Advancing bioeconomy monitorings: A case for considering bioplastics

Abstract

Substituting fossil-based with bio-based products is a promising approach for addressing environmental problems, but assessing potential trade-offs is challenging. Bioplastics, for example, are considered both a potential solution as well as a new source of harmful environmental impacts, mainly arising from their use of agricultural biomass. Yet, bioeconomy monitoring systems do not currently capture such net effects of substitution at the sub-sectoral level. This paper explores how such monitoring could be enhanced to support sustainable transition by analysing plastics substitution and related economic and environmental effects using an extended input-output model that includes environmental data and disaggregates the plastics and bioplastics sectors. The ongoing transition in the German plastics sector – measured by combining information from expert interviews with secondary sources – is characterized by low domestic demand, high dependence on imported inputs, and relatively low fossil-resource savings. Results for selected indicators reveal few trade-offs regarding fossil resource use, water use, value added, and employer compensation. Process greenhouse gas emissions are significantly higher when substituting bioplastics for plastics, if credits for bio-based carbon are neglected. This study proposes that sustainable transition in the German plastics sector would benefit from more specific monitoring and clearly justified policy targets, based upon reconsideration of stated objectives in bioeconomy strategies. Methodological recommendations include accounting for carbon cycles in greenhouse gas emissions modelling, using further indicators related to possibly harmful impacts on the environment, and distinguishing between domestic and foreign effects by applying the proposed input-output model to the most relevant countries in bioplastics value chains.