Circular by nature: a policy agenda for bio-based materials in a circular economy

A circular economy for bio-based materials can unlock new revenue streams, drive innovation and strengthen supply chain resilience. Most bio-based materials are still produced and consumed within linear systems. A circular economy approach changes that by enabling regenerative sourcing, keeping materials in use, giving value to by-products and residues, and building business models that decouple revenue from virgin resource extraction.

The transition to a circular bioeconomy is essential for achieving Europe’s climate neutrality, biodiversity protection and resource resilience objectives. Europe already has a growing ecosystem of initiatives, projects and regional strategies supporting circular bioeconomy solutions – and this is all expected to grow with the help of the EU Bioeconomy Strategy which was adopted last year. 

However, there are still significant challenges in terms of scaling implementation, connecting stakeholders across sectors, and translating policy ambition into practical tools and market solutions.

This EU Circular Talk marks the European launch of a new report by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation. Circular by nature: a policy agenda for bio-based materials in a circular economy outlines key principles and recommendations for circularity in the production and use of bio-based materials. It discusses how these principles and recommendations can be integrated into the implementation of the EU Bioeconomy Strategy, and provides key updates regarding the strategy's implementation.

Programme

• Welcome and introduction: Marianne Kettunen | Ellen MacArthur Foundation
• Presentation of the EMF report: Guilherme Suertegaray | Ellen MacArthur Foundation 
• Panel discussion
  • Silvia Forni | DG ENV, European Commission
  • Ana Jesus | European Environment Agency (EEA) and co-coordinator of the ongoing EEA study on circular business models for bio-based resource use
  • Marco Rupp | Biobased Industries Consortium (BIC)
  • Corina Murafa | European Economic and Social Committee (EESC)
  • Agnieszka Sznyk | INNOWO, Coordinator of the ECESP Leadership Group on Advancing an Integrated Circular Bioeconomy, and Observer to the European Commission Expert Group on the Implementation of the Strategic Framework for a Competitive and Sustainable EU Bioeconomy

This event will take place at 13:00 to 14:00 CEST on 15 July.

Register here.