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

In the opinion, the EESC:   

  •  considers that the EU has a timely opportunity to accelerate the transition towards a circular bioeconomy, combining resource efficiency, sustainable biomass use and industrial competitiveness, building on upcoming legislative initiatives such as the Circular Economy Act and the EU Bioeconomy Strategy; 
  • stresses that efficient use of resources requires applying the waste hierarchy and lifecycle thinking, prioritising prevention, reuse and material efficiency, while recognising both technical and biological circular pathways to achieve the best environmental outcomes; 
  •  highlights the potential of nature-based biodegradable materials to reduce pollution, support regional economies and strengthen EU competitiveness, while calling for greater regulatory coherence—particularly in the implementation of packaging legislation—to avoid barriers and enable innovation.

The full text of the opinion is available here. 

Context:  

Europe is under growing pressure on natural resources, waste systems and ecosystems, while material use continues to rise. This shows the limits of linear production models and the need to move faster towards a circular economy. At the same time, the EU is advancing key legislation, including the Circular Economy Act, EU Bioeconomy strategy and the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR). These frameworks will shape how materials are designed, used and managed in the years to come.

Nature-based biodegradable materials can play an important role in this transition. They offer alternatives to fossil-based materials and can support more sustainable use of agricultural, forestry and fishery resources. However, current EU rules do not always reflect their specific characteristics, creating uncertainty and potential barriers for innovation. This makes the opinion particularly timely, as it highlights how ongoing legislative processes can better support these materials.

Date of the section meeting: 16 April 2026
Rapporteur: Stoyan Tchoukanov  (Civil society organisations' group – BG)

The opinion will be on vote adopted at the EESC plenary on 29 April 2026

Contacts: