BBIA, advancing the UK circular bioeconomy
Welcome to the Bio-based and Biodegradable Industries Association (BBIA), representing companies involved in the production of bio-based and biodegradable products for the benefit of the environment.
Our members’ activities span a wide range of sectors and applications, providing a range of transformative solutions that benefit both businesses and individual consumers. BBIA aims to develop the sustainable use of bio-based (renewable) and biodegradable materials, promoting their market development in the UK.
With increasing pressure to keep fossil fuels in the ground, bio-based alternatives can bridge the gap to meet demand. This can be done through the use of starch and glucose derivatives, as well as fibre reinforcements, including flax, hemp, sisal, jute, wool, bamboo and wood regenerated cellulose among others. The production of new biomaterials is opening up opportunities, creating jobs and wealth in the new green economy.
Many of these materials, once used, can be returned to regenerate soils as compost closing the circular loop of soil to soil. The issue of soil depletion, erosion and desertification is a major ecological challenge which a circular economy for biowastes and biomaterials can help mitigate. Soil is also a carbon sink and increasing the volumes of biowastes returned to soils can help reduce atmospheric emissions. The right materials to do this are needed to ensure such biowastes are free from contamination above all of plastics, to maximise the agronomic value of biowaste recovery.
BBIA is affiliated to the REA, to the IBIOIC, the WRAP Plastic Pact, is a member of the DEFRA Resources and Waste Strategy Advisory Group and the BEIS Business Environment Working Group and acts in favour of the public interest through advocacy for policy changes in the UK.
COOP advice on the provision of compostable carrier bags
The COOP has developed an open-source document providing advice on how to sell compostable carrier bags. Read more.
Chairman’s Message
BBIA’s Chair, Andy Sweetman, Marketing Manager at Futamura UK, considers the progress BBIA has made over its first five years and the work still to do. Read more
Market
development
Consumer
awareness
Industry
engagement
Promoting recognised standards
Introducing our members
BBIA welcomes members from across the bio-based and biodegradable sector involved in designing and producing products to grow the bioeconomy.
Take a look at what our members are up to.
BBIA member case studies
BBIA has produced a series of case studies of BBIA members for the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), which is seeking to to produce a strategy that will encourage a world leading bioeconomy appropriate to the UK’s industrial structure and availability of natural resources.
Check out case studies from BBIA members Aquapak, BioBag, Ecospray, Futamura, Snow Business, Vegware and Woolcool to see how they are helping to grow the bioeconomy in the UK.
Our News
Floreon featured in global patent protection case study
BBIA member Floreon, an award-winning producer of plant-based plastics, has recently been featured in a global patent protection case study by intellectual property law firm UDL. The case study details how UDL filed patents for [...]
New members highlight growing role of the bioeconomy
The BBIA was founded in 2015 with seven original members. Today, six years later, we are proud to announce that though still a small organisation, the BBIA's membership has grown to 31. These members represent [...]
Five things to know about biodegradable and compostable plastics
Which ? reports on compostable plastics, how to use and dispose of them in this article here written with the help of BBIA. The article outlines the distinction between biodegradable and compostable plastics, how to [...]
REEL debate with David Newman – Everything is Connected: Understanding a Complicated World
BBIA Managing Director David Newman participated in a debate held by Ian Bates and Dan Evans from REELbrands. The debate focussed on the influence of money; what is really fuelling climate change and the impact [...]
On the Web
Composting certified compostable products
Allowance of compostable liner bags, and in some cases compostable products, is a must for [...]
Sustainable futures over the next decade are rooted in soil science
In response to an emerging need to better understand soils as key deliverers of these [...]
Single-Use Plastics Directive comes into force
The EU's Single-Use Plastics Directive (SUPD) came into force on 3 July. The guidelines can [...]
