Please cite this paper as: OECD (2013-10-28), “Policies for Bioplastics in the Context of a Bioeconomy”, OECD Science, Technology and Industry Policy Papers, No. 10, OECD Publishing, Paris. http://dx.doi.org/10.1787/5k3xpf9rrw6d-en OECD Science, Technology and Industry Policy Papers No. 10 Policies for Bioplastics in the Context of a Bioeconomy OECD OECD SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND INDUSTRY (STI) POLICY PAPERS The OECD Directorate for Science, Technology and Industry (www.oecd.org/sti) develops evidence-based policy advice on the contribution of science, technology and industry to well- being and economic growth. STI Policy Papers cover a broad range of topics, including industry and globalisation, innovation and entrepreneurship, scientific R&D and emerging technologies. These reports are officially declassified by an OECD Committee. Note to Delegations: This document is also available on OLIS under reference code: DSTI/STP/BIO(2013)6/FINAL © OECD/OCDE, 2013 Note: The statistical data for Israel are supplied by and under the responsibility of the relevant Israeli authorities. The use of such data by the OECD is without prejudice to the status of the Golan Heights, East Jerusalem and Israeli settlements in the West Bank under the terms of international law. Applications for permission to reproduce or translate all or part of this material should be made to: OECD Publications, 2 rue André-Pascal, 75775 Paris, Cedex 16, France; e-mail: [email protected] POLICIES FOR BIOPLASTICS IN THE CONTEXT OF A BIOECONOMY TABLE OF CONTENTS FOREWORD ................................................................................................................................................... 5 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ............................................................................................................................. 6 INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................................... 9 BIOPLASTICS: FROM RAW MATERIALS TO END-OF-LIFE OPTIONS ............................................. 11 What is a bioplastic? .................................................................................................................................. 11 The life cycle of a bioplastic ...................................................................................................................... 11 Environmental and economic issues surrounding bioplastics .................................................................... 23 POLICY OPTIONS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF BIOPLASTICS ...................................................... 34 Supportive environments ........................................................................................................................... 34 Specific options for the development of bioplastics .................................................................................. 35 POLICIES AND PRACTICES BY COUNTRY ........................................................................................... 39 Argentina ................................................................................................................................................... 39 Brazil .......................................................................................................................................................... 39 Bulgaria ...................................................................................................................................................... 41 Canada ....................................................................................................................................................... 41 China .......................................................................................................................................................... 42 Denmark ..................................................................................................................................................... 43 France ......................................................................................................................................................... 43 Germany ..................................................................................................................................................... 43 Israel........................................................................................................................................................... 44 Ireland ........................................................................................................................................................ 44 Italy ............................................................................................................................................................ 45 Japan .......................................................................................................................................................... 47 Korea .......................................................................................................................................................... 48 Malaysia ..................................................................................................................................................... 50 Netherlands ................................................................................................................................................ 50 Norway ....................................................................................................................................................... 51 Spain .......................................................................................................................................................... 51 Sweden ....................................................................................................................................................... 52 Thailand ..................................................................................................................................................... 52 United Arab Emirates ................................................................................................................................ 53 United Kingdom ........................................................................................................................................ 53 United States .............................................................................................................................................. 54 European Union initiatives ........................................................................................................................ 57 CONCLUSIONS AND FUTURE WORK .................................................................................................... 67 Summary of policy trends .......................................................................................................................... 67 Key messages ............................................................................................................................................. 69 Future work ................................................................................................................................................ 69 ANNEX I – LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS ................................................................................................... 70 ANNEX II – LIST OF BIODEGRADATION AND COMPOSTING STANDARDS................................. 71 NOTES .......................................................................................................................................................... 73 REFERENCES .............................................................................................................................................. 75 OECD SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND INDUSTRY POLICY PAPERS 3 POLICIES FOR BIOPLASTICS IN THE CONTEXT OF A BIOECONOMY Figures Figure 1. Types of bioplastics, both biodegradable and non-biodegradable ................................................ 11 Figure 2. Estimated life cycle emissions from biofuels ................................................................................ 15 Figure 3. Relative costs in biorefinery operations for European sugar beet and Brazilian sugar cane ........ 15 Figure 4. Development status of biorefinery concepts ................................................................................. 16 Figure 5. Proportion of land required to substitute 20% of each energy source/material with bio-based alternatives ............................................................................................................................................ 17 Figure 6. Predicted global production capacity of bioplastics ...................................................................... 18 Figure 7. Municipal waste treatment, Europe 2009 ...................................................................................... 21 Figure 8. Biogas yields from various biopolymers ....................................................................................... 22 3 Figure 9. Calorie values of plastics, fuels and wastes (*(kcal per Nm for natural gas and city gas) .......... 23 Figure 10. Greenhouse gas emissions (as CO2) for various petro- and biopolymers ................................... 25 Figure 11. Average non-renewable primary energy use and GHG emissions of bio-based chemicals in comparison to conventional