Pirri

Carol J. Clouse

Fighting Single-Use Plastics

Ilaria Nicoletta Brambilla

A Sustainable and Circular Ice Cream

Elisa Poggiali

Ecological Beauty

Silvia Barbero, Amina Pereno

RETRACE Project

Irene Baños Ruiz

Exploring Life Cycle Assessments Interview with Marcus Wendin

Editorial Staff

Innovative and Sustainable Packaging

3SIXTY: Plastic Bottles Turned into Linen

Piñatex: The Fabric Made from Pineapple Leaves

Certifying Recycled Plastic with Flustix

Jewellery From Upcycled Silver, by Floios

Circular by Law Climate: UN Experts Call for Decisive Action

External Relations Manager (International) Federico Manca External Relations Manager (Italy) Anna Re Press and Media Relations press@renewablematter.eu Contact info@renewablematter.eu Edizioni Ambiente Via Natale Battaglia 10 20127 Milano, Italia t. +39 02 45487277 f. +39 02 45487333 Advertising marketing@materiarinnovabile.it Annual subscription Subscribe on-line at www.renewablematter.eu/en/ subscription This magazine is made in Dejavu Pro by Ko Sliggers Published and printed in Italy at GECA S.r.l., San Giuliano Milanese (Mi) Copyright ©Edizioni Ambiente 2019 All rights reserved

Startup Antonella Ilaria Totaro

Columns Francesco Petrucci

Cover Details of the Japanese flag. Above: its graphical construction. Wikimedia Commons CC 3.0

renewablematter 27. 2019

NEWS

by the Editorial Staff

Living Water

Bioeconomy and Common Agricultural Policy (CAP)

Chosen from a pool of 20 candidates from all over the world, the Italian company Hexagro Urban Farming will spend six months working alongside researchers from Salazzurra, the R&D hub of Gruppo CAP, a Milan-based water utility provider. Hexagro designed the Living Farming Tree project, a high-tech automated garden for the cultivation of medicinal and aromatic plants via the IoT interactive experience. The system is low-cost and extremely productive, saves up to 90% of water and 70% of fertiliser use, and achieves growth at up to three times the speed thanks to the high-pressure aeroponics method. Aeroponic towers, a cultivation method that doesn’t require soil or in-earth growth, can help traditional agriculture to be sustained in the face of enormous challenges related to climate change. Gruppo CAP’s #waterrevolution Innovate H2O programme was created to support the most promising ideas and the most innovative inputs tied to circular innovation in the integrated water system.

Within the context of the Common Agricultural Policy, in the future the European Commission will not approve a member state’s strategic plan if it does not include the promotion of the bioeconomy in agriculture. These are the words of Phil Hogan, European Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, who confirmed that the decision will be upheld by the next legislature. “The bioeconomy

Transparent Wood Researchers from the KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm have developed a way to make wood transparent while maintaining its resistance and insulation properties. This was achieved by chemically removing lignin, a key component in the cell walls of wood. “When the lignin is removed, the wood becomes beautifully white. But because wood is not naturally transparent, we achieve this effect with some nanoscale tailoring,” explains Lars Berglund, Professor at the KTH’s Wallenberg Wood Science

is a very important subject that requires EU-wide action and it is now stated explicitly as part of the nine EU objectives of the reformed CAP,” Hogan declared in a statement. Through the strategic national plans established in the proposed CAP, all member states will have to set out how they intend to reach the nine objectives, including the promotion of the bioeconomy.

Centre. Having removed the lignin, the porous white substrate is impregnated with a transparent polymer – polyethylene glycol – that combines the two materials’ optical properties.

American Dream Circularity 19, organised by GreenBiz, will take place in Minneapolis on June 18-20 with the goal of promoting circular economy in the USA. The mega-event will bring together more than 500 thinkers, leaders and practitioners to define and accelerate the transition to a circular economy. An exhibition focused on circular solutions will be running parallel to the event. Furthermore, on the 15th and 16th of August the fifth edition of the Annual Sustainability and Circular Economy Summit will take place in Washington D.C. This year the Summit, which attracts key players in the sector, will be dedicated to the implementation of circular solutions in the world of American corporations. Renewable Matter is a partner of these events and will publish articles and reports from both.

News

Noah, Developed by Eindhoven University, is considered to be the first (partially) biodegradable car. About the size of a small city car, Noah is composed of biobased panels: specifically, the chassis is a biocomposite with a honeycomb structure made of linen and sugar, whereas

its structural elements are made up of linen fibres. The vehicle is a two-seater, 2 metres long and 1.7 metres wide. Noah weighs in at just 360kg (without batteries), and is fully electric. The prototype, the inventors explain, serves mainly to increase awareness on the immense potential in the automotive sector to reduce emissions and environmental impacts.

Eni-Pertamina Agreement

Plastics in the Gallows

Italian oil company Eni and Indonesian state energy company PT Pertamina signed a Memorandum of Understanding, agreeing to cooperate on circular economy projects, the creation of products with low carbon emissions and the development of renewable energy. The MoU includes opportunities for collaboration in the development of technologies for waste-upgrading, as well as CO2 biofixation and reuse for sustainable mobility, making use of Eni’s proprietary technologies. The agreement also outlines possibilities in terms of developing wasteto-energy and waste-tohydrogen systems, producing biogas through anaerobic digestion of waste from sewage treatment plants, as well as using biomasses to generate advanced biofuels and chemical products. Eni and Pertamina also signed an agreement for a joint venture so as to build a biorefinery in Indonesia.

The New Plastics Economy report, published by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation in collaboration with UN Environment, outlines a series of strategies for banning plastic, particularly in the context of large global corporations. The report – which can be downloaded from newplasticseconomy. org – contains detailed

Blockchain for Climate Negotiations Can blockchain help implement the Paris Accord, particularly Article 6 on the reduction of emissions? The Blockchain for Climate Foundation believes it can. This Canadian non-profit is working on an Ethereum system to optimise emission-reporting mechanisms and facilitate the exchange of carbon quotas among those who reduce emissions and those who are forced to compensate by acquiring carbon credits from other nations. “The correct accounting of emission reductions and transfers of emission quotas is essential”, explains Joseph Pallant, Executive Director of Blockchain for Climate. “The Ethereum-based blockchain would serve to create an open source system – transparent, effective and

information on plastic usage by brands such as Carrefour, Colgate, Palmolive, Mars Incorporated, Nestlé, SC Johnson, The Coca-Cola Company and Unilever, and how these companies plan to replace single-use plastics. On average, the companies that were surveyed will increase their use of recycled

accessible to everyone – that will make exchanges more transparent.” The system was tested in April and the results were presented to various stakeholders, including the World Bank, several national governments and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

plastics by 25% before 2025, compared to the current 2% global average. Forty brands and retailers are piloting or expanding systems for reuse and repurposing. In the end, everyone agrees: the production and consumption of single-use plastics – such as cups and cutlery – must cease completely.

Stefan Schweihofer/Pixabay

Organic Car

renewablematter 27. 2019

Circular Economy

3.0

Solving confusion around new conceptions of circularity by synthesising and re-organising the 3R’s concept into a 10R hierarchy. by Walter J.V. Vermeulen, Denise Reike and Sjors Witjes

International Sustainable Development Research Society, http://isdrs.org Copernicus Institute for Sustainable Development, www.uu.nl/ en/research/copernicusinstitute-of-sustainabledevelopment

In recent years the concept of Circular Economy has received growing attention, both in the worlds of science and of policy making. Some scholars and practitioners present it as a novelty, but we have to acknowledge that it builds on the legacy of predecessors, like waste recycling and separation, industrial ecology, eco-industrial parks and industrial symbiosis. Various concepts go back to the 1980’s, such as the concepts of waste hierarchies (3R’s, 4R’s etc.) and cascading. The 3R’s concept has become commonplace in many national waste regulations all over the world. At best, we can frame the renewed attention as Circular Economy 3.0. By doing so, questions arise

MINING

MATERIAL PRODUCTION

Professor Walter Vermeulen is Past President of the International Sustainable Development Research Society and Associate Professor at the Utrecht University Copernicus Institute for Sustainable Development. Denise Reike is Junior Assistant Professor, Lecturer and Researcher at the Copernicus University Institute of Sustainable Development. Sjors Witjes is Assistant Professor at the Institute for Management Research, Radboud University.

R0 --> R9: Hierarchy of CE value retention options (RO’s) for consumers and businesses R0 = Refuse C = Consumer R1 = Reduce B = Business R2 = Resell, Reuse R3 = Repair R4 = Refurbish R5 = Remanufacture R6 = Re-purpose R7 = Recycle materials R8 = Recover energy R9 = Re-mine

Think Tank Figure 1 | Mapping circular economy retention options: the product produce and use life cycle Source: Reike et al. 2018.

Initial selling of product Initial waste streams

(Low) value life time extension in LDCs

Recirculating of product Secondary selling of product Selling of derivative products

R9 Land fill mining

Leakage to LDCs

R8 Energy supply

(Distilled water supply)

Incinerating

Cannibalisation

END PRODUCT MANUFACTURING /BRAND

COMPONENT PRODUCTION

RETAILING

CONSUMER

COLLECTION

LAND FILLING

R2/3

C C

C B

R5 Third party repurposing

Third party remanufacturing

R7 Third party refurbishing

second life retailing

Repairing

Acquiring checking separating selling

Shredding Distracting Reprocessing

renewablematter 27. 2019 Table 1 | Most commonly used descriptions of value retention options and words that are better avoided Source: Reike et al. 2018. 2 distinct product life cycles:

LIFE CYCLE 1: Product Produce and Use

Value retention options

CONSUMERS

LIFE CYCLE 2: Product Concept and Design

PRODUCERS/RETAILERS

DESIGNERS

Unspecified general word use (to be further avoided)

R0 – R9:

Refuse:

Reduce:

SHORT LOOPS: R0-3

Resell/ Reuse:

Repair:

MEDIUM LONG LOOPS: R4-6

Refurbish:

Remanufacture:

Repurpose:

Recycle Materials: LONG LOOPS R7-9

Recover (energy):

Re-mine

(R9)

choice to buy less, or use less; reject packaging waste and shopping bags

using purchased products less frequently; use them with more care and longer

buying second hand, or finding a buyer for a product that was not or hardly in use, possibly after some cleaning or minor adaptations restoration; use online consumerto-consumer auctions for used products

n.a.

refuse the use of specific hazardous materials or any virgin material; design production processes to avoid waste

n.a.

as explicit steps in product design: using less material per unit of production; or “dematerialization”

“direct re-use” as economic activity via collectors and retailers, possibly with quality inspections, cleaning and small repairs; (commercial and non-commercial); “direct re-use” of unsold returns or products with damaged packaging; multiple re-uses of (transport) packaging

by the consumer in their vicinity, or at their location, or through a repair company; or at a “repair café”

send recollected products to their own repair centers, to manufacturer-controlled, or to third party repair centers; distinguish “planned repair” as part of a longer lasting maintenance plan from “ad-hoc” repairs

n.a.

overall structure of large multi-component product remains intact, while many components are replaced or repaired, resulting in an overall “upgrade” of quality of product Examples: buildings, airplanes, trains, mining shovels

n.a.

full structure of a multi-component product is disassembled, checked, cleaned and when necessary replaced or repaired in an industrial process, recycled parts may be used expected retained quality more tempered: “up to original state, like new”

“eliminating waste, not dispose anymore” “as for all user steps”

“re-use in fabrication” apply recycled materials

enable easy repairing

confused with “refurbishment”

some also refer to this as “reconditioning”, “reprocessing” or “restoration”: better avoid reusing discarded goods or components adapted for another function:

some use: “rethink” or “fashion upgrading”: better avoid

give back as separate waste streams

processing of mixed streams of postconsumer products or post-producer waste streams using expensive technological equipment, including shredding, melting and other processes to capture (nearly) pure materials

apply recycled materials

“recycle” is frequently and confusingly used to cover all alternatives: better avoid

n.a.

capturing energy embodied in waste, linking it to incineration in combination with producing energy, distilled water or use of biomass

n.a.

retrieval of materials after the landfilling phase “cannibalization”; hi-tech landfill mining or urban mining

apply recycled materials

n.a.

“recover” often used as equivalent for general recycling: better avoid

Think Tank “refuse” from the consumer perspective, and ending up with R9, the re-mining from old land-fills).

Table 1 Provides the main lessons from this analysis, which we suggest using as a guide for the future. In doing so, we need to distinguish between two types of product life cycles: we need to distinguish between the product life cycles of “Produce and Use” and of “Concept and Design.” Not doing so leads to part of the confusion as they refer to different actors and options. In Figure 1 we show the synthesis as the comprehensive Product Produce and Use Life Cycle (the second product life cycle is shown in Reike et al. 2018).

Reike, D., Vermeulen, W.J.V. & Witjes, S., 2018. The circular economy: New or Refurbished as CE 3.0? – Exploring Controversies in the Conceptualization of the Circular Economy through a Focus on History and Resource Value Retention Options. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 135, pp.246–264. Available in open access at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j. resconrec.2017.08.027

1. In alphabetical order these are: reassembly, re-capture, reconditioning, recollect, recover, recreate, rectify, recycle, redesign, redistribute, reduce, re-envision, refit, refurbish, refuse, remarket, re-manufacture, renovate, repair, replacement, reprocess, reproduce, repurpose, resale, resell, re-service, restoration, resynthesise, rethink, retrieve, retrofit, retrograde, return, reuse, reutilise, revenue, reverse and revitalise.

This is a re-print of an earlier online contribution to the CEC4Europe Factbook at www.cec4europe.eu/ publications

Kirchherr, J., Reike, D. & Hekkert, M., 2017. Conceptualizing the circular economy: An analysis of 114 definitions. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 127, pp.221–232. Available at: http://linkinghub. elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/ S0921344917302835

concerning what it takes from versions 1.0 and 2.0 and what is new. The “action imperatives” suggested by scientists may be the most important element: what should producers actually do to achieve the greatest impact. These have traditionally been expressed as the various R’s, complemented with expressions of preference and priority. A remarkable finding emerging from extensive literature review from various disciplinary backgrounds (including environmental sciences, engineering, logistics, policy studies and more), is that in the literature there is a messy cacophony around the 3 or more R’s as value retention imperatives (we would prefer not to use the word “recycling” anymore as an overarching concept, as can be seen in the article). In explaining what to do, these authors present a range from 3Rs to 10R’s, with the 5R’s version being the most frequently suggested. In a similar analysis of 114 definitions we also illustrated the confusion around the conceptualisation of circular economy (Kirchherr et al. 2017). We also see the same confusion in policy documents: both the EU and the UN suggest a 3R’s approach, but the R’s have different meanings. This links to a more serious issue in the scientific literature on circular economy: when using a 3R’s to 10R’s waste hierarchy, scientists are messing up still further because they use 38 different “re”-words in these hierarchies1, even the one’s using 3R’s or 4R’s do not refer to the same R’s. It is therefore necessary to clean up this conceptual confusion as much as possible. Synthesising the many contributions, we present a final 10R’s hierarchy (starting with the R0, being

With this, we present an integrated version of value retention options mapping, including some of the loops that are often ignored (like the substantial leakages to less developed countries – LDCs) and highlight the role of new economic actors in the repairing, refurnishing and remarketing of products. The figure allows balanced attention to be given to (in many places already well-organised) longervalue retention loops, middle long loops (where we now see many new business models initiated) and short loops (with a key role for consumers and non-commercial activities). This analysis stresses the distinction between short loops, middle-long loops and long loops. The first four short loops (R0-3) exist close to the consumer, and can be linked to commercial or non- commercial actors engaged in extending the life span of the product. Scholars applying a clear hierarchy characterise these as the most preferable R’s in the circular economy. In our historic overview in the article, we argue that the varying emphasis on the R0 and R1 in the literature may be evidence of a paradigmatic division with respect to the issue of the perceived necessity of absolute reduction of inputs and consumption, and may hence also be related to the different motives of different groups in promoting circular economy. This may conflict with a current popular focus on business opportunities in the circular economy. The second group of three medium-long loops (R4-6) includes refurbish, remanufacture and repurpose, often confused with each other and some other concepts. For these loops commercial business activity is the main driving force, with frequently specialised 3rd actors with high levels of expertise as stakeholders. The third group of three long loops (R7-9) refer to traditional waste management activities, including recycling, different forms of energy recovery and, more recently, re-mining. Many scholars applying clear hierarchies with their R’s agree that these options are the least desirable. Still, materials or particles obtained through longer loop recycling can serve as input for shorter loop R’s (see “remanufacture”). This is also the area where government policies in the circular economy 1.0 and 2.0 have been focusing on. Here a key challenge is how higher-value application of recycled materials can be achieved, especially in the countries where mass recycling is already well organised (mostly in North-west and central Europe).

Avoid Collapse: Designing an Equitable Circular System That Preserves Humanity by Alexandre Lemille

We are currently bypassing the carrying capacity of Earth due to resource mismanagement.

Alexandre Lemille, Founder of Wizeimpact: a company that leverages business-as-a-powerful tool with which to find solutions to our ecological and systemic challenges. He has developed a socially inclusive version of the Circular Economy, earning plaudits by the WEF for his leadership and also being recognised by Change Hackers in 2018. wizeimpact.com

We have the opportunity to change the course of our shared history with the amount of information we have gathered so far. By learning from scientists and experts we can propose new governance and collaboratively implement net-positive actions to adapt more quickly. Knowing the specific origins of a potential collapse is our best way to avoid it. Humans as Predators, Nature as Prey Since its publication in 1972 â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Limits to Growthâ&#x20AC;? has been one of the benchmarks for modelling the exponential economic and demographic growth of a finite planet.

The 30-years update has once again confirmed that 1972 forecasts were not only accurate, but actually underestimated the reality. A more recent projection model with a broader spectrum of scenarios has also been published recently: the Human And Nature Dynamics (HANDY) model (Motesharrei, Rivas, Kalnay, 2014). This model of human dynamics is based on the predator-prey approach where we are the predators, and the prey is Nature (exhausted by humans). The predator-prey approach comes from the animal kingdom when the predator population exceeds the carrying capacity (maximum size of the population of a species that the environment can sustain indefinitely).

Think Tank “Keeping our stocks of high quality materials is essential for our survival.”

Pexels/Pixabay

Safa Motesharreia, Jorge Rivasb, Eugenia Kalnayc, “Human and nature dynamics (HANDY): Modeling inequality and use of resources in the collapse or sustainability of societies”, Ecological Economics v. 101, May 2014, p. 90-102; https:// doi.org/10.1016/j. ecolecon.2014.02.014

World inequality database, www.wid.world

This leads to starvation or the migration of predators until the prey population recovers. This model may well be related to our human world, except that we humans are able to accumulate large surplus stocks (described below as “wealth”). Stocks which we can draw on when production no longer covers our consumption needs. For example, we are currently bypassing the carrying capacity of the Earth (we consume 80 billion tonnes of materials from the Earth while it can only afford 50 billion), as our population continues to grow exponentially. Economic Stratification and Wealth Accumulation HANDY differs from previous models in its greater variety of scenarios (scenario 1: Egalitarian Societies, scenario 2: Equitable Societies and scenario 3: Unequal Societies) and by adding key indicators such as: •• economic stratification, “Elites” (rich population) and “Commoners” (poor population) and their corresponding consumption patterns; •• the accumulation of wealth (what we just described as our ability to create surplus stocks). Understanding the impact of these two components – which have had negative repercussions in earlier civilizations such as the ancient Maya – is essential to

understanding how we should maneuver today between inventory management, consumption patterns and, more importantly, ethical and fair access to stocks. In the projections for egalitarian societies, the balance can be reached slowly when the Commoners do not exceed the carrying capacity of the Earth. Living well at equilibrium shows similar result in equitable societies where growth is slow and salaries equitable. But, when the depletion of resources exceeds a certain limit, nature collapses completely in the three possible scenarios: egalitarian, equitable and unequal societies. Consuming beyond carrying capacity leads to the depletion of Nature, as in the case of Easter Island. This is called the Type-N collapse (exhaustion of Nature). Here, the research highlights that we have not yet reached this point. The Disappearance of Commoners The set-up that comes closest to our global situation is not the collapse of nature. We all know now that the Earth will continue its path of recovering from all forms of longterm exhaustion, outside of any human-related time horizon. The risk we face today is the disappearance of labour represented here by Commoners. This is called the Type-L Collapse (scarcity of labour). In unequal societies (for more information, please refer to the “Elephant graph of inequality”, www.wid.world), the strengthening

Figure 1 | A typical predator-prey model: the interdependencies of wolf and rabbit populations Source: HANDY, 2014.

POPOLATION 400 wolves 2,000 rabbits Predator (wolves)

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renewablematter 27. 2019 “A fair and equitable access to stocks is far more vital than its circular management.”

economic stratification between Commoners and Elites in Figure 2); • reducing the growth rates of the population. However, what comes as a matter of course is that Elites who benefit from surpluses and control access of the stock cannot be decision-makers at the same time. It would seem that “historical collapses were allowed to occur by Elites who appear to be oblivious to the catastrophic trajectory” (HANDY, 2014), a situation that is applicable to the Roman Empire and the ancient Maya civilizations. Worse still, Elites also collapse due to the disappearance of Commoners. It is now clear that we need a different type of governance than the current one. Those with access to surpluses are not the ones best placed to lead our common future. Governance for the future of human civilization should rather be led by a group facing a higher risk of extinction. We should therefore be much more inspired by what the ancestral tribes tell us about their survival techniques in a hostile environment, rather than plundering their know-how and resources for commercial gains. Following their precepts should be an obligation in our future governance.

of the economic stratification between classes of society is “recurrently found in past collapse societies” according to the researchers. They add that “the solution (here shown in the Figure 2) appears to be on a sustainable path for quite a long time, but even using an optimal depletion rate and starting with a very small number of Elites, the Elites eventually cause the collapse of society.” In summary, the risk we face is more (current) mismanagement of resources due to inequitable consumption and limited access, in addition to climate change adaptation and mitigation. Elites Are Not in a Visionary Position

“Resource mismanagement together with inequitable access should be addressed as a matter of urgency.”

