GO!PHA Review of Natural Polymers in Policy
Opportunities to redefine natural polymers for a competitive European Bioeconomy
The 2019 EU Single-Use Plastics Directive (SUPD) introduced a definition of plastic that excludes “natural polymers,” based on interpretations from the REACH regulation. However, this approach classifies polymers produced through industrial biological processes, such as fermentation, as non-natural, even when they are chemically identical to those found in nature. As a result, innovative bio-manufactured materials can be unintentionally restricted by policies designed to address plastic pollution.
To better understand this issue, GO!PHA and the nova-Institut conducted a comprehensive review of how the term “natural polymers” is defined and applied across EU policy and scientific literature. The analysis compares regulatory definitions with the scientific consensus and examines how inconsistencies across policies may affect innovation and the development of sustainable materials.
The study shows that scientific literature generally considers polymers produced through biological processes, such as fermentation, to be natural when they are identical to polymers occurring in nature. In contrast, current policy interpretations often focus on where polymerization occurs rather than the material’s properties, which can create barriers for nature-identical materials.
The report identifies three pathways to better align EU policy with scientific understanding and support innovation in sustainable materials. First, it recommends revising the definition of “natural polymers” in policy frameworks so it reflects scientific consensus and does not depend solely on where polymerization occurs. Second, it suggests moving toward a criteria-based approach that evaluates materials based on environmental performance, such as biodegradability, rather than origin. Third, the report proposes introducing a distinct category for “nature-identical” polymers, enabling fair regulatory treatment of bio-manufactured materials that are chemically and functionally identical to those found in nature.