BB-REG-NET (Bio-based and Biodegradable Materials Regulatory Network) hosted a workshop on 4th March at the Royal Society for Chemistry, bringing together experts from across the bio-based materials sector to share research findings and engage in collaborative discussions.

The event featured morning presentations from four of the network’s six working groups, followed by interactive afternoon workshop sessions designed to gather industry insights and advance research in key areas of the circular bioeconomy.

Morning Presentations

Dr Jen Vanderhoven, COO of BBIA, opened the event with an introduction to the programme, setting the context for the day’s discussions on evidence-based approaches to bio-based materials regulation and market development.

Tony Breton from Organics Matter delivered the first technical presentation on standardisation in the bioeconomy, highlighting the limitations of current UK standards for bio-based materials. He explained the different types of standards, the committees responsible for their development, and key areas of interest including biodegradation, bio-based products, packaging recycling, and chain of custody. Breton emphasised that existing standards are “confusing and often misunderstood” by consumers and noted the lack of clear definitions for biodegradability in different environments. He also shared resources for accessing standards information.

Adrian Higson from NNFCC, which leads Working Group 2, presented findings on biodegradable materials in relation to littering and microplastics. NNFCC’s research challenges the common misconception that people are more likely to litter packaging they know is biodegradable, showing how there is no observable link between bio-based materials and increased littering behaviour. The presentation highlighted that littering is primarily influenced by circumstance and convenience rather than material biodegradability. Higson also addressed microplastics, explaining that while they are an inevitable part of the biodegradation process, large-scale trials have demonstrated the effectiveness of composting certified materials.

Rachel Rothman and Stuart Walker from the University of Sheffield (leading Working Group 3) introduced the review of life cycle assessment (LCA) standards. Their work examines whether current standards enable fair comparison between bio-based and fossil-based materials. The team identified nine specific features that make such comparisons difficult, including inconsistencies in methodology, treatment of biogenic carbon, and end-of-life considerations. Having completed their review of ISO standards, the team will next examine European standards.

Jonathan Hobson from Perspective Economics (Working Group 4) outlined research on the economic potential of bio-based businesses in the UK. His analysis of companies that had received public funding examined differences between those with international activity versus UK-focused businesses. From an initial list of 2,800 companies, the team identified 433 relevant businesses, with 104 having international operations. The findings revealed that internationally-focused medium-sized companies showed significantly stronger employment growth compared to UK-focused counterparts, often facilitated by substantial international capital investment.

Jo Gavins from the University of Sheffield (Working Group 5) discussed communication challenges in the bio-based materials sector. Her research explores how language affects consumer interaction with these materials, focusing on addressing evidence gaps around labelling effectiveness. She highlighted that current marketing approaches may be effective for selling products but insufficient for changing long-term consumer behaviour, particularly regarding proper disposal of materials. Professor Gavins outlined her working group’s schedule, which includes a report on linguistic analysis of current communicative practices by June 2025, followed by consumer focus groups and the development of a framework for effective communication.

Afternoon Workshops

Following lunch, attendees participated in four parallel workshop sessions:

“Litter, Microplastics, and Biodegradable Materials” led by Dr Higson engaged participants on key conclusions about littering and microplastics, while exploring topics related to biorefinery models and standards certification.

“Bio-Based vs Fossil: A Life Cycle Assessment Showdown“ facilitated by Professor Rothman examined impact categories and data availability for fair comparison between materials. Discussions focused on which categories are most important for comparison, which ones participants wished could be used, and challenges around data sourcing and sharing.

“BioBillions – How to Unlock the Economic Impact of the Bioeconomy” led by Jonathan Hobson explored pathways to enhance growth in the bio-based sector. The sessions examined whether UK bio-based businesses face market failures in scale-up support or if international markets are simply necessary for growth. Participants also discussed public procurement opportunities, with preliminary data showing over 3,700 contracts worth £13.6 billion between 2014-2024 that could potentially incorporate bio-based alternatives.

“Talking Green: Navigating Greenwashing in Bio-Based Materials“ conducted by Professor Gavins examined communication strategies and the challenges of effective consumer engagement without greenwashing. The interactive session included creative writing exercises to help participants explore new ways of communicating about bio-based products.

The workshops play a role in building an evidence base that can inform regulatory frameworks and support market development for bio-based and biodegradable materials. The insights and feedback gathered will be incorporated into ongoing research across all working groups.