In the research it is clearly established that “Elites – due to their wealth (i.e. access and control over surpluses) – do not suffer the detrimental effects of the environmental collapse until much later than the Commoners” (HANDY, 2014). They add that “this buffer of wealth allows Elites to continue ‘business as usual’ despite the impeding catastrophe.” As in all societal organisations, we ask leaders to be visionary in order to give people access to a more prosperous future. It is possible to achieve an equilibrium that would prevent such collapse since we have enough data to drive the world’s population towards such a pathway: • considerably reduce inequalities (here translated by the widening of the

Equitable Circular Economies Focusing on the Prosperity of Society With such a model of human dynamics, we have our fate in our hands because a Type-L

Figure 2 | Our current context – Unequal society: type-L collapse (scarcity of labour) Source: HANDY, 2014.

“Population collapse following an apparent equilibrium (at carrying capacity) due to a small initial Elite population” while they grow exponentially. Nature recovers, population does not 6x 1y 4y

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Think Tank Figure 3 | In this equitable-circular model, not only waste and pollution disappear, but poverty and inequality as well Spurce: Lemille, 2018.

THE CIRCULAR HUMANSPHERE LUT

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ADDRESS HUMAN NEEDS using Material Circularity DESIGN WASTE + INEQUALITY OUT applying Circular Thinking AVOID CONSUMPTION REBOUND promoting Collective Decentration

Circular Economy 2.0, www.AlexandreLemille.com

“Elites will collapse regardless of the amount of wealth accumulated or guarded.”

collapse is preventable. However, it is clear that we must take drastic decisions in the way we govern our societies and in the evolution of policies. The circular economy is an excellent solution to resource mismanagement: we manage resource stocks and renewable energy flows in a virtuous approach. The circular economy mimics Nature in as much as unused resources constitute food for another cycle. However, citizens and communities need more than a better way to manage resources as tomorrow’s business model. They need the assurance that we emerge from an unequal linear world by entering a prosperous and equitable one, aligned with the regeneration of our natural ecosystem that we depend on for life. In a circular context of resource conservation, caring for people will also be “good news” for business prosperity as business models will be based on the rules of system regeneration and enhanced collaboration. A results-based economy becomes extremely versatile to meet all social needs, provided results also integrate them into their search for total performance. Since you will be rewarded if you have met the needs of the people in your communities and markets, the more your business will ensure all needs are treated with kindness, the better. Taking care of people and resources is possible when your product disappears behind the offer of a holistic caring experience

(caring for stock and for people). In addition, such a results-based economy should provide Commoners with restorative jobs and regenerative activities that implement collaborative strategies. Lastly, an equitable-circular model should also be governed by diverse communities that understand how to make decisions today that will protect future generations. This decision making process, which has always existed, is called “decentration” or the ability to decide whether unborn generations will agree with any given decision or not (shown in Figure 3 as the third priority to focus on). Decentration has helped minorities survive in unpromising contexts, as in the case of the Iroquois tribes among others. This should be taught to us all, starting with the Elites. Reaching an equilibrium with Earth’s carrying capacity is the only decision we are indebted to take today.

The Europe to Come

The circular economy has been a pillar of the outgoing Commission. But the European Circular Economy Stakeholder Platform is still ongoing. For the EU, it can still represent a competitive advantage both for economic security and decarbonisation policies.

by Emanuele Bompan, from Brussels

It is a fact. The circular economy has been a pillar of the outgoing EU Commission and Parliament. “The political power of this idea is obvious,” explains Frans Timmermans – Vice-President of the EU Commission, in the Schuman building’s packed room in Brussels in front of an audience of politicians and businessmen gathered for the EU Stakeholder Platform Conference, the annual event organised by the Commission and the European Economic and Social Committee. “We truly achieved important results. The sense of urgency of such transformation is tangible in Europe. We witness it in young people in the streets looking for solutions to the climate crisis. And the circular economy is one such solution […] that can create many jobs and billions of

euros in added value. It is also necessary for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).” The Platform, an increasingly important European Commission apparatus, is focusing on the evaluation of the Circular Action Plan’s results and a definition of open challenges to pave the way for a competitive and climate-neutral circular economy, where pressure on natural and water resources as well as on ecosystems is reduced to a minimum. “Three years on from its adoption, the Circular Economy Action Plan can be regarded as complete,” states Daniel Calleja Crespo, EC Director General for the Environment. “Its 54 actions have been handed over or

Policy

rottonara/Pixabay

List of participants at the 2019 Circular Economy Stakeholder Conference, https://circulareconomy. europa.eu/platform/ sites/default/files/ ce_stakeholder_ conference_2019_list_of_ participants.pdf

Report from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and The Committee of the Regions, 4th March 2019; http://ec.europa.eu/ environment/circulareconomy/pdf/report_ implementation_circular_ economy_action_plan.pdf

implemented, as stated in the latest available report” (published on 4th March 2019, author’s note). According to the report results, the Circular Economy Action Plan’s implementation has indeed sped up the transition towards a circular economy. In 2016, the circular economy’s most significant sectors employed over 4 million people, up 6% compared to 2012. The circular economy has also opened up new business opportunities while creating new business models and developing new markets, at national level and outside the EU. In 2016, circular activities such as repairing, reusing and recycling generated an added value of almost €147 billion, with an investment of about €17.5 billion. In Europe, between 2008 and 2016, urban waste recycling increased and the contribution of recycled materials to the overall demand for materials is constantly improving. Nevertheless, on average, recycled materials only meet less that 12% of European demand. This is echoed by a recent report by a stakeholder (Circle Economy) suggesting that full circularity could only be applied to 9% of the world’s economy, leaving plenty of room for improvement. “A long road and a tough challenge that could give Europe an important competitive edge,” adds Timmermans. Jyrki Katainen, Vice-President for Jobs,

Growth, Investment and Competitiveness, declared: “This report is very encouraging. It shows that Europe is on the right track to creating investment, jobs and new businesses.” It deals with multiple issues, from food to fertilizers, from communication to the role of cities. As expected, there are heated debates on plastics, the focal issue of industry and legislators. For the critics of the directive on plastic, thousands of jobs are at risk. But for many delegates it is crucial to act now to stop microplastic contamination and support the innovation in biomaterials and recycled materials. According to Joss Blériot, executive officer of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, the challenge is still “creating a circular economy worthy of its name. Obviously, it will take time for this idea to become paramount. To a certain extent, we could argue that the debate on the circular economy was generated by traditional actors dealing with waste management so it is normal that for the time being it is still tackled in this way. But I think that if we could concentrate on the innovation potential of new materials, new business models, focussing on specific sectors and areas, we could accelerate this transition.” Debates also carried on outside the European Commission and EESC halls. In one of the many evening events, the role of the next commission was debated. According to Simona Bonafé, Italian Democratic Party MEP, we must continue the bipartisan work carried out so far. “Hoping that sovereigntists do not get in the way with their not-so-green ideas.” For other interviewees, crucial topics of the next legislature will be eco-design and circularity measurability in businesses, starting from widespread use of LCA. The Commission tasked European regulatory bodies with developing horizontal criteria to measure durability, reusability, repairability, recyclability and the presence of critical raw materials. These criteria must be applied to existing standards (such as EU Ecolabel) and new ones across the whole Union. Moreover, the plastic circle must be closed and the circular economy package must be strengthened. “We will also have to cooperate with countries outside the EU. Today we have many commercial missions where, together with European companies, we assess the circular economy potential and create investment and cooperation opportunities,” adds Daniel Calleja Crespo. “We cannot work alone. It is crucial to have partners in Africa and Latin America.” The European challenge is still ongoing. The hope is that the next Parliament and Commission can be even braver and take onboard the need for accelerating regeneration processes in our economy. And, that the EESC can continue the excellent coordination and consultation work carried out so far.

renewablematter 27. 2019

The Real Value of Food Interview with Peter Schmidt by Francesco Bassetti

The food system can have a huge impact in the fight against climate change. However, this will require comprehensive food policy and creating a circular economy for food. Peter Schmidt has been a member of the European Economic and Social Committee sinceÂ 30/07/2014. He is Head of International and European affairs of the Food, Beverages and Catering Union (NGG); President of the Sustainable Development Observatory; and Vice-President of the Workersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Group II. He is particularly interested in food safety and the environment.

As a EESC member, Peter Schmidt, has a first-hand view of how food can take on a leading role in reaching sustainability objectives and how it is affected by regulation, policies and the practices of multinational corporations. In fact, the current food system has created a distorted value of food that allows big

business to make huge profits at the expense of European farmers that rely on 60 billion euros per year in subsidies paid by EU taxpayers. A comprehensive food policy, that regulates the food system according to circular economy principles and educates consumers as to the real value of food, will be instrumental

Policy Outlines: Old Design Shop

is directly linked to an overarching policy, namely a comprehensive food policy. It is a part of that. For instance, when you look at the reflection paper ‘Towards a Sustainable Europe’ which came out on the 13th of January, for the first time ever the commission talks about a comprehensive food policy. Therefore, in order to implement the Sustainable Development Goals, people in the commission have realised that we need and comprehensive policy, or at the very least a food policy which we do not have.”

in creating a more equitable and environmentally friendly approach to food production and consumption.

European Economic and Social Committee, www.eesc.europa.eu

How important will it be for Europe to focus on a circular economy strategy for food? “It is crucial for the implementation of the Agenda 2030 as food is related to at least 12 Sustainable Development Goals. If we do not reach a comprehensive approach in relation to food production and food consumption I believe we will fail the Agenda 2030 targets. Europe must become a forerunner in this process. As we just recently heard from Vice-President Timmermans, the whole world is keeping an eye on Europe and not only because of the European elections but also in terms of what will be done in the fight against climate change and how it will develop its social model. Therefore, a circular economy strategy is key.” Europe currently lacks a general food policy. Is there a need for one? “We are starting to develop one now. As a representative of the European Economic and Social Committee, we have called for comprehensive food policy that isn’t completely encompassed in the Common Agricultural Policy. Although the two are linked, in Brussels, policymakers are very focused on the Common Agricultural Policy. This is understandable because it involves around 60 billion euros distributed throughout Europe to mitigate the situation currently affecting farmers. However, politicians, institutions and organisations are now realising that agricultural policy

Will this involve implementing a circular economy for food? “Yes, of course. Otherwise you cannot think in terms of a comprehensive approach. At all levels of production we must organise circles. Starting in the farm, passing through processing and ending at transport and retail: all must think circularly. For example a dairy factory which produces 300,000 litres of milk daily has a grey water discharge that is comparable to a city of 60/70 thousand inhabitants. Bringing all this together will lead to a shortening of the supply chain. Over the last decades we have developed an increasingly global supply chain which must be shortened. This is the logic now. If we don’t do this then we cannot become circular. The food system can have a huge impact in the fight against climate change and it also has the potential to bring local jobs, which in the future have to be better paid and grant better working conditions.” Currently, the European Union is giving billions of euros to farmers in subsidies. Is there any space for specialised food production to help stabilise their financial situation? “Yes, there is evidence that the more farmers grow organic produce the higher the returns on their investments. However, there is also a shift in the thinking of consumers. When you look at the last 5 or 10 years the development is huge: 10/15 years ago organic products were in a niche and now they are increasingly coming out of this niche. Organic production follows circular thinking quite logically, but we have to see what the political decisions behind this process are, whereby only niche organic products get the right amount of value for their produce.” Do you think there is an imbalance in the power structures that dictate food production and pricing? “Well in terms of those 60 billion euros in subsidies given to farmers, it reveals a ridiculous process that we are participating in. This isn’t an attack on farmers; farmers need this financial aid as they are being squeezed by the large multinational corporations on the one side and the retail sector and the processing

renewablematter 27. 2019 sector on the other. The ridiculous situation is that nobody challenges the profit margins of the multinational corporations. They are making 20% percent profits (from what we know already) and want to make even larger gains. Yet at the same time we pay 60 billion euros to farmers so as to mitigate their situation. This is ridiculous. It means that the tax payers pay for the profits of multinational corporations. We must have a debate about this at a policy level. The taxpayer must challenge this system and hold decision makers accountable.”

Towards a sustainable Europe by 2030, https:// ec.europa.eu/commission/ publications/reflectionpaper-towards-sustainableeurope-2030_en

How can we improve on this situation? “One of the first steps the EESC took and the EC followed was to call for a fairer supply chain in the food sector. Unfair trading practices in the supply chain must be stopped. So, we created a list and the Commission now acts upon this list. This includes regulation in the food supply chain, which although insufficient is the first step towards regulating the market and moving away from our current obsession with a non-regulated/free market approach. The commission has realised that we need regulation to obtain fairness in the supply chain and hence fairer prices for farmers.” What about waste? The farming sector generates lots of waste and by-products. However these have not been made profitable in a systemic way. Is using farming waste and by-products something that could help create extra revenue for farmers? “I don’t see the complete logic in this. Most importantly, the majority of waste is not produced by farmers. The majority of waste occurs on the side of consumers rather than in the production and processing sectors which are well organised. Although we must distinguish what kind of waste we are talking about, we can say that overall it is estimated that around 30% of total food production is wasted. I believe it is illogical to say let’s create innovative products coming out of food waste. The first logical step would be to reduce total food production. At the same time, we have to bear in mind that we will have a global population of around 9/10 billion people in the coming years. So, the question is how do we produce food in a comprehensive and circular way and therefore also tackle climate change. If we simply use this waste to create and organise other materials then nothing has been done to fight climate change; we are simply using more soil and further destroying our environment. In fact, in order to protect the environment we must produce less per hectare. That’s the logic. To have a comprehensive approach would lead exactly to this conclusion rather than to find ways for farmers to get more money. What we really need is for farmers to

get adequate compensation for what they are producing.” Do you think the way we value food products can contribute to the creation of a circular food system? “Compare the price of a litre of milk with a litre of coke. In many cases coke is much more expensive than the milk we buy in supermarkets. We can all imagine how difficult it is to produce milk compared to coke: coming from the farm and selling it at the end of the day in the supermarket is no easy feat. At the end of the day, there is a mismatch in pricing. And the second thing is that all these external costs are not included in the price, but are simply paid for by the farmers. This is why we have to find a way to communicate what is clear to us at the EESC: food is too cheap and the value of food is not well considered. The value of food cannot be compared to that of a car tyre or a smartphone because it is an ongoing process. In Germany we have a good expression for this, we say ‘Lebensmittel,’ which means ‘life supplies.’ Nobody can live without nutrition and a diet which is why we must make people conscious of the value of food in order to create a comprehensive food policy which is an essential part of the process.” Water is another big factor. Food and water waste are directly related. What can be done to make water usage more circular? “Well this is not just an issue on the agricultural side, it is also an issue in urban areas. We have lost the ability to think in the long term when building infrastructure. Policy in the last decades has led to the situation whereby municipalities have stopped investing in their infrastructure and a key part of the infrastructure is the water system. We need infrastructure which is solid and lasts for a long time. We have foregone long-term planning and we have a lot of water loss because of this. And this brings me back to the issue of circularity. We must think circularly in all possible areas, which requires huge investment and regulation, as well as bold decisions from politicians. This also implies talking about the distribution of wealth in our society: we must have a societal debate about how we distribute the wealth we produce, especially as we are living in the richest society ever.”

Policy

Circular Economy Stakeholder Conference by Ilaria Nicoletta Brambilla

www.eesc.europa.eu/en/news-media

Ilaria N. Brambilla is a geographer and environmental communicator. She collaborates with research institutes and communication agencies, as well as Italian and foreign newspapers on sustainability issues.

Environmental Communication Should be More Emotive A member of the EU Social and Economic Committee, the board of directors of the Agence Française de Normalisation and of the Institut des Futurs souhaitables, Thierry Libaert has also been a professor of Organisational Communication at the Université catholique de Louvain. He is concerned with issues tied to sustainable consumption, planned obsolescence and the economy of functionality.

Thierry Libaert, member of the EU Social and Economic Committee

As an expert in environmental communication, what do you think of the level of communication in Europe in terms of sustainable development and circular economy? What do you think is the best strategy to adopt? “I believe that the global communication

strategies of the EU and many other national institutions on themes of social responsibility, sustainability and global warming suffer from being too ‘top-down,’ perhaps a bit unilateral and often moralising. If we look at the most positive ways in which people receive messages, there are several things that don’t add up. Firstly, the sender circulates a message in a unilateral manner, with no interaction and often using a single instrument, like advertising or information pamphlets. I’ll give you an example: a theme I have worked on has been how to get people to separate their waste. We have verified that results are obtained by combining informative tools and the

renewablematter 27. 2019

Circular Economy Stakeholder Conference, https://circulareconomy. europa.eu/platform/en

When messages are sent out to raise awareness about environmental issues, the same thing happens that occurs with road safety information: most people believe themselves to be good drivers, therefore the message is ignored because people believe it is not aimed at them.

human element, which means interaction with experts who, in person, explain good behaviours. The 90% of communication that is limited to distributing informative materials doesn’t work very well. Secondly, speaking of the environment, when we ask European citizens how they consider themselves in terms of environmental behaviour, we discover that 95% of them believe themselves to be ‘good eco-citizens.’ Hence, when messages are sent out to raise awareness about environmental issues, the same thing happens that occurs with road safety information: most people believe themselves to be good drivers, therefore the message is ignored because people believe it is not aimed at them. The system, therefore, should include a higher level of personalisation in its messages. Thirdly, communication regarding certain themes, like climate change, is very technical: ‘compliance with accords on 1,5 to 2 °C,’ ‘so many tonnes of carbon,’ etc. I think that communication should be much easier to visualise: no one has ever seen a tonne of carbon, so the message is hard to understand. Furthermore, there should be more of a focus on emotional appeals, and on what climate change will lead to if we keep going the way we’re headed.” Does more effective communication translate to better buying habits on the part of the consumers? “The European Social and Economic Committee, of which I am a member, launched a large research project in 2016, involving 3,000 people in Spain, Czechia, France, Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands in a participative experiment, where people were put in the position of having to purchase certain products. We built a fake e-commerce site and we asked them to use it to make some purchases, and we tried to write a product’s estimated lifespan in the description. We realised that consumers did look at this information – negating what many people say about there being too much information on labels already – and, furthermore, that they were able to choose in a thoughtful manner, not just based on lower prices but often choosing to pay more for a product if it would last for a longer period of time. It’s a virtuous cycle, where consumers benefit from longer lasting products, companies have an interest in manufacturing objects that have a higher cost and the consequences for the

environment are less use of natural resources, and less waste.” Do you believe that companies are really moving things up a gear? “I think they are, and that they understand that it’s a profitable model, even in terms of reputation. From tyre manufacturers working hard to extend their products’ life cycle, to large manufacturers of electrical appliances who ensure ten-year reparability for their products, it’s a case of standing out in the field to attract consumers and help the environment, and not in terms of ‘greenwashing.’ Furthermore, the service economy – which is part of the circular paradigm – has a real interest in making its products last as long as possible.” And all of this also has a social impact. “Exactly. From the perspective of creating new jobs in the various phases of product manufacturing and repair, a study commissioned within the framework of the European Resolution of June 2017 has demonstrated that, if product durability and reparability parameters are taken into consideration, approximately 45,000 jobs would be created. Additionally, planned obsolescence has a greater impact on lowerincome portions of the population: those who have less money to spend buy less expensive products that don’t last as long. This means purchasing frequency increases, creating more debt. Increasing the lifespan of products and their reparability also leads to higher social equality.”

Policy

We Need a Better Culture of Circularity Paolo Falcioni has been the Director General of APPLiA since January 2014. He was one of the founders of the International Roundtable of Household Appliance Manufacturing Associations and is President of the Coalition for Energy Savings. Falcioni is also a member of the board of directors of Smart Energy Europe, and of the REFIT platform as a representative of the stakeholder group.

APPLiA, www.appliaitalia.it

Paolo Falcioni, Director General of APPLiA

2 billion euro, so companies have a real incentive even just on the economic level, thanks to the rapid development of the post-sale market. We are also in favour of repair even when it’s not managed directly by the companies – I’m thinking of ‘repair cafés’ – as long as the safety of the final consumer is guaranteed.”

