This preliminary study investigates the amount of biomass that would be needed in the Netherlands to replace the fossil raw materials used in the manufacture of plastics and how this transition to biobased plastics can be achieved. It is based on desk research and calculations of the area of agricultural land that would be needed to produce sufficient biobased material to meet Dutch demand for biobased plastics. In addition, interviews were held with experts on the institutional obstacles to such a transition. Far too little agricultural land is available in the Netherlands to produce the required amount of biomass needed to replace fossil plastics. Research with the aim of increasing the contribution made by biobased materials to the circular economy should focus on assessing the options for producing sustainable raw materials and on a comprehensive assessment of the sustainable use of biomass in various applications.
Source: Overbeek, M. M. M., Smeets, E. M. W., & Verhoog, A. D. (2017). Biobased materialen, circulaire economie en natuurlijk kapitaal. (WOt-technical report; No. 109). Wettelijke Onderzoekstaken Natuur & Milieu. https://doi.org/10.18174/428912