Revised law gives a shot in the arm for bio-plastics

Changes to German packaging laws will have a far-reaching impact on markets for biodegradable plastics in the whole of Europe, according to the international industry association.

Biodegradable plastics, largely produced from renewable resources, had been left out in the cold by Germany's packaging laws. Now, a legal amendment will exempt products with the correct certification from the requirement to have waste recovery systems in place. This will give the industry until 2012 to establish a collection and composting infrastructure.

IBAW, the sector's international association, believes potential users of biodegradable packaging will be less confused about the materials' status. Says chairman Harald Kaeb: "There will be no need to pay the Green Dot fee of around euro 1.30/kg. Users can start from a much lower fee. And this is a conspicuous privilege that has been granted to biodegradable packaging, which will act as a signal to the industry and to users. It will bring a greater dynamic to the wider European market."

Countries including the UK, Netherlands and Italy already use substantially more biodegradable packaging than Germany. The opening up of the German market is expected to add impetus to the use of an international certification system. Among other benefits, this will allow consumers and waste processors to identify compostable packs more easily.

Patricia Potts, global communications manager for Innovia (formerly UCB) Films, says: "Everyone in the UK industry thinks that the changes to German law will have a positive impact on the market." The UK Compostable Packaging Group was set up last year to promote awareness of these materials.