APPLiA is the organisation that represents the European household appliance industry, a sector with a strong belief in re-adapting products and manufacturing processes to bring about full circularity for consumer products. Among the main members of the organisation are Arçelik, Whirlpool, Daikin, Panasonic, LG, Samsung, De Longhi, Electrolux, Miele, DHS, almost the totality of electrical appliance companies operating in Europe today. How is the household appliance sector positioned relative to the EU’s circular economy regulations? “I believe that the industry is even more advanced than the legislation. Today appliances are completely circular, because when they are reintroduced to the recycling market all of their components become secondary raw materials. Product management, if waste disposal is performed correctly, can therefore lead to complete circularity. What is missing is the ability to track all the appliances’ movements: we don’t know where approximately 2/3 of appliances end up, in terms of electrical and electronic waste. This is why a single European market for waste is highly desirable.” What is the contribution of your circular transition partners? How are they responding to the spectre of planned obsolescence? “Our partner companies believe in the circular paradigm and are extending the life cycle of appliances by committing to research and development of new products. Another important figure is the emphasis on reparability: on a global scale, our partners employ 32,000 repair people in the repair industry. In 2016, according to our report, of a total 150 million pieces manufactured by our partners, the percentage of repair requests that were fulfilled was 81%, thanks to design strategies that provide for the entire life cycle. The total revenue of the repair service industry in Europe today is approximately

APPLiA’s press release talks about #circularculture: what does this mean? “In order to enhance consumer awareness and push legislators to work towards better recovery standards, we coined the expression ‘circular culture’ and produced several videos demonstrating how everyone can contribute to increasing circularity in the economy and in consumption habits, because the industry alone does not have a universal reach. For example, in Europe today 20% of small domestic appliances are thrown out as general waste, and thus do not reach waste recovery operators that can restore value to the components. This is why we believe it is necessary to make everyone – companies, legislators and individual citizens – more aware and responsible, so that economic development can be more sustainable. Additionally, a more conscious use of appliances allows us to minimise waste: think of the fact that dishwashers can use 90% less water than washing dishes by hand. We have the moral duty to remember that in Europe we are privileged, and therefore should make more of an effort to understand that resources like water are precious, and liable to scarcity, whereas elsewhere the risks are more immediate.” Your European partners also operate outside of the confines of Europe: does their circular approach also extend to where legislation is less binding? “I recently attended the Science-Policy-Business Forum held by the United Nations in Nairobi, and I was able to demonstrate how in Europe we are shifting towards a circular industry. It is clear that our starting point is different to that of many other countries, whether they are larger or smaller consumers, but overall our experience places itself as a basis to rethink our attitudes to consumption and to our impact on the planet. The industry I represent has the intention of offering the most innovative and low-impact products anywhere in the world.”

renewablematter 27. 2019

A Reflection on the European

Circular Economy Stakeholder Platform by Cillian Lohan

Circular thinking provides one small but important tool to deliver a brighter, more equitable and prosperous future. Stakeholder engagement that is open to all is a part of this process.

Cillian Lohan, rapporteur of the EESC (European Economic and Social Committee) on the Circular Economy Package, CEO at Green Economy Foundation and Chairman of the Irish Environmental Network. He is an Environmental Scientist with a background in business, and currently focuses on Circular Economy, Climate Finance and transition to a low carbon economy.

There is an interesting conversation to be had on stakeholder engagement. It is now common in many processes that aspire to achieve a transformation of one kind or another to incorporate some aspect of engagement with those who will be impacted by the potential outcomes. It often involves a lot of multiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x201C; multi level, multi lateral, multi stakeholder â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and can become confusing and bureaucratic in its language. However at its heart is a sensible desire to bring on board all the relevant parties, so that decisions are made taking into account the many and varied interests. At a national level, it can take the form of social partnership: governments taking policy decisions after consulting with businesses, trade unions and other relevant organized groups, such as farmers, consumers or the environmental sector. At the global level, it forms an essential part of the United Nations processes, notably the inclusion of stakeholders in the COP (Conference of the Parties) process on addressing the climate crisis. Within the EU, the process of taking into account the many and varied interests is also commonly used. During the drafting of the Circular Economy Action Plan, all of the EU legislative institutions

recognised the need for a multi- stakeholder approach. After all, the ambitions set out to achieve a Circular Economy were great, and if fully realised would have a disruptive impact on many business-as-usual models, from design, through manufacturing and supply chains, to new ownership models. In the new spirit of breaking silos and of working in new partnerships, the European Commission (EC) and the Economic and Social Committee (EESC), as the home of Civil Society in the EU, established a joint Platform to enable this to happen. The first of its kind, it seemed appropriate and ideal to create the mould for stakeholder engagement in order to deliver on an ambition to reset a broken economic model. The European Circular Economy Stakeholder Platform was born in March 2017. So what makes it different, and what do we know about how it has functioned and grown in the last two years? The Secretariat for the Platform is managed by the EESC, and the Platform itself is open to everybody. The idea was to ensure that it did not become a Brussels-centric body of the same old faces, and the same old vested interests. Instead, the Platform would reach across all member states, and collect strong functioning examples of what was working,

Policy

European Circular Economy Stakeholder Platform, https://circulareconomy. europa.eu/platform/en

out there in the real world. Also, it would facilitate conversations and sharing of lessons learned between those active in the area, helping to connect the players. Equally, this would be a source for identifying what was needed from policy makers to help assist those trying to transform to circular thinking, or circular business models. To access as broad a range of people and organisations as possible there would be an online presence, a dedicated website. This has been established and receives regular visitor numbers of approximately 7,000 per month. This is the basic background level of activity but of course it spikes when there is a specific event. The website has been a huge success in allowing anyone with an internet connection to access the hundreds of practical examples of activities in the

circular economy space. It is also interactive, in that there are discussion forums, plus a facility to upload what you, as a circular economy activist, are doing to bring about the transformation. The website is a living space, always growing and developing, with a live feed from twitter conversations, and new best practice examples being added all the time. In another first, after 60 years, it is the first inter-institutional EU website. The critical element that makes it innovative is that it is stakeholder driven. The EESC hosts the site but the online activity is driven by the circular economy community. This means that the working good practices come from all sizes of organisation, from entrepreneurs to big business to social enterprises, and the online space provides a platform for these people to connect and share knowledge and learning. The website also hosts a section on the different Circular Economy Strategies that have been developed all over Europe, allowing

renewablematter 27. 2019 those developing new strategies or assessing implementation of existing strategies to avail themselves of living experiences of others in the same or related fields. Yet with all the technological advancement in the world, there is still no substitute for meeting face to face. Therefore the EESC and Commission have organised and co-hosted a European Circular Economy Stakeholder Platform conference and networking opportunity on an annual basis. These conferences have been extremely well attended. Last March it was exciting to see queues of delegates out on to the street on Rue De la Loi in Brussels as they prepared to register in the Charlemagne building for the first day of the two day event.

It is important to be open to all voices to help design a future that is fair and that can actually function in the best interests of society as a whole.

These events have really highlighted the synergetic benefit of the EESC and EC working together to facilitate this type of stakeholder engagement. The Commission takes ownership at the highest levels and can clearly communicate the latest initiatives, and the future trends of their legislative proposals and work plans. Stakeholders can feed back into this process through interactive workshops. The EESC focuses on linking those who are rolling up their sleeves and making the change happen. A second day of short focused working groups are facilitated. This year, a Networking Village was established as a type of pop-up feature, allowing those all-important face-to-face interactions to happen. These conference attendees get close to a thousand people in number and therefore it is a challenge to ensure that the different voices are captured, and the lessons and knowledge gathered are harnessed in some way. With this in mind, the EESC and the Commission decided to establish a Coordination Group to facilitate the functioning of the Platform. The Coordination Group is made up of 24 stakeholder representatives ranging from different sectors â&#x20AC;&#x201C; local government, civil society, national or sectoral networks and academia. The establishment of this Coordination Group again reflected the appetite for Circular Economy across the EU, with almost 200 applications to join the 24-person group. The Coordination Group obviously does not include all the most important and valuable actors in the space, however it does try to represent a cross section of groups and represents a geographical range that includes 13 different member states. In yet another innovative approach to stakeholder engagement the Chair of this group is held in rotation by the stakeholders themselves. Currently, Ladeja Godina KoĹĄir, a strong networker from Circular Change in Slovenia is the elected Chair of the group for 2019.

Members meet once a year between the conferences, but also gather informally when they find themselves all at the same circular events across Europe. The emphasis is not on meetings but rather on action, and the group has designed and is implementing a constructive work plan to ensure the wider Platform continues to function well and adds value to the creation of a circular economy in Europe, and ultimately in supply chains that go beyond the EU. The Platform has managed to break through some of the normal limitations of stakeholder engagement. These limitations can include the fact that it is often the most organised that have the strongest representation. The average citizen has many hats: a consumer, a householder, a business person/owner, a worker, an entrepreneur, a driver, a renter, a user of services and so on. But the average citizen is not always organised in a way that allows them to feel they are represented in these many, varied and complex perspectives. Stakeholders are often groups of organised vested interests, with a very specific focus. It is important to be open to all voices to help design a future that is fair and that can actually function in the best interests of society as a whole. It is interesting to note that a new paradigm, or a new economic model such as a circular economy, will create new business models and new ways of interacting with goods and services as consumers. These future stakeholder groups, by definition, do not yet exist. It is a limitation of stakeholder engagement when it comes to designing ambitious new futures. Each group very often has a particular corner of this paradigm to try and protect. The experimental model of stakeholder engagement used to structure the Platform has yielded valuable lessons. Engagement is best when it is open to all. Institutions and policy makers can provide valuable structures and supports but should not take the lead when designing the message. Furthermore, the vision for the future must be clearly communicated so that all in society can see where the improvements from their perspectives are â&#x20AC;&#x201C; whatever particular hat they may be wearing at that moment. The linear economic model has failed us on all quantifiable means. We have lived through a period of economic collapse, environmental degradation, biodiversity loss, societal inequality, and a paralysis of action. Circular thinking provides one small but important tool to deliver a brighter more equitable and prosperous future for us all. The European Circular Economy Stakeholder Platform needs to remain dynamic and responsive in order to deliver. It is yet to be seen if that is possible. But certainly the message is: so far so good. Lots done, more to do.

Sasint/Pixabay

Dossier

THAILAND Although they may not have an efficient collection and recycling system, the Land of Smiles is investing significant resources into taking advantage of its huge bio-capital potential and waste derived from agricultural production. After years of waste and lack of care this could be the start of a new development for Thailand, one of the most rich and populous countries in the region.

renewablematter 27. 2019

Thailand:

A Very Biotech Bioeconomy

by Mario Bonaccorso

The biobased economy is considered a strategic tool for the country’s industrial development in the third millennium. The commitment is to bring the bioeconomy’s contribution to GDP from a predicted 2% in 2022 to 37% by 2037. Mario Bonaccorso is a journalist and creator of the Bioeconomista blog.

Abundant natural resources, highly skilled workforce, important petrochemical industry and a government that sustains the decarbonisation process with conviction and a plan to increase the bioeconomy’s contribution to the country’s GDP from a predicted 2% in 2022 to 37% by 2037. These are, in brief, the factors contributing to a promising outlook for the bioeconomy in Thailand, a country that is home to between 8 and 10% of the world’s microorganic species, and about 8% of plants. Thailand produces 50% of the world’s manioc, 9.4% of its sugar and 24.9% of rice, all of which gets exported on a global scale. This wealth of natural resources, combined with strong support from government institutions (National Biotechnology Framework in 2004, National Bioplastic Roadmap in 2008, Alternative Energy Development Plan in 2012, Thailand 4.0 and the New S-Curve in 2015), is allowing for strong development of biobased production and attracting significant investments from foreign multinationals, for example with the Total Corbion PLA joint venture, through which the French oil giant and the Dutch biochemical company are focusing on the production of PLA (polylactic acid) bioplastics. Human capital in Thailand is also becoming more and more suited to the concerns of the bioeconomy: in 2017, according to the Office of Higher Education Commission, there were over 34,000 degrees awarded in the sciences, and over 40,000 in engineering subjects. Furthermore, universities are offering numerous study programmes that are focused on the bioeconomy, such as the Bioinnovation degree course launched at Mahidol University. The bioeconomy is also the protagonist of several short, medium and long-term programmes by businesses in sectors seen as key within the Thailand 4.0 economic development plan. In discussions about agriculture, biotechnologies and nutrition for the future, the bioeconomy is

present, just like it is in longer-term discussions regarding biofuels and chemical products with biological origins. All in all, an economy based on renewable biological resources is seen as a strategic area that will enhance industrial development in Thailand in the third millennium. Bioplastic in Pole Position One of the feathers in the cap of the Thai bioeconomy is the production of bioplastics. Sugarcane, converted to PLA and then used to produce bioplastics, can increase its value sevenfold, according to the Bangkok government’s estimates. The abundance of raw materials and the presence of a strong petrochemical industry, with approximately three thousand companies active in the plastics sector, has enhanced the production of bioplastics, 90% of which is destined for export. In 2006, the national government declared the bioplastics industry as one of the “new wave industries” considered primarily important for the country’s growth. Seen as an emerging industry, its potential is enormous, thanks to the presence of natural resources (manioc above all) that are low-cost and readily available, as well as to a network of plastic-producing companies with consolidated channels for distributing the finished product globally. Thailand is the largest exporter of plastic in Southeast Asia, and ranks eighth in the world. The roadmap for bioplastics fostered integration and a tighter collaboration between the government, the private sector and the research community, and has led to the creation of a series of programmes of support, incentives and infrastructure to encourage innovation and commercialisation, with the ultimate goal of creating a sustainable bioplastics industry in Thailand that is able to compete on an international scale. Within this framework, 89 research and development projects have received

Thailand is one of the main countries in the Southeast-Asian bioethanol market.

financing, an industrial association for the sector has been established, standards have been set for biodegradable and compostable bioplastics, cooperation with other industrial associations in Europe, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan has been strengthened, and an international conference, InnoBioplast, has been organised.

Dutch multinational celebrated the launch of its 75,000-tonnes-per-year bioplastic PLA plant, near Rayong, in the East of Thailand. The new structure will produce a wide range of Luminy PLA resins derived from non-GMO, locally sourced and renewable sugar: all the way from standard PLA to innovative, heat-resistant PLA.

Market Players

Biofuels

Some of the major players in this market are based in Thailand, or at least have one of their headquarters there. Multibax is one of the most renowned national companies in the sector. Its flagship product is Mbio-2, a biodegradable plastic bag that has been certified by the main certification bodies worldwide. PTT MCC Biotech is a joint venture uniting the Thai chemical colossus PTT Global Chemical and Japan’s Mitsubishi Chemical, which has developed a biobased polybutylene succinate (bio-PBS), whose main application is in compostable bioplastic derived from maize, manioc and sugarcane. NatureWorks is also a joint venture involving PTT Global, this time alongside US company Cargill. A leader in the bioplastics market, this Minnesota-based company has one of its offices near Bangkok. Finally, Total Corbion PLA is already a consolidated presence in the Thai territory. The first initiative came from Corbion, which has been active in Thailand since 2005, producing lactic acid which is used to make bioplastic (PLA) from sugar. Last December, the French-

Thailand is also one of the main players when it comes to the Southeast-Asian bioethanol market. In 2018, production reached 1.5 billion litres, a threefold increase in value compared to just ten years earlier. And the goal set out in the Alternative Energy Development Plan expect that output will reach 3 billion litres by 2026. According to the same plan, by 2036 renewable energies should account for 30% of the total, with a substantial growth for biofuels – from 7 to 25%. The Thai government is confident that the market will grow, and stated a goal for bioethanol consumption to increase from 1.18 billion litres to 4.1 billion litres by 2036, and for biodiesel consumption from 1.24 billion to 5.1 billion by the same date. All of this involves a series of fiscal incentives and subsidies that support an increase in the number of vehicles that can be powered by E20 and E85 fuel mixtures. Sugarcane and manioc are once again the primary raw materials, with sugarcane dominating the market – amounting to 70% of bioethanol production – because of its low processing costs. Among the main players in the market is Global Green Chemicals, formerly known as

renewablematter 27. 2019

National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, www.biotec.or.th/en/ index.php

Thai Oleochemicals Company, a leader in the production of methyl ester, a key ingredient in biodiesel. Alongside it can be found the Bangchak Corporation Public Company, which has ventured into the bioenergy sector with three different companies: Bangchak Biofuel, Bangchak Bioethanol and Ubon Bio Ethanol. Thailand is third in the world for production of palm oil, therefore much of the country’s biodiesel is derived from this raw material.

“The key challenge for reforming Thailand’s economic structure is that we have been functioning as a low-value driven economy for so long, producing and exporting only raw materials for other countries to transform and thus losing the chance to generate added value,” the Deputy Prime Minister stated when presenting the plan.

Attracting Investments

Underpinning the development of the bioeconomy in Thailand is the founding, in 1983, of the National Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC), which, starting in 1991, became one of the outstanding research centres at the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA) with a specific focus on technology transfer. BIOTEC is a primary research centre across all of Asia, managing research units across the Thailand Science Park, as well as specialised laboratories hosted by different universities, giving work to over 500 people, including 170 research fellows and 200 lab technicians and research assistants. Research activity covers a wide area: from agrarian science to biomedical and environmental sciences. In addition to research laboratories, BIOTEC’s activities include an awareness campaign, education and international relations. The Centre is financed by government funds and private foundations, but also by income derived from the services it provides. Its technology transfer activities are toplevel, involving public and private companies – especially in rural communities – and accompanied by continuous efforts to educate workers in the field of biotechnology. Industrial biotechnologies are the real engine of the “Made in Thailand” bioeconomy.

The Thai market is very interesting in terms of bioeconomy. The financial support coming from the government has helped in this regard. In 2017, with the aim of attracting foreign investment, the Bioeconomy Scheme was launched: 400 billion Thai baht (equivalent to 11.7 billion euro) to aid the bioeconomy, in three phases. The first, with 51 billion between 2017 and 2018, the second in 2019-2020 with 182 billion, and the third from 2021 to 2026 with 132 billion. Furthermore, at the beginning of this year a development plan for the bioeconomy was presented, led by the Board of Investments, a government agency under the direct control of the Prime Minister’s office. “Green is the way to go for investors in Thailand”, declared Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak on March 4th upon announcing the Thai plan for the bioeconomy, with the new generous incentive scheme for investors interested in building the Kingdom’s new economy, financing research, development and innovation. According to the politician, a growing and lucrative bioeconomy serves the double purpose of reducing income inequality among farmers whilst at the same time creating highervalue products, thanks to a collaboration between science, agriculture and industry. “The package to promote Thailand as a bioeconomy hub not only gives large companies an opportunity, but also supports community businesses and agricultural cooperatives”, Somkid added. The plan set forth by the Thailand Board of Investment (BoI) guarantees eight years of corporate-tax exemption for investors and additional fiscal privileges after this period (depending on the investments made), as well as assistance measures for farmers. According to the BoI, this incentive scheme may foster the development of several clusters across the territory, focused on fruit waste in the Northern provinces, on sugarcane and tapioca in the Northwest and on palm in the Southern provinces. The bioeconomy development plan is based on five pillars: bioenergy, biochemistry, food, animal feed and biopharmaceuticals. The latter is seen as an integral part of the Thai bioeconomy, in line with the Anglo-Saxon model (the US and the UK both refer explicitly to biopharma in their national strategies for bioeconomy).

The Role of the BIOTEC Research Centre

Policy Interview

by M. B.

The Bioeconomy in Thailand is Rapidly Expanding Mariagiovanna Vetere, Global Public Affairs Manager for NatureWorks.

A fifty-fifty joint venture between US food giant Cargill and Thailand’s PTT Global Chemical, NatureWorks is a global leader in the bioplastics market. In this interview with Renewable Matter, Mariagiovanna Vetere, NatureWorks’ Global Public Affairs Manager explains what it means to invest in the bioeconomy in Thailand, and what the country’s strengths and weaknesses are.

NatureWorks, www.natureworksllc.com

Half of NatureWorks, as a venture, is Thai. What are the strong suits of the bioeconomy in Thailand? “The bioeconomy in Thailand has as its starting point an abundance of natural resources and biodiversity to be found on its territory: 8% of the world’s microorganisms and 10% of plant species are to be found there. Today, on a global level, Thailand produces approximately 50% of cassava, 9.4% of sugar and 25% of rice (source: World’s Top Exports, KrungsriResearch 2017). This abundance is undoubtedly an asset, especially when paired with a clear development policy that believes in the bioeconomy, both in terms of finance and of cultural development, and demonstrated by the government’s support for many higher education programmes for the education of experts in chemistry, bioengineering and biotechnology.” And its weaknesses? “The bioeconomy is booming, both in terms of

materials (biopolymers, green chemistry) and biofuels. I think the biggest challenge the country will have to face relates to the sustainability of the biomasses being used. NatureWorks is committed to certifying all the biomass used at its plants – now and in the future – to guarantee that the development of the bioeconomy proceeds at the same rate as sustainable agriculture and the protection of soil, water and biodiversity.” Thailand is showing a lot of support for the bioplastics sector. What does this mean, concretely, for you? And what are the main differences with the US and Europe? “The Thai government is investing more than Europe and more than the US, and has set out an extremely competitive support plan for foreign investors. One need only think of the corporate-tax exemptions for up to 15 years, and the deductibility of Research and Development expenses. For NatureWorks this represents a very appealing package that will aid the construction of a second – maybe even a third – plant for the production of our Ingeo polymer.” Is there a good level of awareness among the Thai public when it comes to “green” matters? “The Thai population is becoming ever more aware of the problems that are tied to climate change, in particular following the floods that regularly afflict this tropical nation. The issue of atmospheric pollution is also very strongly felt, given the rise of PM2.5 levels tied to forest fires in neighbouring countries and the increase in road traffic.” How important is palm oil for the Thai bioeconomy? “I’m not an expert on the matter, but I know that palm oil is used within the field of green chemistry to create numerous products. Thailand is an important producer of palm oil and here too sustainability plays an important role in preserving the great biodiversity of Thailand’s forests.” What are NatureWorks’ development plans in Southeast Asia? “So far, there are no detailed plans: we’re actually exploring the possibility of building one of our next plants in Thailand, but there are still no certainties on this matter.”

