Europe’s Packaging Pivot Brings Bioplastics to Reality

EU-backed projects like Be-UP are testing biodegradable plastics in real factories, moving the debate from promises to proof

30 Jan 2026

Europe’s packaging industry is moving away from broad sustainability pledges towards testing whether biodegradable plastics can function under real manufacturing conditions, as regulatory pressure and past failures temper earlier optimism.

A central example is Be-UP, an EU-backed research project that aims to bring biodegradable plastics closer to commercial use. Rather than presenting new materials as easy substitutes for conventional plastics, the project is focusing on prototypes that are already running on existing packaging lines. These materials are being tested at Technology Readiness Level 7, meaning they are operating in industrial environments rather than laboratory settings.

That approach reflects lessons learned from earlier efforts. Biodegradable plastics have struggled to gain traction because of high costs, inconsistent quality and difficulties in scaling production. Be-UP is attempting to address those problems earlier by combining material development with industrial trials, exposing the plastics to the same stresses as conventional packaging before companies are asked to commit capital.

Industry groups play a central role. Novamont is contributing its experience in bio-based polymers. Aptar Group is providing input on packaging performance and consumer use. Imerys is developing mineral additives intended to improve strength without compromising environmental targets. The aim is to ensure the materials can meet technical and commercial demands, not just sustainability benchmarks.

As one industry analyst familiar with the project put it, “inventing a new plastic is only half the battle”. The more difficult task, the analyst said, is achieving consistent performance at scale, which determines whether materials progress beyond pilot projects.

Policy developments are adding momentum. European Union rules on packaging and waste are evolving to define standards for testing and biodegradability claims. While regulators are not mandating specific materials, companies are increasingly expected to substantiate environmental claims with data rather than marketing language.

Be-UP does not suggest that biodegradable plastics are ready for mass adoption. But it signals a shift in emphasis. Industrial-ready prototypes are moving out of theory and into production settings, narrowing the gap between research and deployment.

For manufacturers and brands, the implication is increasingly clear. As Europe’s packaging rules tighten, those that engage with industrial testing now may be better positioned when sustainability claims face closer scrutiny.