New body aims to deliver on chemicals sector green pledge
8 Dec 2024
A new body designed to speed the transition to sustainable chemicals and materials in the UK has been officially launched, a move likely to drive further lab science resource investment in the sector.
BB-REG-NET, billed as the country’s first regulatory science network for bio-based and biodegradable materials, has been funded with a £0.47 million-plus award from Innovate UK.
Comprising industry, academia, and government representatives, it is the result of a half year consultation with 180 individuals and 100 organisations regarding the barriers preventing wider adoption of sustainable approaches.
The organisation estimates that fossil-derived chemicals – which make up the vast majority – account for 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions.
Given their prevalence, manufactured chemicals are vital for food and national security, communications, delivering medical treatments and much else. However, global warming made progress towards a more environmentally friendly economy essential.
The UK chemicals industry aims to source 30% of carbon feedstock from biomass by 2050, which advocates say would potentially contribute £204 billion in annual revenue to the economy, adding the manufacture of 15 biochemicals could deliver 5.2 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent greenhouse gas savings, to contribute £1.6 billion annually.
Project lead Dr Jen Vanderhoven, chief operating officer at the Bio-Based and Biodegradable Industries Association (BBIA) and project lead for BB-REG-NET, said a regulatory science network for bio-based and biodegradable materials was vital to surmount barriers to adoption.
“BB-REG-NET will establish a network of key stakeholders, with the aim of developing new tools, standards and approaches to evaluate the quality, performance and environmental and economic impact of Bio-based, biodegradable and compostable chemicals and materials, to assess benefit-risk and facilitate sound and transparent regulatory decision-making. We hope this will enable a truly circular bioeconomy and reducing reliance on fossil resources."
This was echoed by the network’s industry supporters, among them Clare Walker, head of global regulations and product safety at leading chemical process and manufacturing company Holiferm.
She said: “The establishment of the UK Bio-based Materials Regulatory Network (BB-REG-NET) provides a much-needed opportunity to address the barriers preventing the adoption of more sustainable chemicals in the UK. Through the true collaboration this network offers, we can create a clear regulatory path to market for sustainable materials, accelerating our transition away from fossil-based materials.
Working groups will begin activities in December 2024, with the first major deliverables expected in early 2025.
Pic: Shutterstock