Dossier

JAPAN

Dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;aprĂ¨s Yayoi Kusama

In Kamikatsu, Japan, separate waste collection is made up of 45 different types of waste. There are also numerous Japanese cities that are aiming for zero waste, making it a country that is moving towards the circular use of materials with steadfast determination.

Policy

Circular Japan With 81% of waste sent for recycling or reuse, and a separate waste collection featuring 45 different types of refuse, Kamikatsu, a small Japanese town, is working towards generating zero waste. In fact, the whole of Japan aspires to become a society based on the circular use of materials in order to reduce consumption of natural resources and alleviate environmental pressure. Kamikatsu, a rural municipality with 1,500 inhabitants located on the wooded island of Shikoku in the Japanese archipelago, performs a record household separate waste collection with 45 different types of waste. No dumpsters along the streets and only the odd waste collection vehicle seen around elderly people’s homes. Indeed, residents themselves take newspapers, plastic packaging, lighters and batteries to a communal waste collection centre.

Akira Sakano

by Silvia Zamboni

Zero Waste Academy, zwa.jp/en

Silvia Zamboni is a journalist specialised in energy and environmental issues. She has authored books on good practices of the green economy, mobility and development.

“Twenty years ago, we adopted a strategy to reach our zero waste target by 2020. Today, 81% of waste is sent for recycling or reuse,” explains Akira Sakano, Chair of the Zero Waste Academy – the non-profit organisation dealing with the implementation of the project in Kamikatsu – at the World Economic Forum in Davos in February 2019. Metal waste is divided into aluminium, tin, steel, spray cans and bottle caps; plastic waste is split into PET bottles, caps, polystyrene foams; bottles are separated according to glass colour; whereas newspapers, cardboard, milk containers and paper tableware are stacked on different shelves. Households generate compost from food waste. “Initially, most citizens were sceptical and worried about wasting too much time separating their waste, but then unexpected benefits came along, such as droves of people visiting the centre filling up hotels and restaurants,” Sakano proudly reveals. At the collection centre, many residents deal with the second-hand shop – the kuru-kuru shop – where used items are swapped for free, while in the craft workshop – the kuru-kuru craft centre – village grannies tailor garments reusing old clothes. During national holidays,

a free tableware hiring service replaces disposable flatware. Promotions, including collectable points linked to paper waste disposal and then extended to single-use umbrellas and razors, entitle people to receive giveaways. Lastly, restaurants, bars and shops have adopted a zero waste certification system in their effort to reduce unsorted waste. What next? “Nowadays, priorities are more complex: on the one hand to help Kamikatsu become fully sustainable, even economically, by countering issues such as depopulation; and on the other to spread the vast experience we have built up here to other places. Demand is not in short supply especially in Southeast Asia,” points out Akira Sakano. While Kamikatsu was the first Japanese municipality, in 2003, to commit to the zero waste target with a deliberation passed by the town council, other municipalities followed suit: Oki (15,000 inhabitants), Mizuma (14,000), Minamata (25,000) and Ikaruga (28,000), as well as Osaki (134,000 residents), Zushi (58,000), Hayama (33,000) and Soo (13,000) that share the same target albeit with no formal commitments. The zero-waste “fever” of Japanese municipalities is no surprise: the first national measure to promote separate waste collection, as well as packaging and container recycling (such as bottles and cans) dates back to 1997. Later on, in 2000, Japan adopted the 3R strategy: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. The Fundamental Plan for Establishing a Sound Material-Cycle Society (A framework Act for the creation of a society properly based on circular implementation of materials) is a landmark towards such targets. “Such measures lay the foundations for the creation of a society based on the 3Rs in order to

renewablematter 27. 2019

Yasuhiko Hotta

Fundamental Plan for Establishing a Sound Material-Cycle Society, 4. ed. June 2018, www.env.go.jp/en/recycle/ smcs/4th-f_Plan.pdf

promote the use of natural resources and reduce environmental pressure. Furthermore, it allocates tasks and responsibilities to various stakeholders: the State, local governments, businesses and citizens,” explains Yasuhiko Hotta – Director of the Department for Sustainable Consumption and Production of the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies in Tokyo. According to such subdivision, the State regulates the postconsumer household waste management, while local authorities are responsible for the collection. “The most popular method is waste depots financed by municipalities and managed by citizens where, according to the days of the week, certain waste types are taken for recycling,” states Hotta. “Some municipalities apply a quantitybased tariff equal to the cost of liners for unsorted waste. This system helps reduce the amount of waste disposed of.”

But there are also some municipalities that “demand that users write their names on top of liners, so that they can trace them back in case of mistakes. With names, if irregularities are spotted, operators may inspect liners in order to gather useful elements and retrace the waste back to the citizen who – when found – can be educated as to the correct way to carry out separate waste collection,” concludes Sakano. The implementation of the 2000 Framework Act is articulated in the five-year plans known as Fundamental Plans, setting targets and measures to reach them as well as indicators to monitor results, such as productivity of the use of resources, reuse of recycled materials in production cycles and post-consumer recycling percentages. It also includes specific directives

Video “This Japanese town produces almost zero waste”, WEF Davos 2019 www.youtube.com/watch?time_ continue =31&v=uovxjsO4VnY

Above: Separate waste collection centre

Hyper Separate Waste Collection in Kamikatsu A list of the 45 types of household waste collected separately (in brackets, destination other than recycling): reusable goods, organic waste, aluminium cans, steel cans, spray bottles, metal caps, metal objects, newspapers, cardboard packaging, magazines, milk cartons, paper tableware, paper and aluminium containers, carboard, paper cuttings, mixed paper material, used clothes, non-recoverable garments (transformed into RPF – Refuse paper and plastic fuel – obtained from non-recyclable paper and plastic waste), wood chopsticks (for combustion and RPF), cooking oil, washed plastic packaging (recycling and RPF), unwashed plastic

packaging (RPF), white polystyrene, other polystyrene (RPF), PET bottles, PET caps (plastic objects and RPF), white glass bottles, coloured glass bottles, mixed colour glass bottles, returnable bottles, glass jars, mirrors and thermometers containing mercury, fluorescent bulbs and tubes, batteries and accumulators, lighters, bulky metal items, bulky wood items (RPF), matrasses (RPF), bulky PVC and rubber items (incineration), leather and PVC waste (incineration), nappies and paper napkins (incineration), tyres (RPF), hand warmers and miscellaneous components (landfill), household appliances (collected by producers).

Policy Citizen Awareness Campaigns Citizen awareness campaigns include “Waste Reduction and Recycling Promotion Week” which opens every year on 30th May. October is the month devoted to the promotion of the 3Rs (reduce, recycle, reuse) with initiatives for consumers and economic operators. The “EnvironmentFriendly Consumption Campaign” is led by the government, local administrations, producer associations, manufacturers and retailers. The Ministry of Environment awards prizes to citizens, businesses and communities excelling in Establishing a Sound Material-

Below and left: An old lady shows a coloured textile at the kuru-kuru shop Below and right: Women working in the craft centre

Cycle Society. The website Re-style raises awareness online about the importance of the 3R strategy. According to statistics, over 60% of Japanese people carry out separate waste collection, buy bulk goods and use reusable shopping bags; about 20% do not buy throwaway or unnecessary products, use their chopsticks in restaurants and buy used or recycled products. Citizens’ involvement in removing waste after football matches, other sports or entertainment events is also rising.

on the treatment of write-off vehicles, home appliances, household electronic devices, packaging, inert waste from demolition materials and food waste. To promote the market of eco-friendly recycled materials and services, the Green Purchasing Act was also approved in 2000, addressing public administrations in particular, whose purchases account for 20% of Japanese GDP.

Re-Style, www.re-style.env.go.jp

Lastly, in 2001, the law on waste management and public health introduced strict anti-dioxin rules leading to the decommissioning of small incinerators. A government-funded eco-town programme, that between 1997 and 2007 led to the establishment of industrial infrastructure for waste recycling and treatment, is another pillar of the Japanese government’s push towards zero waste.

renewablematter 27. 2019

Above: Kuru-kuru shop

To date, the four targets/plans approved over the years draw inspiration from various needs. “Firstly, the priority was to promote recycling to reduce the use of raw materials. Secondly, it tackled export issues, for instance to China and Southeast Asia, of used goods and recyclable materials. A widespread phenomenon that is criticised for failing to verify the correctness of final treatment,” explains Hotta. Today, exports are illegal, so the percentage, which in the past was almost 30%, is now considerably lower. The third plan managed to give impetus to the Rs for reduction and reuse, whereas the fourth, approved in 2018, “tackles more complex ecological issues across the board, moving on from just waste, and addressing issues such as international commitments on climate and the 2030 UN Sustainable Development Goals,” points out Hotta. In particular, Japan focuses on the one hand on new business models no longer based on spurring demand but rather aimed at supplying goods in the truly needed quantity, and on the other on shared services, reducing the use of resources in production and promoting

products’ intensive use. Ecodesign will have to guarantee reparability, replaceability, dismantling, post-consumer separate waste collection and goods updating. Within the new business models, distributors that are able to connect producers and consumers will prevail. Thanks to Industry 4.0, the Internet of Things, robotization, Big Data, artificial intelligence and other technological innovations, an economy with a reduced use of resources is expected to pick up. The fourth target/plan also outlines Japan’s intended role on an international level in the circular economy and expanding its waste management and recycling industry abroad, including importing waste from countries with no recycling technologies. The announced measures include organising national citizens’ awareness campaigns, so as to halve by 2030, compared to 2000 levels, food waste and improve recycling; setting up household waste collection procedures better suited to an aging population; further promotion of the use of waste-derived energy. Detailed 2025 goals include: recycled material use rates (on resources used) set at 18% (compared to 16% in 2015), recycling rate of waste generated at 47% (44% in 2015), and reduction of landfilling to 13 million tonnes per year compared to 14 million in 2015. By 2025, the per capita production of household waste will have to be reduced to 0.440 kg/day (compared to 0.507 in 2016 and 0.653 in 2000). From an economic point of view, the 2025 goal is to double the market value of Japan’s 3 Rs (efficient use of resources and equipment, waste treatment and recycle, use of clean energies, durable building, sustainable agriculture, fishing and forest management) which was assessed in 2000 and amounted to 40,000 billion yen (increased to 47,000 billion in 2015). As for the efficient use of resources (expressed with the ratio GDP/tonnes of natural resources used in the industrial sector and in citizen

Post-disaster Waste Management Since 11th March 2011, Japan has been dealing with an unprecedented problem: managing nuclear waste created in the aftermath of the earthquake and tsunami that hit Fukushima Nuclear Power Station. But there is more. Earthquake risk and the reoccurrence of extreme natural phenomena raise fears of even worse disasters, for instance, if Tokyo metropolitan area were to be hit. A situation that requires the country “to devise a system for the management of waste deriving from natural disasters”, says the fourth target-plan, because, “acting promptly to collect

and treat waste in affected areas is essential to make them liveable again.” But at the end of 2016 only 24% of municipalities were equipped with such a plan. As for Fukushima, the evacuated area has been nearly totally remediated, excluding the one labelled “Difficult Return.” Storage of removed soil and contaminated debris started in October 2017. In March 2018, 1.91 million tonnes were transferred to temporary storage and subsequently incinerated in temporary plants built in various municipalities to share the amount to be treated.

Accredia, L’economia circolare nelle politiche pubbliche. Il ruolo della certificazione, May 2018, www.accredia.it/ pubblicazione/leconomiacircolare-nelle-politichepubbliche-il-ruolo-dellacertificazione

Policy

Above: Old ladies at work in the kuru-kuru craft centre

Right: Separate waste collection for cardboard in Kamikatsu

consumption) indicators included in the 4th plan show that over the years this ratio constantly improved (+50% in the 2000-2009 decade), increasing from about 230.000 yen/tonne in 2000 to 380.000 yen/tonne in 2015 and then stabilising. To get things going again, the fourth target-plan raises the bar to 490.000 yen/tonne by 2025. To tackle plastic waste, the government plans to promote reusable shopping bags, non single-use tableware and recycled containers. As for non-recyclable plastic, and bioplastic, when reaching mass size, they will be incinerated for energy recovery.

electronic delivery notes for waste traceability (from producer to appointed managing plant) now compulsory by law for big producers of hazardous waste (excluding PCB). The new target for 2022: 70% reuse. There is also a proposal for a hotline to collect reports of fly-tipping by citizens.

The 2018 Report The Circular Economy for Public Policies. The Role of Certification by Accredia (the single national accreditation body designed by the Italian Government) puts the spotlight on recycling percentages achieved by Japan in some areas: 98% for metals, while for household appliances between 74% and 89% of materials are recovered and reused. For instance, with the very metals recovered from electronic equipment they will produce Tokyo 2020 Olympics and Paralympics medals. The law on extended producer responsibility provides for a contribution payable by consumers to cover collection and post-consumer costs and appoints producer consortiums with the management of recovery plants. For this reason, before starting production, manufacturers send their prototypes to disassembling plants, which they co-own, to test disassembly efficiency (source: Accredia Report). Data on illegal disposals are also positive: from 1,197 cases in 1998 down to 131 in 2016 (but with a single dumping event of 5,000 tonnes in 2016). This thanks to the spread (57% in 2017) of

So, is everything fine? No, not according to the Zero Waste Academy Chair. “For instance, household and tertiary-sector waste recycling only amounts to 20%, while the remaining 80% ends up in incinerators. To truly embark on the 3R path, the government should allocate to recycling plants those public subsidies with which it currently supports incinerators.” Whilst acknowledging that, “in the industrial sector recycling rates are higher because businesses are equipped with suitable technology for it and a specific waste range to treat, what really matters is the percentage reintroduced into the production cycle and that used as fuel. Much better than burning without energy recovery or landfilling,” points out Akira Sakano, “but incineration has nothing to do with recovering matter according to the principles of the circular economy.” “This is the only planet we have and we are destroying it,” says Sakano with deep regret at the World Economic Forum in Davos. “I have a daughter who is only a few months old and I think, if things do not change, that when she grows up she will not be able to see, if not on a screen, the beauty of nature with her own eyes.” Recovering and reusing everyday goods helps cut waste production and preserve the planet, claims a video shown in Davos. “Why is your country not learning from Kamikatsu?” is the closing question.

The Mixed State of the European Bio-Based Economy Interview with Michael Carus by the Editorial Staff

credit: nova-Institute

The development of the European bio-based economy and the shift towards a renewable carbon economy are discussed with Michael Carus, CEO of nova-Institute.

Michael Carus (MSc) (Germany) physicist, founder and managing director of the novaInstitute, has been working for over 20 years in the field of Bio- and CO2-based Economy. The focus of his work is market analysis, techno-economic and ecological evaluation as well as the political and economic framework for bio-based processes and applications (“level playing field for industrial material use”). He is actively involved in building networks in the fields of agricultural and forestry resources, bio-based chemicals and materials and industrial biotechnology and biorefinery.

Looking at the current state of the bio-based economy in Europe, one has to draw a mixed conclusion. Research and technology development continue to advance and some fields, like fine chemicals and cellulose fibres, are doing quite well. However, actual implementation, especially in the chemical and plastics industries, is proving to be difficult, in particular because a clear political commitment is missing. To replace fossil carbon in the entire petrochemical industry a new approach is needed. The bio-based economy must become part of an overarching renewable carbon strategy, where it will be a crucial pillar. What is your general impression of the current state of the European bio-based economy? “Very mixed. Research and development are running at full speed, and biotechnology and chemical catalysts have continued to develop well in recent years. Despite low oil

prices, the new technologies have never been closer to profitability than today. Pilot and demonstration plants can also be financed more easily than before. But implementation, especially in the chemical and plastics industries, is difficult. The political will for high-volume implementation is lacking, and in many European countries the focus is more on technology exports than on implementation at home.” Which sectors are doing well? “Areas that are not in direct competition with petrochemicals. This is the area of fine chemicals, such as food ingredients, flavours, body care, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. The new building blocks offer new functions and properties that petrochemistry cannot provide in this way. Such products are allowed to be a little more expensive – in such applications, consumers reward bio-based, natural products. The other successful area is cellulose fibres for textiles due to the high

Foto-Rabe/Pixabay

World

Nova-Institute Nova-Institute is a private and independent research institute, founded in 1994; nova offers research and consultancy services with a focus on bio-based and CO2-based economy in the fields of food and feedstock, techno-economic evaluation, markets, sustainability, dissemination, B2B communication and policy. Every year, nova organises several large conferences on these topics; nova-Institute has 30 employees and an annual turnover of more than 3 million euros.

The equivalent to decarbonisation in the energy sector is a transition to carbon from renewable sources in the chemical and plastics industries. It’s the only way.

http://nova-institute.eu

Bio-based Material Conference, www.bio-basedconference.com

demand for biodegradable natural fibres to avoid microplastics – and cotton is not only environmentally problematic but also scarce and has little room for expansion. Cellulose fibres are the fastest growing textile fibre group with about 10% compound annual growth rate (CAGR). Internally, we have taken these new developments into account by integrating a double session on fine chemicals for the first time at our major Bio-based Material Conference in May. We are also planning a large conference on cellulose fibres in February 2020.” And where is it going rather badly? “The rebirth of the bio-based economy in the 1980s had once begun to replace the entire petrochemical industry in the long term. Technologically, this would be possible today, but not without appropriate political flanking through quotas or taxes on fossil carbon. But politicians do not want to burn

their fingers at chemistry: the chemical and plastics industries have considerable image problems and want to change little about their raw material base. At the same time, the use of food crops is politically taboo, even though starch and sugar crops are available at reasonable prices and do not endanger food safety. There are bottlenecks primarily in proteins. In Germany, good sugar beet locations are being phased out due to overproduction. Second generation sugar, on the other hand, will not get off the ground technologically or economically. Looking back, it appears that the very strong research focus on biorefineries that produce fermentable sugars from lignocellulose on a large scale was a mistake. When new biorefineries are built in Northern Europe today, they mainly produce cellulose fibres (because of demand) or biofuels (because of subsidies). And we also see new concepts of small scale biorefineries.” And first-generation biomass availability is not a problem? “Of course, sustainable biomass will only be available to a limited extent in the future, despite all progress in efficiency and breeding, precision farming and digitalisation, without further endangering biodiversity. So, we will clearly not be able to cover today’s consumption of petrochemical goods including fuels (with the expected growth rates) only with biomass. Both the supply and the demand side need to change: Mobility should quickly switch to electric and hydrogen engines, which will free up biomass. The same applies to the energy sector as a whole. This will allow enough biomass to be available over a long period of time for food, feed and parts of the chemical industry. Furthermore, there are now also other renewable carbon sources such as carbon capture and utilisation that will supplement the use of bio-based resources. These technologies can be used to produce fuels and chemicals using renewable energies. And much more efficiently and on smaller areas than with biomass.” It would seem that the many roadmaps on the bio-based economy still paint a very positive picture of the future. What do you think about those kinds of initiatives? “That is true, but unfortunately, these roadmaps usually remain very general and are more of a research agenda than an implementation agenda. Concrete measures and instruments that would support a stronger market penetration are rare. Moreover, there are often considerable contradictions: while research and development are constantly

renewablematter 27. 2018 developing and optimising new biodegradable plastics, the European plastics strategy then does not give them any credit in terms of contributing to sustainable development. The market is currently in a critical phase: many companies have proactively invested in bio-based materials and products because they expected the legislator to take appropriate measures, but these are not yet coming. At the same time, criticism from NGOs rains down as soon as biomass is linked to land use. Now that policy is more focused on recycling, many companies are losing interest in bio-based. The fact that there are still success stories is due to individual brands that continue to rely on bio-based, and consumers that no longer want normal petroleum-based plastics.” Should we continue to rely on bio-based materials for a sustainable chemical future? What new strategies or alternatives do you see? “We should absolutely continue in this direction, because we need bio-based feedstocks to green the chemical industry. But we do need a new overall strategy. The bio-based economy must become part of an overarching renewable carbon strategy, in which it represents one important pillar.” Renewable Carbon Platform, www.renewable-carbon.eu

What does “a renewable carbon strategy” actually entail? “Well, look at it this way: there is a clear and more or less consistent energy policy that aims to achieve a 100% renewable energy system based on solar, wind, hydro and other forms of renewable energy. Apart from bioenergy, all of these deserve the term ‘decarbonisation,’ which has become quite popular as a term for our future strategy. But there is no corresponding policy or strategy for the material sector, especially for the chemical and plastic industry (even though in the policy framework of the circular economy, ‘decarbonisation’ is also mentioned for the material sector, which I don’t think is accurate or appropriate). The term decarbonisation is sheer nonsense for organic chemistry, which is based on carbon. It is used out of lack of knowledge and as a direct analogue to the energy field. We should NEVER use it in this context! But the term is not only nonsense, it is even risky because it avoids the question of the ‘right’ carbon sources. And this is exactly what we have to provide. The chemical industry may only develop into a sustainable sector once it bids farewell to fossil raw materials such as crude oil, natural gas and coal and uses nothing but renewable carbon as a raw material in organic chemistry. The equivalent to decarbonisation in the energy sector is a transition to carbon

from renewable sources in the chemical and plastics industries. It’s the only way.” How can this be achieved? “Renewable carbon is a collective term that includes all carbon sources that avoid or substitute the utilisation of any additional fossil carbon from the geosphere. Renewable carbon can come from the atmosphere (through carbon capture and utilisation, CCU), biosphere (through biomass utilisation) or technosphere (through recycling or CCU) – but not from the geosphere. These are the only three sources of renewable carbon: recycling, bio-based and CO2-based. All three carbon sources are essential for a complete transition to renewable carbon, and all of them should be similarly used by the industry and be supported by politics. We should avoid brother wars among the three with only one winner: fossil carbon! To replace all the additional fossil carbon which would be extracted in the future, we need the smartest mix of all three renewable alternatives. We need a future materials policy – a policy on renewable carbon. Which of the renewable carbon options come into play should be decided by technology and market forces and not by policy. This depends on regional factors and concrete applications.” Sounds exciting, how is this new strategy accepted by industry and politics so far? “The strategy is slowly but surely spreading like a virus. It is always difficult to develop a cross-sector policy, especially as everyone sits in their lobby silos. And you have to accept that sometimes you have to share to win. In the meantime, we have been able to convince a number of companies and political forces that share our vision and are doing new persuasive work every day. To make the topic understandable, we are planning a cartoon and a YouTube video this year. Everything will be published on our Renewable Carbon Platform: www.renewablecarbon.eu.”

