European Bioplastics (EUBP) unveiled its Bioplastics Market Development Update 2025 at EBC25 in Berlin, presenting new data that confirms the continued global expansion of biobased plastics production and their growing role in the transition to a sustainable, circular economy.
Odfjell has launched the first operational green corridor between Brazil and Europe. “Our chemical tankers are now sailing the 5,000-nautical-mile route between Brazil and Europe with substantially lower emissions. The corridor will operate 12-15 voyages per year, each lasting around 40 days”, states the Norwegian company.
”We have established an offtake of B24 sustainable biofuel blend in Rio Grande to secure long-term fuel availability. The Ports of Antwerp-Bruges, Rotterdam and Rio Grande are working together with our team to advance the green corridor through increased efficiency and optimized port-stay processes.”
“We do this to demonstrate that certified fuel, technology, and infrastructure are already available,” says CEO Harald Fotland. “Through this, we show that sustainable biofuel is a viable option for deep-sea shipping today.”
Fotland emphasizes that this is not a one-off demonstration but a long-term commitment.
“With this corridor, we integrate greener fuel as a new pillar in our decarbonization strategy. We activate the entire value chain to find ways to decarbonize our operations, and we are encouraged that key stakeholders are joining us in this groundbreaking initiative.”
Odfjell has taken independent action—self-funding the project and moving ahead without subsidies.
“By covering the additional cost ourselves, we eliminate the financial element and move directly into operational implementation. It may not be a perfect corridor yet, but a solid start. Its success depends on collaboration across the value chain, and we are committed to developing it further together with relevant stakeholders,” Fotland says.
This includes collaboration with ports to increase efficiency, with customers to maximize capacity utilization, and with fuel providers to increase the influx of green fuels.
In Brazil, the currently available sustainable biofuel quality is the so-called certified B24—a blend of 24% renewable biodiesel derived from waste and 76% VLSFO. Introducing biofuel marks another step in Odfjell’s decade-long work to reduce emissions. “We have already improved our carbon intensity by more than 54% compared to the 2008 benchmark, achieved through a wide range of technical and operational measures.”
The initiative aligns with IMO’s 2030 targets and the EU’s Fit for 55 ambitions, and builds on the 2024 Norway-Brazil MoU to establish a green, transatlantic shipping corridor.
“We hope to inspire broader industry action and welcome continued collaboration with regulators, ports, producers, other ship operators, and customers to accelerate the transition to low-emission maritime transport,” Fotland ends.
The Norwegian Minister of Climate and Environment, Anders Bjelland Eriksen, states:
“We congratulate Odfjell on taking the lead and demonstrating what is possible when business and public authorities cooperate across national borders to reduce emissions. Green shipping corridors over long distances are still in their early stages, and this therefore represents an important first step on the path toward zero emissions. The ocean is the link in trade between Brazil and Norway. This new green shipping corridor is the result of Norway’s cooperation with Brazil on more climate-friendly shipping. We will continue this work with the aim that more vessels can gradually adopt a wider range of low- and zero-emission fuels.”
Packaging
UPM introduces UPM Circular Renewable BlackTM, a groundbreaking innovation that redefines the role of black as a color in sustainable packaging. UPM Circular Renewable Black is the world’s first bio-based, near-infrared (NIR) detectable, carbon-negative[1] pigment, enabling premium packaging solutions that combine design excellence with full recyclability and a strong sustainability performance.
Takashi Matsumoto, Business Director at AGC Vinythai, talks toIl Bioeconomista. In this exclusive interview with us Mr Matsumoto talks about his company and the future development of bioeconomy in Thailand. “Climate action is urgent in Thailand as we are already living with the effects of climate change including flash floods, heavy rain and extreme temperatures, also in rainy season.“
Interview by Mario Bonaccorso
Catia Bastioli, President of Italian Circular Bioeconomy Cluster Spring, talks to Il Bioeconomista. In this exclusive interview with us, she talks about the new EU Bioeconomy Strategy, after its official launch yesterday in Copenhagen organized by the EU Commission and the Danish Presidency of the EU. “The new Strategy – she says – both in its content and in the context in which it is presented, could be a significant instrument for relaunching European competitiveness, viewing environmental sustainability as a driver of competitiveness.”
According to Bastioli, “the delays accumulated so far are causing Europe to lose its leadership to China and the United States, which have already defined clear strategies for the future of their bio-based manufacturing sectors, following the path originally traced by the EU. There can be no prosperous future without a clear strategic evolution for Europe and without full recognition of the extraordinary value of its territories and their diversity, which form the foundation of the bioeconomy”.
Interview by Felice Amori
Nicolò Giacomuzzi-Moore, Executive Director at CBE JU, talks to Il Bioeconomista. In this exclusive interview, released just after the presentation of the new EU Bioeconomy Strategy, he talks about the Communication launched by the Berlaymont and the next steps that are needed to make the bioeconomy happen: “We have no time to waste if we want to mantain the leadership in the circular bioeconomy, because our competitors are moving fast and often do not play by the rules”.
Interview by Mario Bonaccorso
Today, the Commission adopted a new Strategic Framework for a Competitive and Sustainable EU Bioeconomy, charting a way forward to build a clean, competitive and resilient European economy. By using renewable biological resources from land and sea and providing alternatives to critical raw materials, the EU will move forward towards a more circular and decarbonised economy and can decrease dependence on fossil imports.
BASF and ExxonMobil have formed a strategic collaboration to advance methane pyrolysis technology, a next step toward delivering efficient, cost-competitive low-emission hydrogen solutions for industrial use. The companies have signed a joint development agreement to co-develop methane pyrolysis technology, including plans to construct a demonstration plant aimed at commercial readiness.
There is a new English partnership in the bioeconomy. York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority, Tees Valley Combined Authority, the University of York, Teesside University, and CPI, signed a partnership which aims to create around 5,000 skilled jobs across the two regions. The partnership will bring together universities, businesses and local government to drive innovation in sustainable materials and chemicals, helping to cut emissions and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
Avantium, a leader in renewable and circular polymer materials, signed a capacity reservation agreement for its plant-based, recyclable polymer PEF (polyethylene furanoate), branded as releaf®, with Logoplaste Consultores Técnicos, SA., a global packaging manufacturer. Logoplaste and Avantium are collaborating as strategic partners within the Bottle Collective, a consortium dedicated to developing recyclable fiber-based bottles. This agreement further strengthens their partnership and supports the joint development of next-generation packaging solutions, extending beyond the paper bottle and into Logoplaste’s core business of high-performance bottles for beverages, food, pharma, home care, and personal care.
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