InternationalFachagentur Nachwachsende Rohstoffe e. V.

 

Open-Bio

Opening Bio-based Markets Via Standards, Labelling and Procurement

Application of standards, certification schemes and labels has positive long-term effects on the overall development of the European bio-based product market. Public acceptance of bio-based products is supported by ensuring, verifying and visualizing the sustainable sourcing of raw materials, the effective bio-content, the end-of-life options and a clear identification of their functionality in relation to regular products. Good product information that presents this information to companies, consumers and public procures is essential for the usage of these new products. Clear and harmonized labels on products will further boost public acceptance.

The Open-Bio project aimed at increasing the uptake speed of standards, labels and harmonized product information lists for bio-based products. It covered research and demonstration on direct and indirect biomass content methods, biodegradability and eco-toxicity tests. Practical solutions for stakeholders, lab and field tests on for instance sampling or capability of being recycled or digested in a gasifier were studied. Results contributed to European standard development and the development product information lists. These formed the basis for a database on bio-based products. The project investigated the feasibility for a distinguished label for bio-based products on the basis of the functionality laid down in standards. It provided detailed advice to include bio-based products into the EU Ecolabel.  Furthermore the social acceptance of bio-based products was tested via a set of target groups. New research on isotopes, marine bio-degradation and intended end-of-life options such as digestibility and recyclability was conducted. By participating in the Standardization Committee, CEN/TC 411, on "Bio-based products" (it’s Secretariat being one of the partners) and by doing pre- and co-normative research for them, Open-Bio allowed the European stakeholders to progress.

Project Results

External Collaborators

Netherlands Standardization Institute (NEN), Stichting Energy Research Centre Netherlands (ECN), nova-Institut (NOVA), Organic Waste Systems (OWS), Wageningen UR Food & Biobased Research (DLO), Agricultural University of Athens (AYA), Biomass Technology Group BV (BTG), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (ISA), Technische Universität Berlin (TUB), Hydra, Novamont SPA, Sticting Lettinga Associates (LeAF), University of York (UoY)

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This project received funding from the European Union’s Seventh Programme for research, technological development and demonstration under grant agreement No 613677.

 

 

 

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