Robert Armstrong/Pixabay

Johannes Plenio/Pixabay

Christian B./Pixabay

renewablematter 27. 2018

Italy Has a New Bioeconomy Strategy Presented in Rome on 14th May, the new bioeconomy strategy aims to reconnect the economy, the environment and society. by the Editorial Staff

Sustainable and increasingly circular. That’s how the Italian bioeconomy should be, according to the updated version of the national strategy presented on 14th May at the Presidency of the Council of Ministers in Rome. In this respect, Italy is following the European model unfalteringly. Indeed, the Comission, led by Jean-Claude Juncker, had already presented its update in October 2018, bringing together the two paradigms of the bioeconomy and the circular economy, as repeatedly demanded by the vast majority of European stakeholders. Furthermore, like Brussels, Rome has placed a strong focus on communication and education to raise public awareness on the huge potential of a bio-based economy for the creation of sustainable development and jobs while curbing climate emergency. Current figures speak volumes: in Italy the overall bioeconomy turnover amounts to about €330 billion and employs 2 million people. Such data, extracted from the 5th Report on the

Bioeconomy in Europe by Intesa Sanpaolo, was obtained transcending the classic European Union definition: thus including new supply chains such as those of wood and furniture, water management and urban organic waste. The 2030 target is ambitious, namely to achieve 15% growth whilst also raising the degree of circularity of bioproducts. The shared vision between Brussels and Rome has also been enshrined by the presence in Rome of Waldemar Kütt, representing the EU Commission’s DG for Research and Innovation and Philippe Mengal – executive director of the private-public partnership Bio-Based Industries Joint Undertaking (BBI JU) – that over the last few years have played a pivotal role in funding biobased innovations in the Old Continent. The Italian government’s initiative was led by Giancarlo Giorgetti – Secretary of the Council of Ministers of Italy – joined by Andrea Lenzi – President of the National Committee for Biosafety, Biotechnologies and Life

World

Iva Balk/Pixabay

public procurement must be transformed into participatory actions allowing use, understanding and replication potential.” As a vision, the new strategy aims at “fostering multidisciplinary approaches to connect technologies and transformative practices while efficiently interconnecting the main sectors of the bioeconomy through sustainable value chains, embracing the production of bio-resources (such as agriculture, animal husbandry, aquaculture, silviculture, marine systems), their elaboration and the promotion of end products (food and beverage, wood, paper, leather, textile, chemical and pharmaceutical industries as well as the energy sector), leveraging traditional sectors deeply rooted locally as well as public and private stakeholders in local communities.” Another major novelty: biopharma becomes part of the Italian concept of bioeconomy, in wake of what has already happened in the UK (whereas in Brussels the debate is still ongoing). In essence, Rome’s vision and strategy now seem clear. What is still lacking is an action plan transforming all these planned paths into a solid reality. As well as the necessary funds, insiders claim.

Siggy Nowak/Pixabay

The Bioeconomy in Europe 5th Report, March 2019 tinyurl.com/y36ys99h

lumix2004/Pixabay

BIT Bioeconomy in Italy. A new bioeconomy strategy for a sustainable Italy, May 2019 http:// cnbbsv.palazzochigi.it/ media/1719/bit_en_2019_ web.pdf

Sciences and by Professor Fabio Fava who was responsible for the update presentation on account of his capacity as coordinator of the working group that drew it up. However, let us examine in more detail the topics tackled by this new strategy: it focusses even more vigorously on “reconnecting the economy, the environment and society.” To win such a challenge, the presented document reads: “it will not be enough to simply use biomass for industrial applications or use regenerative materials instead of fossil raw materials. Bioeconomy does not mean simply integrating biological knowledge into existing technology.” It continues, “To tackle this challenge there must also be a social transition, stimulating awareness and social dialogue leading to more informed behaviour.” According to the Italian government, we need better knowledge of what is consumed – food products and processes in particular – to improve health and lifestyle, stimulating businesses’ demand for sustainable innovation. For this reason, one of the crucial measures highlighted by the document is the further development of ecolabeling. “This process of transition in the economy and society must be holistic, and to better enjoy potential benefits, citizens must become the main actors of the social transformation that the bio-based economy can stimulate.” Social dialogue and the understanding of bioeconomy challenges and opportunities are deemed fundamental to stimulate the demand for new products and services, and thus for the relevant technology innovations and developments. “Measures including

renewablematter 27. 2018

Itelyum:

Circular Economy, Systemic Vision An international leader in the regeneration of used lubricant oils and the production of solvents, Itelyum is a prime example of how the concept of circular economy can extend from the core business of waste management and recovery, to a more inclusive economic, social and environmental vision. by Ilaria Nicoletta Brambilla

A few years ago, in his book Corporation 2020, economist Pavan Sukhdev explained how companies going forward would have to behave differently to those in the so-called “brown economy”, the unsustainable state of affairs that dominated the 20th Century. Sukhdev identified four main directions for change: aligning the goals of companies and public society to generate social and environmental harmony, wellbeing and equality; generating wealth while guaranteeing the protection of human, natural and financial capital; recreating a sense of community and belonging; and, finally, increasing the value of collaborations through improved education on social responsibility. Today – states Sukhdev – when discussing the circular economy, there’s a high risk of limiting discourse to the aspects of regeneration and recycling, but the circular model cannot disregard the responsibility of a business as a whole, including that of the individuals that work there. And this holds true

from small companies all the way to multinational corporations. Itelyum is an example of how the concept of circular economy can and should be extended, departing in this case from the core business of waste management and recovery and reaching a more inclusive vision that integrates economic, environmental and social concerns. The Italian group, formed from the union of 16 companies – including Viscolube and Bitolea – is an international leader in the regeneration of used lubricant oils and the production of solvents (both pure and from chemical waste). It distinguishes itself by offering environmental services to the industrial sector. Itelyum’s mission is to help preserve natural resources and improve quality of life through processes, products and sustainable solutions for waste management and the optimisation of the markets it services, sharing the goods it

World

Pavan Sukhdev, Corporation 2020: Transforming Business for Tomorrow’s World, Island Press, 2012. Published in Italy by Edizioni Ambiente; www.edizioniambiente. it/libri/1076/ corporation-2020

Itelyum, http://itelyum.com/en/ home-en

creates with its business partners, society and the environment. There are three worlds within Itelyum. The first is Regeneration Solutions, which includes the activities of Itelyum Regeneration Srl: a European leader for over fifty years in the production of highquality regenerated lubricant bases, thanks to a patented re-refinement process that was developed in-house. Thanks to technologies like catalytic hydrogenation, the regeneration plants treat used lubricant oils to create high-performing and sustainable group I+ and group II+ base oils, which are then used by the most important lubrication companies in the world. Gasoline and bitumen can also be recovered from used lubricant oils. And the environmental benefits are significant: Itelyum’s regenerated base oils emit half the CO2, four times less particulate dust and five times less acidifiers compared to base oils made from the first refining of crude oil. Purification Solutions, which includes the activities of Itelyum Purification Srl, has been a leader for over forty years in the production and marketing of solvents, manufactured both as high-purity products and from the recovery of chemical waste. Every year it regenerates and recovers, with industrial efficiency and high levels of quality, almost 100,000 tonnes of used solvents derived primarily from the chemical and chemicalpharmaceutical sectors. The solvents can then return to their sector of origin, or they can be recovered with new formulations to satisfy needs in other markets. Much like with Regeneration Solutions, the Purification wing creates products whose CO2 emissions are up to ten times less than their primary production counterparts. Itelyum’s productive capacity in this regard is also impressive, reaching 100,000 tonnes of pure products obtained from selected petroleum derivatives, technical streams and virgin raw materials, and it is also integrated thanks to trading activities. Additionally, a dedicated department synthesises “starting materials” for pharmaceuticals and custom-made products, employing processes that benefit from the synergy with the solvent regeneration enterprise. Finally, Environment Solutions unites, controls and coordinates 13 companies based in northern Italy that manage 450,000 tonnes of special waste each year, in every phase from collection, storage, transport and pre-treatment. Additionally, the group carries out service and mediation activities, environmental and safety consultancy as well as running an accredited laboratory for chemical and environmental analysis and two plants for industrial water treatment. With 15 sites in operation across Italy, 500 employees and over 20,000 clients in over 50 countries, Itelyum has called into question the traditional objectives of a large part of society and the economy. It’s no coincidence that the vision it laid out at the group’s launch in March sets forth the idea that to be a recognised leader in a sector does not just involve responsible manufacturing, sustainable product marketing and offering integrated solutions, but most of all it means being

an inspiration and an example for all those who believe that people, intellectual capabilities, social relations and natural, financial or technological resources are a capital that should be prized, not wasted or overlooked. “With Itelyum – states CEO Antonio Lazzarinetti – we have given life to an industrial and service platform that is entirely devoted to providing sustainable solutions that are able to generate economic and environmental value for our employees, our clients, our shareholders and for society at large. Itelyum’s sustainability and responsibility policies are inspired by the highest international benchmarks, and in particular by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, the International Labour Organisation’s Protocols and Recommendations, the SA80000 and ISO 26000 standards and by the Global Reporting Initiative. These politics are reflected in the Codes that Itelyum has adopted in the accords signed with social partners and in the commitments resulting from the United Nations Global Compact.” To these ends, the group puts into practice the commitments it has made by setting out small, medium and large scale goals. For example, it aims to be constantly involved with local communities and completely transparent with its information in relation to the wider social world – including institutions and authorities, NGOs and representatives of the public and private sector – from the smallest working site to the highest levels of corporate management. Furthermore, all the companies in the group are required to enact principles of equality towards all employees, contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, clients, final users and all other subjects involved in the sphere of influence of the group’s activity. Relationships with clients and suppliers are developed based on the creation of partnerships, the exchange of information and the sharing of commitments and common goals, promoting relations that invest time, competences and resources to support communities and enhance local development. And it doesn’t stop there: the group and its members are prohibited from intentionally demonstrating any kind of support for organisations that aren’t in line with the same standards of business integrity that they have themselves adopted for their companies. The creation of the Itelyum group is not only a leap forwards in terms of business configuration, but also a model for the shouldering of responsibility that cannot be shirked by a 21st century company. This has been achieved by combining the creation of market value with environmental responsibility, by promoting responsible use of natural resources for the duration of products’ life cycle and adopting management strategies aimed at reducing consumption, thus maintaining the availability and quality of these resources. Itelyum has also embraced social responsibility by making a commitment to anti-discrimination policies, increasing its attention to the wellbeing of employees and local communities, and performing educational activities.

renewablematter 27. 2018

Urban Mining: India’s Billion Dollar E-Waste Market by Soumik Dutta

As private companies try to get a foothold in urban mining, India’s booming e-waste market is still largely in the hands of the unregulated sector.

Soumik Dutta is a freelance investigative journalist based in Kolkata, India. He specialises in hydro power, energy and financial corruption issues involving corporations and politicians, as well as environmental issues and the rights of indigenous peoples.

The Brand Equity Foundation estimates that India’s electronics market will reach $400 billion by 2022. According to the telecom giant Ericsson, smart phones will lead the boom in India from 90 million users in 2013 to a massive 520 million smart phone users by 2020. By 2020 India’s e-waste from old mobile phones and computers will rise by about 1,800% and 500% respectively, according to the industry body ASSOCHAM-KPMG’s joint study. Alarmingly, a mere 1.5 % of India’s total e-waste gets recycled, while over 95% of e-waste generated is managed by the unregulated sector, the rest ends up in landfills. Urban Mining Emerging in India India is the world’s biggest gold user, yet it has only one operational gold mine, at Hutti,

in Karnataka state, Southern India, which produces a paltry 2 tonnes annually. Extracting a gram of gold takes about a tonne of ore in a mine, but to extract the same quantity from e-waste only requires recycling around 41 smart phones. Seeing the opportunity, private companies have entered the Indian urban mining sector. Take for example Attero.in, which recycles 1,000 tonnes of e-waste per month, extracting precious metals in its mini recycling plant in Uttarakhand state in India. Due to its operating efficiency, business model and profitability, it has attracted $5 million in investments from the IFC, the private investment arm of the World Bank. Attero, is India’s second-largest extractor of gold from e-waste. It also runs

World e-waste buyback programmes for companies like Voltas, Infosys, and Wipro. Few players in India have the technology to extract rare metals cost-effectively. However, Attero claims to have conducted lab tests in which they have extracted neodymium, which is found in 90% of the world’s magnets, although the technology is not market-ready yet. Attero’s focus on extraction has given it a technological edge; its patented process is the most costefficient in the world. Whereas most foreign companies have the capex per tonne of PCB at roughly $15,000, for Attero, it’s only about $1,000. The size of the plant for most foreign companies is 75 acres. Attero’s facility is less than an acre.

Rudy and Peter Skitterians/Pixabay

Attero is not the only example: E-Parisaraa is another recycling company which has developed its own simple, low cost machines for recycling e-waste, a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) shredder that allows them to export shredded circuit boards to Umicore Belgium under authorisation of the Indian Government. With the aim of providing a sustainable solution to the e-waste problem in India, EcoCentric (a company involved in the urban mining of valuable metals) has built a state of the art 2,500 metric tonnes per annum (MTPA) processing facility in Khopoli, Maharashtra state (certified as an ISO 9001, 14001, 18001 compliant recycling facility). Similarly, Bangalore-based InfoTech Company, Cerebra Integrated Technologies, has India’s largest e-waste recycling plant with Attero.in

a capacity to process close to 90,000 MTPA of e-waste. Cerebra identified a big business opportunity in the mountains of e-waste found in Bangalore city, which produces 200,000 MTPA of e-waste a year. The company is urban mining gold and platinum from the e-waste piling up in the city. Furthermore, there are companies like Ecoreco diversifying into the periodic table; considering that there are more rare-earth elements in discarded phones, laptops, and tablets than in all known natural reserves, and only 1% of all such elements are recycled today, this opens the door to a world of recycling opportunities. The Economics of E-Waste, Recycling and Mining in India India is one of the biggest producers of e-waste in the world. The Global E-waste Monitor 2017, published by the United Nations University, states that India generates about 2 million tonnes of e-waste annually and ranks fifth among e-waste producing countries, although there is no official government data on e-waste generated in the country. The 2016 law tasks the State Pollution Control Board (SPCBs) with generating the estimates, but no SPCB has done that as yet. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), there are 214 authorised recyclers/dismantlers in India. In 2016-17, they treated only 0.036 million tonnes of India’s 2 million tonnes of e-waste. What adds to India’s problems is illegally imported e-waste. In this case as well, the government has no official records. According to the Hazardous and Other Wastes (Management and Trans-boundary) Rules, 2016, importing e-waste is banned in India, which endorses the Basel convention. Although in developed countries the high margins of operation in e-waste has created large waste-management and smelting companies, in India, the industry is controlled by Kabaadis (Indian term for unorganised sector trash pickers). An organised recycler in India has a barrier Alarmingly, a mere 1.5 % of India’s total e-waste gets recycled, while over 95% of e-waste generated is managed by the unregulated sector, the rest ends up in landfills.

renewablematter 27. 2018 to entry of about $10 million to $20 million, according to industry sources. Even after such investments, they struggle to compete with Kabaadis, who can be in business for as little as $1,000. Furthermore, sellers are entrenched in the mindset whereby disposing e-waste is convenient with Kabaadis picking up junk from their doorstep and paying them in cash instantly. This has allowed the unorganised sector to thrive, coupled with lack of monitoring, and loopholes in the legal framework regarding e-waste management. Moradabad in Uttar Pradesh is arguably, India’s biggest flourishing informal e-waste hub, along with Seelampur in New Delhi, and Dharavi in Mumbai. There is no uniform official data on the quantum and revenue transacted across these hubs. Despite the emergence of organised recycling and e-mining sectors, the Kabaadis are not poised to become redundant too soon. In a similar way to e-commerce websites not

forcing the complete shut-down of walk-in shops. In India most of the organised sector operators are strained by raw material scarcity, some even buy back from the Kabaadis. The unorganised sector has an operational working cost advantage as they do not pay minimum wage and use semi-skilled or unskilled labour, including an alarmingly high number of children estimated at a staggering 0.40 million. Kabaadis generally desolder PCBs by heating them, and then dip them into cyanide and other harsh chemicals to extract gold and other metals. Each of these processes can be lifethreatening. In fact, the International Labour Organisation warns that India, along with Brazil and Mexico, faces huge environmental and health damages if e-waste recycling is left to the unorganised sector. Legal Loopholes in India Many of the industry’s problems can be blamed on inadequate legislation. Currently, it is governed by the E-waste (Management and Handling) Rules of 2011. The centrepiece of these rules is the concept of extended producer responsibility (EPR), which places the primary responsibility of e-waste management on the manufacturer. As per the E-Waste Management Rules, which were updated in October 2016, manufacturers of electric and electronic equipment must facilitate their collection and return to authorised dismantlers or recyclers. On May 22nd, 2018, whilst delivering its interim order, the Delhi High Court directed the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MOEF&CC) “to devise a proper inventory of e-waste and come up with a strategy and plan for the proper management of e-waste in a time-bound manner.” The Enemy Within Even big producers and authorised recyclers in India allegedly outsource their e-waste to the informal sector to save money. Big producers are finding it difficult to collect e-waste to meet their targets because bulk consumers tend to auction their e-waste to the informal sector because it fetches them more money. Manufacturers in India routinely flout the tenets of EPR by not having enough collection centres and not reporting collection data transparently. There are even allegations that recycling companies are choosy about the waste they pick up, often cherry-picking smart phones, laptops, and tablets, which are profitable, and ignoring washing machines and refrigerators which aren’t that attractive.

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Plastics:

Recycling in Hospital Wards Interview with Susanne Backer The first pilot study for the recycling of hospital plastics has taken place in Denmark. Susanne Backer, responsible for the project undertaken at Aarhus University Hospital, tells us about the findings. by Chiara De Carli

A Project Manager with a proven track record, Susanne Backer has a professional history of specialisation in environmental services. Since 2016, she has been responsible for the Circular Economy Project at Aarhus University Hospital, in Denmark.

It is possible, through simple actions and small changes in our daily routines, to make a real difference in reducing the environmental impact of plastic. This same outcome, however, is much more difficult to achieve in certain sectors. The healthcare industry is an example of this problem, with single-use plastics constituting 85% of instruments used. This has been considered essential to ensure hygienic and sanitary standards required to guarantee safety and effectiveness. Plastic made its appearance in hospital wards in the 1970s, slowly replacing many existing instruments that were originally made of metal or glass, and which had to undergo expensive sterilisation procedures in order to be safe to use. The advent of plastic allowed for a series of benefits, including time optimisation for sanitary personnel, the reduction of costs and, most importantly, a reduction of the incidence of nosocomial infections. A truly revolutionary innovation, therefore, that greatly improved safety and working conditions in the healthcare industry, but with a big caveat: the lack of consideration for environmental consequences. Nowadays, in fact, a large majority of the plastic that enters a hospital doesn’t end up being recycled. This is because hospital waste is regulated by strict norms (such as the EU’s 2008/98/CE) which don’t allow for it to be mixed with any other refuse, given the high risk of contamination. In fact, part of the plastic that gets sent to the incinerator could instead be recovered, as it is clean and recyclable. This has been demonstrated by a pilot study that began in Denmark in 2016. Research was conducted at Aarhus University Hospital, in collaboration with the Healthcare Plastics Recycling Council (HPRC), and here

recycling was increased while new solutions for bolstering the circular economy were explored. To learn more about this we talked to Susanne Backer, Project Manager for Circular Economy at the Danish institution, which has 10,200 employees, a bed capacity of 1,150 and produces about 3,200 tonnes of waste every year. How does the Aarhus University Hospital deal with its waste and what are your objectives going forward? “In 2017, 16% of the waste produced by our hospital was recycled, while 83% was sent to be incinerated and 1% to landfill. Our objective is to recycle 50% of waste by 2024, thus reducing the amount sent to incinerators to 49%. In particular, we are trying to become more circular. The path we have to follow is very complex, because we need to develop a model with criteria that must be enforceable across the entire sector.” What were the findings of your pilot study? “We ran a small test by examining a 500 kg sample of solid waste. To do this, we asked healthcare operatives to separate plastic from all other types of waste and deposit it in separate containers. After this was put into practice, we were able to determine that 90kg were made up of clean packaging, originating from 162 different suppliers. Subsequently, the collected plastic was analysed to determine the typology of its constitutive polymers. 500kg is undoubtedly a relatively small sample, but it still allowed us to determine that clean plastic packaging makes up 18% of solid waste. Therefore, it can be estimated that 300 tonnes – out of a total of 3,200 – are plastic packaging.”

