Event Europe's Bioeconomy Strategy - How Can Bio-Based Materials Improve Europe's Economic Security and Lead the Shift to a Fossil-Free Future?

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The renewed EU Bioeconomy Strategy, published on 27 November 2025, sets out a clear objective: to scale up the sustainable and circular use of biological resources in support of climate neutrality, ecosystem resilience, and strategic autonomy. This means shifting decisively towards high-value bio-based materials and reduced dependence on fossil resources. Achieving this vision requires not only strategic commitments, but also credible and scalable solutions that are ready for implementation.

Pure cellulosic fabrics are exactly such a solution. Fully bio-based, biodegradable, and already used at commercial scale, they offer a practical route to cut fossil fibre use across the nonwovens sector, one of the major contributors to microplastic pollution.

Microplastics remain a stubborn challenge for Europe. Synthetic fibres in everyday items, including wet wipes, continue to leak into the environment, with impacts far beyond what their low shelf price suggests. At the same time, bio-based alternatives that are already competitively priced and proven in use face an uneven playing field in markets where environmental performance is not clearly signalled or required.

Take the recent UK decision to ban plastic fibres in wet wipes, which has shown that transformation is possible. Manufacturers adapted, supply chains held steady, shelves remained stocked, and consumers did not notice a loss in performance or comfort.

The panel will bring together representatives from the European Commission, industry, and policy experts to discuss practical ways to implement the Bioeconomy Strategy and scale up sustainable materials across Europe.

Confirmed panellists:

  • Aurel Ciobanu-Dordea, Director, Competitive Circular Economy & Clean Industrial Policy, Directorate-General for Environment, European Commission
  • Zoe Compston, Deputy Head of Mission and Counsellor for Goods, Health, and Environment at the UK Mission to the EU
  • Patricia A. Sargeant, Executive Vice-President, Non-Wovens Commercial, Lenzing

Moderator:

  • Martin Porter, Executive Chair, Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership & Senior Advisor, FTI Consulting Strategic Communications

Please note that this panel discussion is in-person only and will not be live-streamed.

This event is organised by Lenzing with Euractiv as Media Partner.

Register here