Global demand for biomass far exceeds sustainable supply, making strategic prioritisation essential – directing it toward sectors like chemicals and aviation that have no alternative to biogenic carbon, while phasing out uses where electrification can take over.

BB-REG-NET's White Paper that brings together research from across its working groups, spanning the environmental and economic basis for transitioning to the bioeconomy for the benefit of people and planet.

Evidence from case studies in agriculture, forestry, and composting demonstrates that certified biodegradable plastics break down at a similar rate to which they are introduced into the environment, preventing long-term microplastic accumulation unlike conventional plastics which persist indefinitely.

Reference guide to standards for bio-based and biodegradable materials

This report examines how inconsistent definitions of "plastic" across UK regulations – particularly the Single-Use Plastics Ban and Plastic Packaging Tax – are creating uncertainty for manufacturers of bio-based and biodegradable materials. It finds that materials with identical properties are treated differently under various frameworks, and the lack of clear definitions for terms like "natural polymers" and "chemical modification" may discourage investment in sustainable alternatives.

Current UK sustainability taxes create perverse incentives that favor fossil-based plastics over bio-based alternatives, despite the government's circular economy goals. These policies are driving UK companies to seek opportunities abroad, as bio-based alternatives face significant additional costs and structural disadvantages compared to fossil-based materials.

Analysis of NHS procurement data and found that 407 contracts worth £5.5 billion have high potential for replacement with bio-based alternatives, creating an estimated £30-120 million annual market opportunity for UK manufacturers. The report identifies significant barriers including fragmented NHS procurement across 117 buying organisations and limited supplier portfolios containing bio-based products, whilst recommending pilot programmes and procurement consortiums to unlock this sustainable manufacturing opportunity.

Critical flaws in environmental assessment standards systematically disadvantage bio-based materials over fossil alternatives. The study reveals how Life Cycle Assessment frameworks contain built-in biases that can make sustainable products appear 103% worse for the environment purely due to methodology—undermining billions in UK bioeconomy investment and hampering Net Zero goals.

This report examines the claim that biodegradable plastics increase littering behavior and finds no robust evidence supporting this assumption. The research reveals littering is primarily driven by convenience and situational factors rather than material properties. The findings challenge a key misconception that has been hampering biodegradable materials market development.

The new report "From Research to Revenue: The Case for Scaling UK Bio-based Innovation" reveals the UK excels at creating bio-based startups but struggles to scale them domestically, with many relocating abroad for better infrastructure. The BB-REG-NET research shows internationally-active firms employ more staff and generate nearly twice the revenue of UK-focused counterparts. Addressing these scale-up barriers could create 4,230 new jobs and add £300-500 million in GVA to the economy through enhanced infrastructure, targeted patient capital, streamlined regulation, cross-sector collaboration, and dedicated 'scale-up scientists'.