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Hospitals all around the world have to deal with the problem of recycling their plastics. Whether these are single use, double-layer or complex plastics most end up in the general waste category and are not recycled

credit: Michael Harder

Chiara de Carli is a freelance journalist who writes about health and the environment. Over the years she has collaborated with various media outlets, including Il Giorno and TeleLombardia, addressing themes such as eco-mafia and land use.

Aarhus University Hospital, www.en.auh.dk Plastics Recyclers Europe, www.plasticsrecyclers.eu

What is the most common type of packaging? “What emerged from our study is that the largest group of plastics is made up by sealed packets in which many sterilised instruments are delivered. This type of packaging is made of different polymers that make recycling more difficult. For this reason, it is critically important that we collaborate with both the procurement department and the suppliers, so that we can request specific recyclability requirements for candidates interested in making bids for procurement. Changes to plastic design – that make it more recyclable or, even better, reduce its use – will only be induced if hospitals alter their purchasing practices.” How were you able to get suppliers involved in the project? “The data collected from our analysis was uploaded to a database. After this, we compiled a list of the five most frequent suppliers. These were then invited – along with other representatives – to a meeting in which we presented our requests and objectives. We asked them to take part in a pilot scheme with the goal of finding better solutions. Together, we analysed one of the most simple items of packaging present in hospitals: bottles containing solutions for physical hydration (e.g. saline or glucose solution). Recycling these bottles presents a number of challenges: first of all, they would have to be made of a single polymer – ideally polypropylene (PP) – and the plastic used would have to be virgin. Most of these bottles, however, are made of multiple polymers and also have a label glued on, as well as a rubber membrane acting as a lid. All of this makes recycling more difficult. Our analysis followed the guidelines set out

by Plastic Recyclers Europe, a body that was founded in 1996 to promote plastic recycling in the European Union. We also adapted these criteria (see box) into minimum entry requirements to participate in a recent invitation to tender for the supply of bottles for hydration solutions to all Danish hospitals. None of the participants achieved the minimum required recyclability score of 50%, which only constituted 5% of the overall evaluation. Nonetheless, because the competition was so fierce, the points gained in the recyclability category were crucial in determining the choice of supplier.” What are the best strategies for reducing packaging? “The most efficient method is to reduce weight and volume: it would unquestionably save on costs and resources. Cutting down on packaging also reduces the workload of hospital staff, freeing up precious time that can be spent with patients. A second strategy consists of using recyclable plastics wherever possible, such as in the second and third layers of plastic packaging (the first layer needs to be new plastic in order for the high safety standards to be met, editor’s note). The final possibility is recycling. If something can’t be reduced or reused, it may be recycled, but to make this possible we have to establish criteria for procurement. The recyclable polymers are PE, PET and PP, and it is essential that our suppliers mark the plastic with the international recycling symbol, as well as reducing the use of mixed materials as much as possible. Even the combination of paper and plastic makes things a lot more complicated. Unfortunately, we are still at the beginning. We need time, at least ten years.”

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A Pilot Scheme: Infusion Bottles •• 95% of the total product must be made of a single constitutive polymer. •• The lid must be made of HDPE, LDPE or PP. Any coating, seal or valve must be made of HDPE, LDPE, PP or PE+EVA. •• The tamper ring must be made of PP, PE, EPS or OPP and have a density of less than 1 g/cm3. •• The label must be made of PP, HDPE or LDPE. The glue must be soluble in water at less than 80OC. The label must be laserprinted with non-toxic ink, following EUPIA guidelines.

credit: Michael Harder

On the basis of the Plastics Recyclers Europe guidelines, Aarhus University Hospital has defined some minimal necessary requirements to take part in invitations to tender for the supply of bottles for physical hydration to all Danish hospitals. •• The bottles must have clear markings indicating how to recycle the constitutive polymers, by using the 7 international recycling symbols. The preferred markings are ones conforming to Recommendation CEN WI 261 070, but ones that follow the European Commission’s 97/129/CE decision are also deemed acceptable.

Above: A AUH nurse as she puts on sterile gloves contained in double layer packaging, the most common type of plastic analysed

credit: Michael Harder

Left: The study shows that one of the wards that uses the most plastic is the operating room

What difficulties have you been encountering? “The problem with medical plastic is that the finished products have to be made according to specific procedures, and adhere to very high standards. This means that at least three years are needed in order for any design change to be approved. Time and constant dialogue are necessary to achieve results. Furthermore, suppliers of medical and sanitary products distribute on a global scale: this means that the changes they make must be relevant to the entire global market.” How have waste collection companies responded?

“We have also been collaborating with waste management companies, and devoted time to ensuring they understand that the plastics coming from hospitals are safe. Otherwise, it is often the case that these companies are wary of hospital waste because they believe that it contains contaminated items.” Do you have any contact with hospitals in other European countries? “We have been communicating with some clinics across northern Europe, in Norway, Finland, Sweden, the UK, the Netherlands and Belgium. Unfortunately, we have yet to expand our reach to other European nations.”

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There’s Good in CO2 (If You Know How to Find It) Interview with Fabrizio Pirri by Giorgia Marino

It’s not enough to simply reduce carbon emissions: the Centre for Sustainable Future Technologies in Turin is studying how to capture, recover and valorise CO2 . Fabrizio Pirri, a solid-state physicist, is the director of the Centre for Sustainable Future Technologies in Turin.

Centre for Sustainable Future Technologies, www.iit.it/centers/csftpolito

The area of Turin known as “Innovation Mile”, between the Po and Dora Riparia rivers, is home to a large number of innovative companies and technological institutes. The newest addition, joining the likes of the Politecnico, the Boella Institute and the Officine Grandi Riparazioni, is the Centre for Sustainable Future Technologies (CSFT), a branch of the Italian Institute of Technology. It was inaugurated in October in the Environment Park green-business hub, occupying a 1,000m2 lab space modelled on the most advanced, state-of-the-art research facilities on an international level. Desks and workstations face each other, favouring interaction and collaboration to maximise interdisciplinary approaches and synergy among different skillsets. All of this is in pursuit of a shared macro-objective: the sustainability of the future’s economic models. A sustainability that necessarily entails the reduction of carbon emissions, but must also focus on capturing, recovering and valorising CO2. This will be essential for as long as human activity is based primarily around the process of combustion, a timeframe which the International Energy

Agency’s World Energy Outlook report predicts will extend far into the future. We spoke about this with Fabrizio Pirri, solid-state physicist and director of the new Turin based branch of the Italian Institute of Technology. How was the Centre for Sustainable Future Technologies born? “In 2015, the Italian Institute of Technology (IIT), based in Genoa, was restructuring its scientific plan, which happens every five years. The restructure allows it to redirect efforts and update research projects on the basis of the most recent scientific developments that have emerged on the global stage. Because Turin is at the cutting edge in the fields of green chemistry and circular economy, I proposed to redirect the existing centre to address these themes. At the same time, the Environment Park offered us spaces to develop new laboratories that were better suited to our needs. Thus, together with Guido Saracco, who is now the Dean of the Politecnico di Torino, we designed the spaces and recruited researchers (27 in total, with the addition of 18 doctoral students as well as collaborations with researchers affiliated with the Politecnico).” What research areas are you focusing on? “The theme of sustainability has been divided into three strands: reduction of anthropogenic CO2; resource and energy efficiency; and the circular economy, which sees CO2 as industrial waste that can be reconverted into a usable raw material. To reach these objectives, our researchers are working on the development of nano-structured materials on the one hand, and on the other they are studying processes for the recovery and

World transformation of CO2 into fuels (such as methane) or polymeric materials, preferably biodegradable ones. In terms of inorganic nano-structured materials, we are researching types that are adapted for the catalysis of CO2 and its ‘capture’ when it is expelled during industrial processes.” Can you give us some examples of the materials in question? Furthermore, how can this process be made more efficient? “Various metallic oxides are being tested, such as

Giorgia Marino – freelance journalist web/social editor – writes about culture, innovation and environment. She was the director of Greenews.info and now writes for various magazines, including La Stampa.

World Energy Outlook, www.iea.org/weo

copper, tin or zinc oxides. To trigger the reaction with CO2 a certain amount of energy is required, ideally generated from renewable sources, such as solar energy. The goal of the research and of the tests that have been performed is to obtain reagents that require as little energy as possible to generate a positive result. Therefore, on one side we are trying to diminish the energy needed to set off the catalysis, and on the other to optimise the area impacted by the reaction, so as to reduce material waste. We are also testing the lifespan of the oxides being used, which, in any case, once they are no longer useful as catalysts, can be repurposed without an environmental impact.” There is also the question of energy storage, which is crucial in terms of the future of clean energy sources. Your research into inorganic materials also focuses on this theme… “Exactly. Batteries in use today are made with rare materials that are also pollutants, such as lithium. If, for example, we were to drive towards an exponential growth in the use of electric vehicles, this type of battery wouldn’t make sense from the point of view of sustainability. Therefore, our

objective is to develop less expensive and less polluting materials that could provide an alternative to today’s batteries. They are the so-called supercapacitors, and they are often carbon-based, such as graphene.” In a second lab, which is still under construction, you will focus on synthetic biology… “Yes, and it will still be within the remit of CO2 valorisation processes: we will be synthesising bacteria analogous to those which, in the primordial era of life, produced the earth’s atmosphere. That is, they were able to digest carbon dioxide and create methane and other polymers. The practical result will be the production of plants where flows of CO2 will be processed to create valuable raw materials that can be reintroduced into the productive cycle.” What does the ReCode project, which you are working on with the support of the EU, entail? “The focus of the project is to recover CO2 released during the production of cement, and to transform it into additives that improve the performance of the cement itself. The initial assumption is a basic one: a significant proportion of solid materials is made of carbonates (derived from carbonic acid). The project’s aim is to capture carbon dioxide before it enters the atmosphere, and to use it to synthesise carbonates that will be added to the cement. Cement plants are among the largest producers of CO2 in the industrial sector. Therefore, taking this starting point also has a symbolic value. For the time being, the project is in its testing phases in the labs of Turin, but we are already working on the installation of a pilot system at the Titan cement plant, in Athens, which will allow us to verify the effectiveness of the process and will be the first step in the upcoming industrialisation. The reactor will be right beside the main plant, so that emitted CO2 can be immediately turned into carbonate and re-used on location by the same cement plant, in a zero-km system. Ideally, a reactor of this type could be used not only for cement plants, but for any industrial process.” Fatih Birol, Executive Director of the International Energy Agency, commented in the latest World Energy Outlook report, that renewable energy on its own is not enough to reach climate objectives: we have to become more efficient in the “capture, stockpiling and use of carbon.” What do you think about this? “I can’t help but agree. The largest portion of emissions caused by industrial processes cannot be simply stopped. The only possibility, therefore, is to block the release into the atmosphere of CO2 that is generated by industrial processes. The optimal solution at this moment in time is to find a balanced combination of sources that can satisfy the world’s energy requirements. And to learn to recover, recycle and valorise the by-products of combustion, that will continue to exist.”

Fighting Single-Use Plastics

Big Brands Recruit Small Innovators in the Battle Against Single-Use Plastics. by Carol J. Clouse

Carol J. Clouse is a Brooklyn-based freelance journalist specialising in the green economy, social entrepreneurship and sustainable investment. Her work has appeared in The Guardian, HuffPost, Barron’s, The Wall Street Journal, ImpactAlpha and Financial Advisor, among others.

Danimer Scientific, a biotechnology manufacturer that employs 101 people in sleepy Bainbridge, Georgia, may seem an unlikely partner for a Swiss multinational that happens to be the world’s largest food company, but Danimer recently became just that. In January, Nestlé officially enlisted the small producer of biodegradable and compostable polymers to develop a bottle made of something other than petroleumbased plastic. The corporate giant, which has a market capitalisation of more than $283 billion, sells bottled water all over the world, including the Poland Springs and Zephyrhills brands in the United States. And the plastic bottles it comes in have

become an environmental scourge and a public relations problem. Nestlé is one of two dozen giant consumer brands gearing up for a full-scale war on single-use plastics. The most recognisable names in food and beverage, home and health care, and beauty and personal care have set the ambitious goal of 100 percent recyclable, reusable and compostable packaging by 2025. But while multinational conglomerates can and do develop new technologies in-house, it’s not typically part of their core business, and the bureaucracy inherent in these complex companies can slow the R&D process. For this reason, some of these behemoths are turning to entrepreneurs and innovators offering

World alternative materials, advanced recycling technologies and closed-loop reusable packaging for help.

Matthew Gollop/Pixabay

Danimer is retrofitting a former algae fermentation facility in Kentucky and plans to be ready for commercial shipments of home compostable items such as straws for other clients by the end of this year. The company hopes to have Pepsi’s next generation homecompostable chip bagon the market by 2021. Global brands have the market influence and sheer scale to literally transform consumption — Coca-Cola, for example, has nearly 50 percent of the global carbonated beverage market. And the stakes for these companies are high. They’ve faced pressure from environmental groups to reduce their dependence on disposable plastic packaging for some time, but as government bans on bags, straws and other single-use items increase, and public awareness skyrockets, big consumer products companies are fast becoming the recognisable face of the ocean plastics crisis. In the fall of 2018, the Break Free From Plastic movement sifted through nearly 200,000 pieces of plastic trash collected on the shores of 42 countries. It found that the largest amount of brand-named garbage came from the following 10 companies: Coca-Cola; PepsiCo; Nestlé; Danone; Mondelēz International; Procter & Gamble; Unilever; Perfetti van Melle; Mars; and ColgatePalmolive. That’s not a top-10 list any business aspires to. “It feels like we’re at a watershed moment when it comes to the plastics crisis,” said Graham Forbes, a global project leader at Greenpeace, one of the organisations that make up the Break Free movement. “For the last 30 or 40 years, the big brands have been pushing the narrative that if they make their products recyclable, then the consumer can go ahead and clean up their mess. Given the increase in public awareness, companies, especially the big brands, are starting to change their tune around that.” Perhaps we’ve reached the point where they have no choice. Developing countries already

EKM-Mittelsachsen/Pixabay

“Smaller companies can be more agile and hopefully accelerate the pace at which the technology becomes a product a multinational can use,” said Mike Otworth, CEO of Innventure, which specialises in identifying and commercialising disruptive tech. Innventure’s portfolio companies include PureCycle Technologies, an advanced plastic recycling startup led by Otworth and, as of March, also a Nestlé partner.

lacked recycling infrastructure, then in January 2018 China stopped accepting plastic garbage from developed nations and sent the whole recycling industry into a tailspin. Yet, human beings continue to produce nearly 300 million tonnes of plastic every year, half of it for single use, according to the non-profit Plastic Oceans International. More than 8 million tonnes of that ends up in the ocean each year. Dialling for Disruption The plastic-free universe has been expanding for some time, adding startups and new products at a rapid pace. For example, the number of certified compostable products in the United States has risen 80 percent over the past 3.5 years to 9,000, according to the Biodegradable Products Institute, a certification body. Up until now, however, companies offering alternatives to single-use plastics primarily served niche markets such as eco-friendly consumer brands and environmentally conscious restaurants, coffee houses and stores. By definition, big brands entering the market changes that. Could the backing of these powerful new partners eventually transform some of these niche players into bona fide disrupters? “The number of people we’re working with and talking to has grown tremendously just in the last two or three years,” said Richard Ivey, Danimer’s marketing manager, adding that beyond the multinational consumer brands, the company is also hearing from online retailers and grocery stores, as well as startups developing their own products. “We’re getting five or six inquiries pretty much every day.

Break Free from Plastic, www.breakfree fromplastic.org Plastic Oceans International, https://plasticoceans.org TerraCycle, www.terracycle.com/ en-US

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Hans Braxmeier/Pixabay

Ellen MacArthur Foundation, New Plastic Economy Global Commitment; www.ellenmacarthur foundation.org/news/ spring-2019-report

Three years ago, we were probably averaging one or two.” The company’s anticipated growth enticed Advantage Capital to make a $6.5 million investment that will help Danimer boost capacity and “significantly increase” its workforce at its Bainbridge location over the next few years, although the company won’t pinpoint the number of jobs it expects to create there. The development, testing and approval process for the new water bottle likely will take years, Ivey said. PureCycle will be recycling the type of plastic found in bottle caps for Nestlé, using a technology developed in a lab at Procter & Gamble. John Layman, a macromolecular engineer at P&G who also serves as chief technology officer at PureCycle, invented a purification system that separates colour, odour and any other contaminants from polypropylene plastic waste, transforming it into a material clean enough to put on bottles people drink from. If scaled to the larger market, this technology, which PureCycle’s parent Innventure licenses from P&G, could sharply increase the recycling rate of polypropylene, which is used not only in food and beverage packaging but also electronics, car interiors and many other products. Because traditional recycling methods leave this type of plastic ugly and smelly, less than 1 percent is recycled in the U.S., compared to 20 percent of plastic bottles, which are made with the clearpolyethylene terephthalate or PET. PureCycle aims to have its first commercialscale plant up and running in Southern Ohio in early 2021. The first phase of the operation will begin later this year. P&G and Nestlé are also both founding

investors in TerraCycle’s Loop project, launched in January at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. Loop will use a “milkman” model, where products are delivered in high-quality packaging that can be returned and refilled again and again. Other Loop participants include Pepsi, Unilever, Mars, Clorox, Coca-Cola, Mondelēz, Danone and a dozen or so smaller brands. New Jersey’s TerraCycle plans to pilot Loop in Paris, New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania starting in May. Beauty and the Shower-Safe Paper Bottle Buyers of L’Oréal’s new Seed Phytonutrients brand are already pumping shampoo out of a water-resistant paper bottle. The brainchild of L’Oréal executive Shane Wolf, the natural hair and skin care brand launched a year ago. Seed is funded by the French conglomerate — the world’s largest cosmetics company with $30.1 billion in sales in 2018 — although it operates as a separate entity, based in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, the farming community where Wolf lives, and where local farmers provide the brand’s organic ingredients. The shower-safe bottle is produced by a little sustainable packaging company called Ecologic, founded by entrepreneur Julie Corbett in Manteca, California, in 2008. Before Seed, Ecologic successfully supplied Seventh Generation and some other smaller brands, but recently experienced a colossal failure with a paper wine bottle. When Wolf approached her, Corbett says, her team was working on a redesign of the bottle, but it wasn’t ready, and the team wasn’t taking on new clients. “We had almost gone bankrupt, and I had

World some serious PTSD,” she said. “So when Shane came knocking, I initially said no. I didn’t want another failure.” Wolf, it turns out, would not take no for an answer, and together they designed a twopiece interlocking bottle, eliminating the glue of the previous design and making it entirely compostable. The bottle is made from recycled material that comes from the boxes found at L’Oréal’s distribution centres. Inside, there’s a very thin plastic lining, also made of postconsumer material, that holds the liquid soap, shampoo or conditioner. The first version of the bottle contained 60 percent less plastic than a standard shampoo bottle. “I gave my team one year to get it down to 70 percent, and they beat that by six months,” Wolf said. “And we will not stop until we find a way to eradicate the plastic entirely.”

We will not stop until we find a way to eradicate the plastic entirely.

