Organised by ANIPH, ViSS and PHAntastic projects, the workshop took place in Lisbon on 9 April and brought together leading European research projects, industry actors, and policy experts to address one of the most pressing challenges in the transition to a circular economy: the development and deployment of safe and sustainable bio-based polymers. 

Across sessions, a common narrative emerged: while bio-based and biodegradable plastics hold significant promise as alternatives to fossil-based materials, their successful implementation requires a systemic approach. This includes material design aligned with end-of-life scenarios, integration of Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD) principles, robust assessment methodologies, and alignment with evolving EU policy frameworks. 

The workshop highlighted the importance of connecting innovation across the value chain, from raw material sourcing and polymer synthesis to processing, application, and environmental fate, while ensuring that sustainability, safety, and circularity are embedded from the earliest stages of development. 

This publication brings together the main insights and all presentations from the Workshop on Safe and Sustainable Bio-Based Polymers.

Discover more, read here the conference proceeding.