In a comprehensive member survey, the Renewable Carbon Initiative (RCI) collected ideas and opinions on what is needed to enable the transition from fossil to renewable carbon in Europe. The feedback paints a clear picture and is a call to action.
The European chemicals and materials sector is under pressure. RCI members, representing a wide range of these sectors, see many common elements in the key challenges and how to address them. High energy and raw material prices, as well as the need to defossilise carbon demand to meet CO2 emission targets, particularly for so-called “Scope 3” emissions, are some of the issues frequently raised.
A central issue: there is no policy to incentivize the shift from fossil to renewable feedstocks in chemicals and plastics. RCI members urge policy makers to develop an appropriate regulatory framework to promote the use of renewable carbon feedstocks beyond fuels and including measures at feedstock/polymer level. To drive this transition, the utilization of non-fossil feedstocks must be made attractive to producers and consumers. When it comes to chemicals and derived materials, the European Union mostly approaches the sector via restrictive policies, for example via REACH or the Single-Use Plastics Directive. But such policies are hardly a viable tool to enable transformation strategies, guide development towards long-term targets and promote innovation/uptake of renewable carbon. The EU should investigate and consider more incentive-focused policies as a necessary tool to enable a guided transition. This could greatly accelerate the transformation towards renewable carbon, perhaps like it is currently happening in the US with clear support for carbon capture and bio-based plastics through regulation. The RCI believes that the current policy approach, which is more focused on restricting undesired or unproven technologies, should be adapted towards a more supporting framework that enables new technologies and solutions for the chemical industry. Change is necessary from regulations that aim to prohibit to regulations that enable.