They also plan to scale, both within L’Oréal and beyond. Wolf, who manages the Redken, Pureology and Mizani brands in L’Oréal’s professional hair division, said the company will begin converting other brands to the Seed bottle design next year, starting with one of the three he manages. Likewise, Corbett is busy working to sign additional customers for the bottle. L’Oréal isn’t the only cosmetics maker moving into sustainable packaging. In December, French luxury fashion and beauty company Chanel announced an investment in the Finnish startup Sulapac. Co-founded by two biochemists, Suvi Haimi and Laura Kyllönen, Sulapac produces packaging from a trademarked biodegradable material made from wood chips and natural binders. Take a Vacation From Plastic Other industries as well are eliminating singleuse plastics. In the first quarter of 2019, Regent Seven Seas Cruises and Oceana Cruises became the first cruise lines to announce the end of plastic water bottles on all of their ships. They will replace them with reusable glass bottles and water filtered through a system designed by Miami-based Vero Water. Vero Water launched in 2011, offering highend restaurants filtered water at a cost lower than shipping in supplies of bottled water. The business quickly expanded to hotels and resorts, and it recently has found that the environmental factor has become a primary motivator in purchases, especially for beach properties. “They see that, if you run a hotel or resort on a pristine beach in the Caribbean, floating piles of trash washing ashore is going to be a detriment to your business,” said David Deshe, founder and president of Vero Water. Analyses of past bottled water purchases

done by Vero show that several resorts have eliminated between 300,000 and 500,000 bottles per year from their waste stream by switching to its service, Deshe said. Vero’s clients include Hyatt, Marriott and other global operators. The company is working with Spain’s Iberostar Group to completely eliminate plastic water bottles at their properties by the end of this year. “Within restaurants and hospitality, bottled water’s days are numbered,” Deshe said. A Really Tall Order The road to eliminating disposable plastic for the names on the not-so-illustrious top 10 polluter list will be much longer and far more difficult. Plastic is deeply entrenched in society and in business plans. One million plastic bottles are bought every minute – or about 20,000 per second – around the globe, according to consumer market researcher Euromonitor International. Even with the best intentions, meeting the 2025 goal will prove an enormous challenge. “We’re excited to be working with such motivated people,” Danimer’s Ivey said. “We certainly hope they can do it. But it’s a really tall order, that’s for sure.” Danimer has spent a number of years working with Pepsi on a compostable chip bag, and the company just rolled out an “industrial compostable” version for its Artesanas chip brand in Chile. This type of packaging needs a collection programme that delivers the waste to an industrial composter, which provides the high heat and moisture needed for the material to break down. For the Pepsi bag to actually become compost, consumers in Chile have to dispose of it in special bins that can be found only in certain Walmart stores there. Critics say that inadequate labelling and a lack of infrastructure mean a lot of compostable packaging ends up in regular trash bins. “The infrastructure to handle these materials has to be in place to completely solve the problem,” Ivey acknowledged. “That’s going to take buy-in from everybody, from the brands to consumers to governments.” As of March 13, more than 350 companies, governments and other organisations had signed on to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s New Plastics Economy Global Commitment to eliminate single-use plastics by 2025.

A Sustainable and Circular Ice Cream Three years on, Sammontana, Italy’s leading ice cream manufacturer, has renewed its voluntary agreement with the Ministry of Environment so as to reduce the environmental impact of its operations and take a step towards circularity. by Ilaria Nicoletta Brambilla

Sammontana is Italy’s number one ice cream producer and a leader in the frozen patisserie sector, with four production plants and a turnover exceeding €380 million (2018 data). In 2016, it became the first company in the sector to sign a voluntary agreement with the Ministry of Environment, Land and Sea aimed at adopting an integrated environmental management approach. The commitment started by analysing the life cycle assessment (LCA) carbon footprint of its most iconic product, Barattolino (meaning small tub in Italian, editor’s note), in collaboration with Padova’s University CURA (Applied Research University Consortium), and then continued with the

Fruttiamo sorbets and dairy-free Amando products. The agreement has recently been renewed and broadened to include not only carbon footprint offsetting and the reduction of the company’s environmental impact, but also the development of a circular economy model aimed at improving Sammontana’s circularity. In order to evaluate the carbon footprint of the Barattolino Sammontana line following a LCA, different processes were taken into consideration such as: raw material production and pre-treatment (amounting to 48.75%); the production of packaging components (14.1%); production of examined food items – with internal processes and taking into consideration input and output of matter and energy in the analysed system – and distribution of end products with the disposal of waste generated by product unpacking (13.28% and 14.43% respectively); energy consumption at commercial selling points; as well as product use life and end of life phases (9.44% in total). Strategies were then devised to reduce emissions for each of these components of the life cycle. This led, among other things, to the installation of a co-generator in the

World reduction of the environmental footprint of its activities through more circularity, CURA Consortium built a model that could be adapted to Sammontana’s needs, starting from that designed by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation for the technological cycle and focussing on the biological aspects for the edible fraction. The results thus obtained were also analysed bearing in mind what emerged from the company’s LCA. This integrated model led to a companywide circularity index of over 80% for the technological cycle and 50% for the biological cycle. It also led to the identification of possible areas where progressive improvement can be implemented with the objective of keeping the technological cycle in line with future EU directives regarding circular packaging.

“Barattolino Scuola Missione Green – Un Sogno per Domani” (Green Tub Mission for Schools – A Dream for Tomorrow), https:// missionegreen. sammontana.it/ progettoscuola

Empoli plant, improvement of the distribution phase by upgrading the vehicle fleet, the development of new recipes contemplating replacing cow’s milk with almond milk (the Amando Line led to an average 27% reduction of potential impacts on climate change compared to standard products), the introduction of refrigerated counters using less energy and manufactured adopting eco-design principles, as well as lightening and replacement of packaging (now 99.5% recyclable). Of particular importance was the involvement of actors along the entire supply chain through the distribution of a sustainability questionnaire to raw material and packaging suppliers, with whom Sammontana is cooperating so as to reduce environmental impacts across the entire supply chain. Data suggest that in 2018 the Barattolino line generated a 1.9% reduction of its CO2eq impact compared to 2017, and a 5.3% reduction compared to 2015. What cannot be avoided must be offset. The Sammontana Programme also entails buying and collecting verified carbon credits for each tonne of CO2eq associated with Barattolino and Fruttiamo product lines, totalling 21,975 tonnes of CO2eq in 2018 alone. Sammontana has also invested in two emission offsetting projects: building and managing a wind farm in Rajasthan (India), and the Guanaré Forest Plantations Project for the reforestation of a 21,291-hectare area in Uruguay. To allow Sammontana to have operational guidelines for the

Last but not least, Sammontana also focused its strong commitment on environmental education and awareness. Firstly, by creating environmental working groups and training its employees in circularity principles and the reduction of waste. Secondly, by launching in 2017 the “Barattolino Scuola Missione Green – Un Sogno per Domani” Project (Green Tub Mission for Schools – A Dream for Tomorrow) to promote greener lifestyles and consumption habits in the primary schools and homes of children all over Italy, and financially supporting the best sustainability projects designed by children.

Ecological Beauty by Elisa Poggiali

Elisa Poggiali, engineer and member of the 100esperte.it database in the STEM sectors. She specialises in renewable energies, the circular economy, innovation, communication for sustainability, management systems and certifications.

Biomimicry and the circular bioeconomy are the two lines along which cosmetic innovation is moving fast. Globally and in Italy – which has accounted for a considerable share (60%) of the global cosmetics market for quite some time – sector research and development are aimed at singling out the best ingredients and extracts, also ones derived from production waste, in order to guarantee top effectiveness and tolerability as well as the lowest possible production costs and impacts. But all this is not enough to consider a cosmetic product as having a low environmental impact: true process and product sustainability is achieved only after the entire life cycle is assessed, pinpointing weaknesses and viable solutions. Susanne Kaufmann – founder of the Austrian skin care brand carrying her name – explains

Eco-beauty: from organic to biomimicry while recovering quality materials from waste, and there is more to come. that we must deal with the provenance of ingredients, checking how they are farmed, processed and even what happens after we rinse them from our skin. Also, packaging must be analysed too – suppliers, materials (recycled, recyclable, recoverable, compostable), and transport – which alone accounts for 10 to 40% of the impact of every single product category. It is about trends following consumer interests, as they are increasingly aware and careful in choosing effective, safe, environmentally-friendly products that are also tolerated by our body. From Organic to Biomimetic Cosmetics Today, R&D in cosmetics is moving towards new formulations – well beyond organic – with useful ingredients, recognised and compatible with our body. Substances biomimicking our body. They are mainly natural or lab produced peptides, replicating/mimicking

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totally mimicking our skin system guarantee an ‘instant recognition’ effect, optimum conveyance of active substances, rapid absorption and very high tolerability.” Furthermore, she points out that “another important advantage is the possibility of using only one product for all face parts, including the under-eye area.”

the actions of the body’s natural proteins, while activating certain metabolic pathways. This makes them both effective and well tolerated.

100esperte, https://100esperte.it

French brand Etat was the first to introduce over 40 so-called biomimetic cosmetic products – moisturising or cleansing, brightening and anti-aging – produced by Dipta, the research and production centre of brands such as Bioderma and Institut Esthederm. According to their website, 98% of Etat Pur product compositions are identical to skin, with which they are able to blend without losing their effectiveness. Ybiok is instead a biomimetic brand created by 3B Italia, a Verona-based company, founded and directed by CEO Elisabetta Celino who explains that, “it is a small revolution: formulations

Biomimetic products do not always come with an organic certification, neither are they all natural (organic or inorganic with no chemical transformations), nor of natural origin (with lab transformations), because not everything derived from nature is automatically synonymous with absolute tolerance, safety or effectiveness. Furthermore, the use of natural components rather than chemical ones does not guarantee sustainability; such as with regards to water consumption necessary for extraction or for environmental persistence at the end of its lifecycle. This is also why life cycle analysis becomes crucial for a thorough and objective assessment. The use of oil-derived, allergenic or even very low toxic substances is not allowed, in products defined as “perfectly compatible” with our body parts. Cosmetic Circular Bioeconomy: Precious Resources from Plant Waste The cosmetic industry is also researching active substances – antioxidant, moisturising, anti inflammatory, nutritious, polishing, whitening or essential oils – present in waste from farming

and the agribusiness sectors. In several cases, waste has an even higher concentration and availability of active principles compared to non-waste. We are talking about considerable amounts with very high management costs and impacts; cosmetics offer a promising sector because they are a source of quality at a very low cost. According to Gruppo Ricicla Di.Pro.Ve (Department of Plant Production, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences) of the University of Milan, in Italy 12 million tonnes of waste are produced from the agribusiness sector every year, of which 9 million are represented by the organic fraction. The extraction of biomolecules and active principles from such waste, together with the ensuing bioenergy production of fertilizers, could lead (at least on paper) to total recovery of such materials. In some processes, waste after extraction is actually limited and the amount to be disposed of is minimal.

Arterra Bioscience is a Naples-based biotech company that has produced active principles to be used for cosmetics for years. Such substances are derived from pomace, vegetable water from olive pressing and tomato skins. The company has created a joint venture – Vitalab – with Intercos, a world giant in thirdparty make up and skin care manufacturing. Both through their own products and direct selling to brands by Vitalab, the company’s brand is present both in top-end lines such as La Prairie, Chanel, Chantecaille, Eisenberg, Estée Lauder and intermediate ranges such as Douglas, Kiko and others. “We have five active principles on the market deriving from waste from the agribusiness sector, each with a different chemical composition that underwent different extraction procedures – explains Gabriella Colucci, founder and CEO of Arterra Bioscience and Vitalab – if one is an excellent moisturiser, another has an anti-wrinkle function thanks to its action on the production of collagen, elastin and other components of the dermis matrix.” Waste is generally characterised by a high concentration of certain bioactive molecules, it is more cost-effective and far more bio-sustainable compared to non-waste sources. For instance, vegetation water from olive pressing has a very high concentration of polyphenols – very strong antioxidants, more powerful than those contained in olive oil for food or cosmetics. “Waste – points out Gabriella Colucci – can come from both agriculture and the agribusiness sectors, but the cosmetic industry is not a big fan of chemistry, so pharmaceutical waste or waste from other industrial sectors is hardly utilised.” In 2017, and hence with more recent experience, Dermosfera – an Italian company operating in the professional beauty sector – started collaborating with Rhea cosmetics, a University of Bologna spin off, using food waste such as tomato and rocket salad extracts. “Such byproducts – explains the creator and manager for research and development of the Rhea brand, Gianmarco Alfonso – are recovered from leftovers and surplus of the Bologna neighbourhood market, with a local sourcing approach, where producers are small local businesses growing their food according to a certified organic model or at least with a nonintensive approach.” Rhea set up an ultrasoundbased extraction process with molecular vibration rather than a chemical solvent-based approach. “With such special processes – adds Gianmarco Alfonso – 100% agricultural materials are reused, thus guaranteeing no waste whatsoever.” The list of usable waste in cosmetics for the special properties of extractable active principles is constantly evolving and also includes citrus peels, rich in essential oils, and waste from refining processes of rice,

World sunflower or dried fruit oils – all of which with a very high content of antioxidants. Waste from rice oil refining (rice bran oil) has already been used since 2004 by Venice Cosmetica, a cosmetic lab founded in 1976. “A number of studies – states Roberta Destro, a company partner – confirm the importance of rice oil as a cosmetic base: gamma oryzanol contained in it is a natural sun filter which should always be used in anti-aging day creams to fight free radicals. Furthermore, Venice Cosmetica products contain maize and sunflower extracts and hyaluronic acid.” Eco Cosmetics

The Italian government has taken action and passed a few laws, in line with other European countries and the United States, banning the use of microplastics in cosmetic products by 2020.

When dealing with sustainability, as Elisabetta Celino from Ybiok points out, “there is a tendency to offer consumers not only skinfriendly and effective products: corporations need to present a production philosophy consistent with the product message.” Umberto Borellini, a pharmacologist, cosmetologist and professor at various universities, including the University of Pavia and Tor Vergata in Rome, shares the same opinion: “I started using waste from fishing 30 years ago in order to obtain chitosans extracted from crustacean shells; if substances from waste can produce equally effective products, both consumers and producers are equally happy, but this is not enough. In the cosmetic industry even more ambitious applications must be found: supporting ethical productions from developing countries, 100% compostable packaging and above all banning microplastics in cosmetics.” In line with Susanne Kaufmann, Borellini also devotes his attention to following a product’s entire life cycle. What we use and rinse off is not always biodegradable (within a short time) and in strong concentrations can be harmful, especially for water ecosystems. In this respect,

the worst products are filters and parabens in sun blocks and microplastics contained in exfoliants and tooth pastes. With regards to the latter, though, the Italian government has taken action and passed some laws, in line with other European countries and the United States, banning the use of microplastics in cosmetic products by 2020. Solutions are actually already available: bioplastics derived from plant waste that can be used in creams and scrubs with exactly the same function and effectiveness as non-plant based microplastics. “Other viable alternatives to scrubs are zeolite, crushed hazelnut shells and glucomannan from food fibre,” points out Borellini. Application of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) to the cosmetic industry is nowadays the most effective way to evaluate and compare all such aspects and solutions, thus obtaining a good product at the lowest possible cost and impact. Unifarco was the first cosmetic company to get EPD (Environmental Product Declaration) following a LCA in accordance with predetermined product category rules. The assessment took into consideration all aspects and environmental consequences of every phase of the products life cycle: from procurement of raw materials to recoverable ones, suppliers, consumption, production and transport impacts, to packaging and waste management right up to release – during product use – into the environment, with a clear and final report. Only in this way will we have an environmentallyfriendly, or green if you prefer, cosmetic industry that will research products starting from the ingredients, just as with biomimicry or waste reuse, in order to guarantee greater effectiveness and tolerability of ingredients and lower costs but also, thanks to LCAs, lower impacts across the board.

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RETRACE Project by Silvia Barbero and Amina Pereno Silvia Barbero is associate professor at the Polytechnic University of Turin. She teaches two courses, Product Environmental Requirements and Systems Design and coordinates European and national projects on the systemic approach and the circular economy. Amina Pereno is a research fellow at the Polytechnic University of Turin where she is also a researcher in Systems Design applied to industrial systems, with a focus on health issues. She co-teaches Product Environmental Requirements.

A Systemic Vision for Circular Policies The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development regards the circular economy as the economic model to aim for in order to guarantee our system’s sustainability. The urgency of a collective effort to implement this paradigm shift has been acknowledged globally. However, the steps needed to start a process of tangible change must meet specific local needs. “The transition towards a new economic model integrating all pillars of environmental sustainability should be the heart of the matter. All levels (global, European, national, regional, local and municipal) and all stakeholders (including public and private players, the financial sector, civil society and academia) should actively take part in the system shift.” These were the words uttered during RETRACE project’s first international event (A Systemic Approach for Regions Transitioning towards a Circular Economy), by Janez Potočnik – former European Commissioner and current International Resource Panel’s Co-Chair – highlighting the need for multilevel government action with regards to the circular economy. The rationale behind the Interreg Europe Programme (in which RETRACE is involved) is to build innovative local and regional policies through an objective European debate, marrying both an EU vision and a local approach with reference to the circular economy. Beginning in 2016, RETRACE is a four-year Interreg Europe project coordinated by the Polytechnic University of Turin. Scientific partners and regional administrations of 5 European countries are among those involved: Italy (Piedmont), Spain (Basque Country), France (New Aquitaine), Romania (North-East Region) and Slovenia. The target is to experiment the methodology of systemic design so as to analyse

areas involved, whilst contributing to change in the political strategies of partner regions towards a new circular economy. The project, therefore, acts at interregional and inter sector level, to promote a change of course in terms of policy. Although the scope may seem macroscopic, RETRACE aims at removing bureaucratic, regulatory and cultural obstacles which innovators must tackle as and when implementing circular solutions on a local level. Planning is the project’s true innovative element. Despite the fact that we are used to associating design with the creation of products, services or use experiences; design tools, together with systems thinking, actually allow us to face complex issues effectively in terms of scale and socio-technological complexity. So, within the RETRACE project, systems design meets policy making to create one system with local potential and good practices, thus allowing regions to acquire knowledge and tools to enhance their potential. The starting point is a “holistic survey”, an in-depth analysis of existing systems mapping strengths and weaknesses the new system will build upon. In this particular instance the survey of the areas involved analysed the geographical, demographic, economic, cultural and urban data of given regions and then considered the main local economic-productive sectors. The analysis of input and output material and energy flows is another major element to start building productive connections amongst various sectors. Overall, the holistic survey helps define local potential, but above all the policy gap hindering the development of circular processes. Once peculiarities and gaps for each area are defined, movement towards adopting new policies will occur; taking into consideration those areas that managed to overcome regulatory barriers while enhancing local resources in a

Screenshots from: RETRACE project Interreg Europe – Youtube

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RETRACE Project, www.interregeurope.eu/ retrace RETRACE Project’s method, good practices and results are described in a series of 3 books, downloadable for free. Systemic Design Method Guide for Policymaking: A Circular Europe on the Way, www.ilgiornaledellarte. com/allegati/ FILE20180417190546704 Good Practices Guide: Systemic Approaches for a Circular Economy, www.ilgiornaledellarte. com/allegati/ FILE20181005190857132 Policy Road Map. A Systemic Approach For Circular Regions, www.ilgiornaledellarte. com/allegati/ FILE20181005190949883

circular approach. This is why partners and stakeholders took part in seven field trips in the regions involved, as well as Holland and Scotland that are currently driving the innovative force towards a circular economy. The 30 best European good practices have been analysed in order to understand how such virtuous cases may be incentivised and replicated through ad-hoc political strategies. Lastly, for each region involved, a regional Action Plan – defined by Interreg Europe as “a document providing details on implementation modalities of lessons learnt from the cooperation experience to improve regional political instruments” – has been set up. It describes “actions to be taken, deadlines, players, costs and possible sponsors.” Basically, it is an agreed plan signed by regional authorities where several political measures have been highlighted, which, in practice and in the short term, aim to boost experimentation and implementation of business and industrial research activities on the circular economy. For this reason, all regional Action Plans act on the ERDF – European Regional Development Funds – a tool created to reinforce the cohesion among European regions investing in research and innovation in sectors of excellence in each region. Currently, ERDF provides for the allocation of part of funds to projects moving towards a low-carbon economy. Introducing new policies aimed at the circular economy and management of this important tool is a key step. The concept of circularity, at a political level, means acting on the current vertical vision of the innovation sector to foster wide collaborations, going beyond the industrial sector while tackling different issues simultaneously. Even if the collaboration within the RETRACE project highlights the presence of gaps common to the 5 partner regions, the uniqueness of

each Regional Action Plan is a crucial aspect because each region follows their individual path towards circularity. In fact, Smart Specialisation Strategies are policy tools created from this uniqueness aspect, with the aim to improve the efficacy of public policies on research and innovation, making EU, national and regional investment cohesive with the innovation potential of each region. Action Plans developed within RETRACE integrate with partner regions’ Smart Specialisation Strategies to promote actions for the most innovative and competitive sectors in each region. Thus, it is possible to direct existing tools towards circular innovation, acting not only on a regional but also a national and EU level. Even though Action plans are now being implemented, the project does not finish with their development: it aims at implementing and monitoring actions to understand if, and how, they can positively influence the transition towards a circular economy. As in any planning journey, the implemented solution is never the finishing line, but rather an intermediate stage open to new research and planning directions towards smart, sustainable and circular innovation.

renewablematter 27. 2018

Exploring Life Cycle Assessments Interview with Marcus Wendin

Photo by: Pontus Johansson

Life Cycle Assessments are about much more than assessing individual products. Interview with Marcus Wendin, expert on LCAs and their role in increasing circularity in society.

by Irene Baños Ruiz

Marcus Wendin is an environmental strategist specialising in eco-design and life cycle analysis. He has been using the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) method since 1998, when he started working at Volvo Technology. Since 2003, he runs his own company, Miljögiraff, which helps organisations learn about the environmental impacts of their products from a lifecycle perspective and develop sustainable alternatives.

Miljögiraff, www.miljogiraff.se

“If we’re going to use a product in a circular economy, we must consider it from the design phase.” This message is becoming a kind of mantra among professionals involved in the transition towards a circular economy. In this case, the quote belongs to Marcus Wendin, an expert on Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) who has been using this method for environmental assessments since 1998, when he started working at Volvo Technology. Since 2003, he has run his own company, Miljögiraff, which advises businesses about the environmental impacts of their products, from a life cycle perspective, and on how to develop sustainable alternatives. LCA may sound familiar to many, but few have as much experience in the field as Wendin has. Through his personal experience, he provides concrete examples of LCA through case studies, explains what the trickier parts to using the method are and, in short, how to increase circularity in society. For Wendin, one of the keys to a successful transition is questioning established norms. What kind of clients request your LCA services? “We usually have industrial clients who want to know how to reduce the environmental impact of their products in their whole life cycle perspective. They want to know if there are any trade-offs between the use and production phases, for instance.

