Nature-based biodegradable materials offer a promising solution to help address Europe’s resource crisis as they can replace fossil-based materials, reduce carbon footprints, mitigate microplastic pollution, increase the value of agri-food waste streams and improve environmental performance across value chains. Bio-based materials support a regenerative and circular bioeconomy and contribute to the EU's climate and biodiversity objectives. They also strengthen EU strategic autonomy and industrial competitiveness by creating new, sustainable market opportunities in the agri-food, forestry and fishery/aquaculture sectors.

The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), one of the two institutions behind the ECESP, will hold a public hearing in connection with the own-initiative opinion it is preparing on A comprehensive strategy for nature-based biodegradable materials to foster circularity and resource efficiency, strengthen the agri-food sector and scale-up the EU bioeconomy.

Various European Commission directorates-general and civil society organisations will be invited to attend so that the EESC can gather input for a comprehensive strategy for nature-based biodegradable materials.

The hearing aims to:

• Discuss nature-based biodegradable materials as a strategic opportunity for EU industrial competitiveness and circular bioeconomy performance, with due regard for planetary boundaries;
• Identify gaps in policy frameworks that prevent the development and implementation of nature-based biodegradable materials;
• Address market challenges and opportunities in the agri-food, forestry and fishery/aquaculture sectors.

This event will take place at 10:00-13:00 CET on 26 January. It will be webstreamed but you don't need to register. Interpretation will be provided in English, Spanish and German.