Two new Horizon Europe projects STAR4BBS and BIORECER focus on development of innovative certification schemes, labels for bio-based feedstock; aim is to address urgent need for harmonization of schemes, increase transparency of global and EU trade flows

Sample article from our R&D/Patents

HURTH, Germany , September 30, 2022 (press release) –

nova-Institut GmbH announces its participation in two new HORIZON Europe projects – STAR4BBS and BIORECER – which both focus on the development of innovative certification schemes and labels for bio-based feedstock


Following a successful kick-off meeting in Berlin in September 2022, the new HORIZON Europe research project STAR4BBS sets out to improve sustainability certification schemes (SCS) and labels to support the transition towards a sustainable bio-based economy. Besides identifying suitable indicators, the project focusses on developing a novel biomass monitoring system. The latter supports the assessment of the effectiveness and robustness of established international and EU SCS and B2B labels and their associated traceability systems applicable to biological feedstock, bio-based materials and products. 

The knowledge generated will provide the basis for the urgently needed harmonisation of schemes, and increase the transparency of global and EU trade flows.

Shedding light on the biomass label landscape through novel monitoring systems
With industry actors striving to achieve sustainability goals, the bio-based economy is becoming an increasingly important pillar for the transition towards a renewable carbon and zero-pollution economy. To fully realise its potential, guidance is needed to help industry and other actors along the value chain chose best possible solutions for their sustainability goals. This is particularly important in light of an increasing number of international and national regulations, initiatives and agreements related to sustainable biomass and bio-based materials and products that intensify pressure. 

In this context, SCS and labels can provide valuable guidance. However, over the past decade an unprecedented landscape of different certification schemes and labels has emerged. While the proliferation of schemes and labels is generally viewed as positive, it has led to an excessive competition between different schemes. This has created confusion for potential users along the value chain, and has increased green washing potential, raising questions about the effectiveness and robustness of current certification schemes. Indicators and the innovative monitoring system developed in STAR4BBS will address these issues and provide evidence and recommendations to encourage the implementation of effective and robust SCS and labels by multiple different stakeholders.

Testing nova´s Biomass Utilisation Factor (BUF) in the BIORECER project
In the course of the following years, nova-experts participate in further EU-projects focussing on certification schemes, e.g. the HORIZON Europe project BIORECER. The project aims at assessing the best possible environmental performance and traceability of biological feedstocks used in the bio-based industry. BIORECER will evaluate the impact of current and established certification schemes on consumers and bio-based industry stakeholders. Furthermore, the project will examine the acceptance of novel value chains from biological feedstocks, including residual feedstock and waste.

The project will further test the suitability of Biomass Utilisation Factor (BUF), developed by nova-Institute in several European research project and finally published in July 2022. This novel indicator enables to capture the circularity of biomass under consideration of both the cascading use principle and the efficiency of the biomass utilisation. The concept is used to calculate how often and how efficient a material is kept in use, starting with the initial biomass input in the first product stage to its use in potential further product stages. BIORECER will validate the effectiveness of BUF and other indicators within four bio-based value chains: pruning from trees, waste from fruit and olive processing, by-products from cereal crops and by-products from fodder and industrial crops. 

Find the full publication on the Biomass-Utilisation Factor and other nova publications at https://renewable-carbon.eu/publications/. 

STAR4BBS (Grant Agreement Number 101060588) and BIORECER (Grant Agreement Number 101060684) both receive funding from the European Union´s HORIZON Europe Framework Programme.

About the nova-Institute
nova-Institute is a private and independent research institute, founded in 1994; nova offers research and consultancy with a focus on the transition of the chemical and material industry to renewable carbon: How to substitute fossil carbon with biomass, direct CO2 utilisation and recycling. We offer our unique understanding to support the transition of your business into a climate neutral future. nova-Institute has more than 40 employees.

Source
nova-Institute, press release, 2022-09-29.

Supplier
Horizon 2020
nova-Institut GmbH

* All content is copyrighted by Industry Intelligence, or the original respective author or source. You may not recirculate, redistrubte or publish the analysis and presentation included in the service without Industry Intelligence's prior written consent. Please review our terms of use.

See our dashboard in action - schedule an demo
Chelsey Quick
Chelsey Quick
- VP Client Success -

We offer built-to-order r&d/patents coverage for our clients. Contact us for a free consultation.

About Us

We deliver market news & information relevant to your business.

We monitor all your market drivers.

We aggregate, curate, filter and map your specific needs.

We deliver the right information to the right person at the right time.

Our Contacts

1990 S Bundy Dr. Suite #380,
Los Angeles, CA 90025

+1 (310) 553 0008

About Cookies On This Site

We collect data, including through use of cookies and similar technology ("cookies") that enchance the online experience. By clicking "I agree", you agree to our cookies, agree to bound by our Terms of Use, and acknowledge our Privacy Policy. For more information on our data practices and how to exercise your privacy rights, please see our Privacy Policy.