One of the most emblematic cases we had was a company that produces elevators. Wire-driven elevators are the most common concept of elevator and, for most people, they are the preferred option from an environmental perspective, because they use less energy. A client asked us for act-based information on that, because his company was selling an elevator working with hydraulic pressure, which regulates the elevator instead of the wire, and uses a little bit more energy every time you travel with it. But the trade-off here is that it requires much less material for the production, because, for example, it doesn’t need the counterweight of a wire elevator. So if you compare a wire and a hydraulic elevator during the life span of a building, say 80 years, you will come to the conclusion that the environmental impact of the hydraulic elevator is actually half over the entire period.” How did this discovery impact the company? “It was very important for the company, which was a rather small company and has now doubled in size. However, the result of our study also changed the branch standard for elevators, as well as the regulations for buildings and the Eco-design Directive from the European Parliament.” So what are the main elements you have to pay attention to if you want to perform a successful LCA?

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PIRO4D/Pixabay

your system more roughly as a starting point and make sure that everyone has agreed on the goal and scope before you start collecting data. This is so time consuming that you risk spending too much time on the wrong details. So, I would recommend that everyone performing an LCA make a quick and easy rough estimate first, and then, when you know exactly what you’re about to study, dig deeper into the data.”

Irene Baños Ruiz is a freelance journalist who focuses on environmental topics. She is currently based in Bonn, Germany, where she regularly collaborates with Deutsche Welle.

“The first thing would be to focus on the functional unit so as to create a model that is relevant for comparison. You need to know what kind of function or service the product provides, and what would be the alternative to this product. Particularly at the beginning, there is a risk of placing too much focus on the inventory of data. It’s better to spend more time understanding the goal and scope of the system. You should draw

Could you share some results that have surprised you? “Definitely. The hanger is a very good example. We had the opportunity to help a client who produces hangers for clothes from paper. At first, obviously, the client thought that this would be a much better hanger from an environmental perspective than a plastic one made of polystyrene, which are used more frequently. So we made this comparison. The first thing we noticed was that steel details in the hanger were very important; using recycled steel is highly recommended. When comparing plastic and paper, we considered that the plastic hanger would be properly recycled within a circular economy model, and we would never buy virgin material. It turned out that recycling the plastic is actually better than using virgin paper for producing hangers. That was very interesting. It tells us something in general about products that are made out of plastic: it’s very important to create a system that recycles all plastic products, and not only packaging. Certainly, the circular economy can play a very important role in this.” Does this mean that for LCAs you choose an ideal scenario where materials are recycled? “We actually create different scenarios including incineration and municipal recycling, among others. It’s very important to know if the product

Eighty years of elevation service (In average Swedish installations of elevators) – LCIA: ReCiPe Endpoint, System model Ecoinvent Allocation Default 16,000

Hydraulic elevator

14,000

Traction elevator

12,000 10,000 8,000 6,000 4,000 2,000 0

TOTAL

RAW MATERIAL

PREASSEMBLY

INSTALLATION

USAGE

MAINTENANCE

END-OF-LIFE

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Hans Braxmeier/Pixabay

What kind of legislation are you referring to? “Let’s see. We can take the case of the elevator, for example. Since most people think that wire-based elevators are the best, that has also been written into the prescribed criteria. So when you build a house with an elevator, it’s prescribed already from the beginning that a wire elevator is less energy intensive. But from a lifecycle perspective that is not true. You really need to question how this system is set up to come to that conclusion. Another example could be medical products. If we would like to reduce or recycle a material that has been in a hospital, it is often not even allowed. We have to question these social norms, because very often we actually can recycle a material or even reuse a component without increasing the risk of hygiene issues. For example, blood bags that are used when a patient is losing too much blood are usually produced in PVC plastics. That’s great, it has saved many lives. However, now it is actually possible to create plastics that are much better than PVC, without, for instance, softener substances used in PVC plastics that can cause hormone disruption. Most people think that we should stick to PVC, but if we question this assumption we can find solutions that are so much better for the patient. We could reduce the risks of getting cancer or fertility defects, among others.”

Circular economy is fantastic, because it changes the perspective from which we think about products.

has a controlled end-of-life or not. In the hangers case, it was a clothing store, so they had a controlled end-of-life scenario. In that case, it is almost always more efficient to use recycled plastics, but if you don’t have a controlled scenario, it’s better to use a product that doesn’t have such a significant climate impact when you send it to incineration. That would be the paper hanger. It is important to focus on the big flows of things. For example, stores use approximately five hundred million hangers every year, but the end user doesn’t use that many hangers. So when it comes to hangers it’s more important to consider their use in stores. That goes for a lot of products; it’s important to focus on the big flows.” What are the main changes needed for more sustainable products? “After 20 years doing LCAs, I had time to notice that, in general, if we want to make a change, we should focus on the social or normative behaviours. We are often locked in our minds and think that how things work is how they should work. We tend not to question why things are working as they are. I think, for example, that legislation can sometimes hinder us from thinking outside of convention and norms.”

So carrying out a LCA is about much more than assessing individual products… “When we perform a LCA we have to question the legislation in place and propose that things could be different. Circular economy is fantastic, because it changes the perspective from which we think about products. LCA can be a tool to verify if the circular economy is really the preferred option. But, we have to be prepared to make the circular economy concept a little bit more complicated than it is right now. We tend to think that materials are recyclable an eternal number of times and that products can be the same even if we use them hundreds of times. If we’re going to use a product in a circular economy, we must consider it from the design phase. Regulatory pressure is very important and, when it comes to the circular economy, I think we need to push people to question the social script of things. I can see from my experience that the companies that have been innovative and started early with the circular economy have been much more prosperous and at the same time better for the environment.”

Sarah Richter/Pixabay

Innovative and Sustainable Packaging Conai – acronym for Consorzio Nazionale Imballaggi, the Italian packaging consortium – has launched an initiative that aims to reduce the environmental impact of packaging manufacturing by rewarding companies who have put sustainable packaging on the market. by the Editorial Staff

Conai’s Eco Tool for simplified LCA analysis, www.ecotoolconai.org

Publicising and rewarding the most innovative and environmentally sustainable packaging. Favouring research into solutions with the smallest environmental impact. All of which while keeping in mind that reducing the effects of packaging on the environment will mean, not only intervening on the amount of resources being used, but will also involve taking into account the entire life cycle of packaging itself, including manufacturing processes, consumer use and end-of-life management. These are the objectives that Conai – an Italian consortium dedicated to recovery and recycling of packaging materials – is hoping to achieve by launching a call for bids (Bando Conai per la prevenzione) with the support of the Ministry of the Environment. Conai’s partner businesses can only take part if, in 2017-2018, they marketed packaging solutions whose goal was to increase innovation and environmental sustainability. These products had to satisfy at least one of the following parameters: reusability, facilitated recycling, less use of natural resources, use of recycled materials, logistical optimisation, or simplification of packaging and optimisation of manufacturing processes. The call is for both new packaging and for packaging innovation, as long as the new solutions have a smaller environmental impact than the most commonly used packaging for that purpose on the Italian market. “The transition towards the circular economy can offer significant economic and competitive advantages to businesses, but it involves the need to reconsider current business models, and,

in particular, design and manufacturing processes. This should bring about a substantial change in the way things are done, as well as in resource management”, declared Giorgio Quagliuolo, Conai’s President. “For this reason, via the request for tender, this year we have decided to increase the economic incentives dedicated to rewarding the research and development efforts of our partner companies, be they packaging manufacturers or users.” The total prize money available will be 500,000 euro, of which 410,000 euro will go to the virtuous participating companies (according to their performance), while the remainder will be divided across nine super-prizes. Six of these will be awarded to the most sustainable packaging in every category of material: steel, aluminium, paper, wood, plastic and glass. The other three prizes will go to cases that were able to enhance the circular economy by employing one or more of these prevention mechanisms: reusability, facilitation of recycling and use of recycled materials. The proposals will be examined using Conai’s Eco Tool, which allows a simplified LCA to be carried out, calculating the effects of prevention measures enacted by companies in terms of energy and water saving, and of the reduction of CO2 emissions. This year, like in the past, Conai’s Eco Tool and the case analyses will undergo validation by DNV GL, an international certification body. In the 2018 edition of Conai’s call for tender 103 virtuous projects were presented by 73 companies, who achieved an average 24% decrease of their packaging’s environmental impact in terms of CO2 emissions, water consumption and energy use.

renewablematter 27. 2018

Startup

Name: Sector: Pros: Features:

1. An independent textile label that certifies when consumer and semiprocessed products, at all stages of the production chain, are produced without toxic substances and made using eco-compatible processes, by workers who are guaranteed safe and socially responsible working conditions.

3SIXTY: Plastic Bottles Turned into Linen 3SIXTY New products made from recycled plastic Range of products for the hospitality sector made from recycled plastic 3SIXTY’s products are made from 80% cotton and 20% threads of recycled plastic. They perform just as well as traditional towels and linens

by Antonella Ilaria Totaro

Twelve plastic bottles to make a towel, twenty for a bathrobe and one-hundred and twenty for a duvet. Founded in Ireland, 3SIXTY produce towels and bed linen made from 80% cotton and 20% threads of recycled plastic: their products’ feel and performance are exactly the same as normal, cotton-based linen. 3SIXTY products made their debut on the market in December 2018. The company sources the recycled plastic threads from a partner, and these are processed along with the cotton threads by an OEKO-TEX1 Made in Green certified manufacturer in Pakistan.

“3SIXTY offers hotels a simple and tangible way of demonstrating their commitment to environmental sustainability, by using products that have a smaller impact than the ones widely used today, thus sending a strong message to their guests.” These are the words of Colm Walsh, 3SIXTY’s founder, who came up with the idea while watching his children picking up litter on a beach.

3sixtyhome.co/shop

3SIXTY has chosen hotels as its target because of the conviction that the hospitality sector, being a major consumer of textile products, will be a considerable driving force for the recycling of plastic. In fact, according to the Irish start-up’s calculations, a medium-sized/100-room hotel, would end up recycling 86,000 plastic bottles a year by using 3SIXTY’s products. These numbers have convinced one of Ireland’s largest hotel chains to place their faith in the company.

Startup

Name: Sector: Pros:

Features:

by Antonella Ilaria Totaro

www.ananas-anam.com

Piñatex: The Fabric Made from Pineapple Leaves Piñatex by Ananas Anam New materials Designed as an alternative to leather-based and synthetic products, Piñatex allows farmers in the Philippines to have a new source of income without increasing land and water use Light and versatile non-woven textile product, born as a by-product from the production of pineapples in the Philippines

Carmen Hijosa, CEO of Ananas Anam, immediately makes one thing clear: “Please don’t call it leather.” After 15 years spent in the world of leather production and design, and a period of research in the Philippines, the Spanish entrepreneur took a gamble on the potential offered by pineapple, so much so that she returned to university and earned a doctorate in Textiles in 2014 – at the age of 62 – from London’s Royal College of Art. And thus, Piñatex was born: a patented non-woven textile made from pineapple

leaves, which originates in the Philippines as a by-product of the agricultural industry. The leaves of the pineapple plant, not of the fruit, are collected by workers in agricultural cooperatives and treated to extract fibres with which a substrate is formed, made of natural and polylactic acid (PLA) fibres. The substrate is then sent to Spain, where the processing is completed with the addition of a synthetic resin coating and colouring dyes. To produce one metre of Piñatex, 480 pineapple leaves are required, but no new trees. By not using land, water and pesticides on top of what was already used for the cultivation of pineapples, Piñatex aims to be a sustainable alternative to leather or synthetic products in the fashion industry, as well as in interior design. Ananas Anam is based in London and is focused on B2B marketing. Research to improve the material is ongoing: on the one hand, the goal is to create a biobased resin that will make the product 100% biodegradable, and on the other it is to make the material so resistant that it can be employed in the automotive sector.

renewablematter 27. 2018

Startup

Name: Sector:

Certifying Recycled Plastic with Flustix Flustix New certifications

Pros:

Flustix is an independent body for those who wish to certify their commitment to reducing plastic use in their products, and to communicate this to their customers effectively

Features:

Guarantee label that certifies products that are completely or partially plastic-free, as well as those made from recycled plastic

by Antonella Ilaria Totaro

https://flustix.com

Growing consumer attention towards plastics led to the birth, in 2016, of Flustix, a German independent certification body that assesses products and packaging made without plastic, or from recycled plastic. In fact, the very name Flustix is derived from a contraction of free of plastics. Flustix’s certification is the first of its kind,

registered as European Union Certification Mark by EUIPO (EU Intellectual Property Office) and by the German Patent and Trade Mark Office. Four different Flustix labels exist today: one certifies products that also have plastic-free packaging, such as toys and furniture; the second one is for plastic-free products that, for hygiene reasons, need to be packaged in plastic (such as sanitary products); the third is designed for food products and beverages with plastic-free packaging; and the final one certifies microplastic-free products, and is thus mainly aimed at cosmetics and sanitary products that do not contain microspheres and microplastics. Businesses can send samples of their products to Flustix, who in turn either approve or deny the “plastic-free” certification. This happens thanks to partnerships with Wessling, who provide lab spaces, and RAL, who support the licencing aspect. A new element, in recent months, is the Flustix Recycled label, which certifies products made from recycled plastic, and states the percentage of recycled material. This is thanks to a collaboration with Din Certco, an agency with 30 years’ experience analysing production processes. The certification label has to be renewed and reconfirmed every year in order to guarantee continued conformity with Flustix standards, which are regularly implemented by an independent committee formed of activists, environmentalists and sustainable innovators. “With this label we want to provide a clear guide for consumers and allow everyone to contribute to the protection of the environment,” states Malte Biss, the founder of Flustix.

Startup

Name: Sector: Pros:

Features:

by Antonella Ilaria Totaro

www.floiosjewelry.com

Jewellery From Upcycled Silver, by Floios Floios Jewelry Jewels made from recycled materials The small objects made by Floios Jewelry are unique pieces, whose raw materials are traceable, sourced from Slovenian woodland and from the recycling of photographic film and x-ray plates Designer jewellery based on natural forms, coated with upcycled silver

Oak, ivy, cypress, orchid: these are just a few of the plants and trees from which the silver-coated jewellery made by Floios Jewelry is born, in a design studio based in Ljubljana, Slovenia. What makes Floios’ Jewelry special is the fact that the silver coating covers real flowers, leaves or small branches. The silver coating itself, which encases the plant matter, is derived from recycled silver from old photographic film and x-ray plates. Tina Kosak, founder and director of Floios, is responsible for the

idea of using upcycled and traceable silver to make jewellery – and the modern recovery process for x-ray film is extremely efficient, salvaging over 99.9% of the precious metal. Kosak was inspired by nature, having thought of leaves and plants as a basis for small wearable design pieces. Each object comes with precise information about the plant it was sourced from, along with a history of its selection, from the date it was chosen to the exact location where the leaf, bark or branch were picked. Floios’ artisanal and minimalist jewellery are produced in limited series, and many are unique or custom-made pieces. It’s possible to order a personalised piece online, even choosing the type of leaf or flower. Floios Jewelry, through a traditional artisanal technique, submerges the plant in silver, taking care that its shape is not altered during the process. Within three weeks from when the order is placed, the piece of jewellery is delivered inside a wooden box, which is also made from traceable raw materials.

renewablematter 27. 2018

Columns Circular by Law

Climate: UN Experts Call for Decisive Actions Francesco Petrucci in collaboration with the Magazine “Rifiuti – Bollettino di informazioni normativa” and Observatory for environmental norms on www.reteambiente.it

There is little cause for optimism about the future of the Earth when we look at the Global Environmental Outlook – GEO-6 presented on 13th March 2019. The outlook, attended by 250 scientists from 70 countries, focuses on the “healthy planet, healthy people” issue. UN experts carried out scientific analysis on various subjects ranging from air pollution (that together with water pollution causes almost 9 million deaths a year) and soil degradation, to food wastage and plastic waste (8 million tonnes flushed into the sea every year). Conclusions predict a disastrous scenario for the planet and its inhabitants by 2050 if an immediate and drastic shift is not implemented.

Global Environment Outlook, www.unenvironment. org/resources/globalenvironment-outlook-6

The European Union has certainly been at the forefront in the fight against climate change, especially over the last few years. However, as stated by the European Parliament, current efforts are not enough. This has also been reiterated by the EU Council on 22nd March 2019, highlighting the importance of the presentation of a longterm strategy by the Commission aimed at zero emissions by 2050, as laid down in the 2015 Paris Agreement. The new rules and regulations on car and van emission reductions approved by the European Parliament on 27th March 2019 will also lend a hand. By 2030, the target is to reduce by 37.5% new car emissions (compared to the 2021 levels), whereas for new vans the objective is 31%. Vehicle manufacturers whose emissions exceed such limits will incur a fine. Meanwhile, the Union did its bit in the fight against plastic in the seas by approving the new directive on single-use plastic. After the Parliament’s vote of 27th March 2019, there is only the EU Council formal vote left before the text gets published in the EU Official Journal and comes into force. The objectives are ambitious: as of 2021 singleuse plastic plates, cutlery, straws and cotton buds will be removed from the market; by 2029, 90% of plastic bottles will have to be collected and for other products Member States will have to adopt measures to reduce their use. The draft directive on drinking water passed by the European Parliament on 28th March 2019 also

aims at reducing plastic bottles. Negotiations with the EU Council will soon begin in order to reach an agreed text. The version approved by the Parliament introduces stricter upper limits for pollutants such as lead and harmful bacteria. Furthermore, the principle of universal access to water has been enshrined: Member States will have to provide free water fountains, and bars and restaurants will be urged to offer customers free or cheap tap water. Such actions, together with the requirement for better informing citizens on drinking water safety, aim at reducing consumption of bottled water and thus plastic. In addition, the EU Parliament also gave its final go-ahead to the draft regulation and directive on the energy market together with the draft regulation on blackout risk protection and on cooperation amongst energy market regulators in the various Member States. This completes the 8 measures included in the “Clean Energy for all Europeans” package launched by the Commission in November 2016. The other 4 measures on renewable energies, energy efficiency, energy governance and building energy efficiency are already in place. On 27th March 2019, the EU Parliament also gave the green light on regulation that will help the circulation in the European market of fertilizers obtained from organic or recycled materials. With regards to product certification, as of 1st March 2020 servers and on-line data storage products will have to abide by the new eco-design requirements laid down in Regulation 2019/424/ EU, while as of 1st March 2021, new household appliance labels will be introduced (removing the “+++” and returning to the old “A” to “G” classification), in accordance with Regulation 2017/1369/EU. Lastly, the European Commission has decided to take a lenient attitude towards certain criteria to obtain the EU Ecolabel for dishwashing detergents, dishwashers and washing machines (Decision 2019/418/EU).

WWW.REBUILDITALIA.IT

CONVENTION REBUILD 2019

L’EVENTO DI RIFERIMENTO PER L’INNOVAZIONE DELLE COSTRUZIONI ITALIANE M I L A N O 26+27 GIUGNO 2019

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FABBRICA OROBIA Viale Orobia, 15 - Milano

ENTRA ANCHE TU A FAR PARTE DELLA COMMUNITY PIÙ INNOVATIVA DEL SETTORE DELLE COSTRUZIONI

14 –15 NOVEMBER 2019, MATERNUSHAUS, COLOGNE (GERMANY)

The BIOCOMPOSITES CONFERENCE COLOGNE is the world‘s largest conference and exhibition on the topic. This conference offers you the unique opportunity to gain a comprehensive overview of the world of biocomposites in Cologne. The conference at a glance: • More than 250 participants and 30 exhibitors expected • Innovative raw materials for biocomposites – Wood, natural fibres and polymers • Market opportunities for biocomposites in consumer goods (such as music instruments, casing and cases, furniture, tables, toys, combs and trays) as well as rigid packaging • Latest development in technology and strategic market positioning • Trends in biocomposite granulates for injection moulding, extrusion and 3D printing • Latest developments in construction and automotive

Organiser:

Sponsor Innovation Award:

www.nova-institute.eu

www.coperion.com

Conference Programme, Sponsoring

Asta Partanen Phone: +49(0)2233-48-1459 asta.partanen@nova-Institut.de Conference Manager

Dominik Vogt Phone: +49(0)2233-48-1449 dominik.vogt@nova-institut.de

VOTE FOR the Innovation Award “Bio-based Material of the Year 2019”! www.biocompositescc.com

THE GREEN TECHNOLOGY EXPO

From new circular economy development models to technological solutions for resource management and protection: an international platform to foster the growth of an innovative entrepreneurial ecosystem and create a more sustainable future.

5 - 8 NOVEMBER 2019 RIMINI EXPO CENTRE - ITALY Organized by

Simultaneously with

THE RENEWABLE ENERGY EXPO

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Univisual.com

Itelyum è la nuova realtà italiana con più di mezzo secolo di storia, riconosciuta a livello internazionale per tecnologia, esperienza e qualità nella rigenerazione di oli lubrificanti, nella purificazione di solventi e reflui chimici e nei servizi ambientali per l’industria. Con la forza di 16 aziende, 15 siti operativi e 500 persone, Itelyum spicca il volo e offre soluzioni sostenibili agli oltre 20.000 clienti in più di 50 paesi.

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