European Bioplastics

What European Bioplastics does

European Bioplastics (legal entities: European Bioplastics e.V. in Berlin and European Bioplastics AISBL / EUBP in Brussels) is a non-profit industry association founded in 1993 (originally as IBAW — Interessengemeinschaft Bioabbaubare Werkstoffe) that represents the European bioplastics value chain. Its 80+ member companies span manufacturers, converters, brand owners, distributors and research institutions, including BASF, DuPont, Neste, NatureWorks, TotalEnergies Corbion, Novamont, Perstorp, FKuR Kunststoff, BIOTEC and SPHERE. The association operates from a Berlin headquarters (Marienstrasse 19-20, 10117 Berlin) and a Brussels office (Av. Palmerston 3) registered in the EU Transparency Register, giving it direct access to EU institutions for policy advocacy on legislation such as the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR).

The association's principal products and services are the Seedling Certification Scheme (a trademark-protected certification mark for compostable plastics owned by the association since 1993 and revised in October 2025), the annual European Bioplastics Conference (EBC, celebrating its 20th edition in 2025), annual market data reports compiled in cooperation with the nova-Institute (forecasting global bioplastics production capacity of 2.31 million tonnes in 2025 rising to 4.69 million tonnes by 2030), the EUBP Library of position papers and policy briefs, the EUBP Talk Series webinar programme, a member-only portal, and a Business Request service connecting external inquirers with members. The association also participates in EU-funded research consortia including the Horizon 2020 PRESERVE project, the Horizon Europe GRECO project on PLA-based food packaging, BioSupPack on brewery-waste packaging, and BIOMAC on lignin nanoparticles, and is a member of the European Bioeconomy Alliance (EUBA) and Bioplastics Organisation Network (BON) Europe.

Revenue is generated through recurring membership dues from corporate members across the bioplastics value chain; pricing is not publicly disclosed. The organization is governed by a Board of Directors (Co-Chairpersons Mariagiovanna Vetere and Franz Kraus, Vice-Chairperson Afsaneh Nabifar) under Managing Director Hasso von Pogrell, with a permanent staff of approximately 15 employees. Marketing and engagement is conducted through a multi-channel mix including the EBC conference, EUBP Talk webinars, newsletters, press releases, member-portrait content, and organic social channels on LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube and Bluesky.

Name

European Bioplastics

Legal name

European Bioplastics AISBL (EUBP)

Website

https://european-bioplastics.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1993

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

European Bioplastics is a Berlin-based non-profit industry association, founded in 1993, that represents more than 80 companies across the European bioplastics value chain. It advocates EU policy, owns the Seedling compostable-plastics certification mark, publishes market data with the nova-Institute, and runs the annual EBC conference.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Bioplastics Industry Association

NAICS

All Other Plastics Product Manufacturing (326199), Environmental Consulting Services (541620)

SIC

Miscellaneous Plastics Products (3080)

akta.pro primary industry

Biodegradation/Compostability Testing, Certification & Standards Services (IMANANAI)

Keywords

• Bioplastics industry association
• Compostable plastics certification
• Biobased materials advocacy
• Biodegradable polymers policy
• EU policy advocacy

Headquarters

HQ city

Berlin

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Membership dues: European Bioplastics operates as a membership-based industry association. The organization represents the interests of the bioplastics industry and is committed to building and strengthening a supportive policy environment in the EU. Revenue is generated through membership fees from industry stakeholders across the bioplastics value chain.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

European Bioplastics is a membership-based industry association representing the interests of the entire bioplastics value chain — manufacturers, converters, brand owners, and research institutions — in Europe. It advocates for supportive EU policy frameworks for biobased, biodegradable, and compostable plastics, and operates the Seedling certification mark (protected by trademark law since 1993) for compostable plastics. It also delivers the annual European Bioplastics Conference (EBC), publishes market data with the nova-Institute, and provides member services and policy position papers.

Product overview

European Bioplastics e.V./AISBL is an industry association representing the European bioplastics value chain, not a traditional product company. Its offerings consist of certification services (Seedling Certification Scheme), industry events (European Bioplastics Conference/EBC), market research publications, educational resources (EUBP Library), and member services. The Seedling mark is the association's flagship certification brand for compostable plastics. The annual EBC conference serves as Europe's premier platform for bioplastics knowledge exchange. The organization also produces market data reports in partnership with the nova-Institute and maintains a member-only portal with exclusive resources.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Seedling Certification Scheme: The Seedling certification mark owned by European Bioplastics for compostable plastics, protected by trademark law and widely acknowledged in the industry

Products and services

• Seedling Certification Scheme Certification scheme owned by European Bioplastics (since 1993) providing standards and the Seedling trademark label for compostable plastics. The mark is protected by trademark law and widely acknowledged across the industry as the certification for compostable plastics; it is available to qualifying producers and converters of compostable plastics.
• European Bioplastics Conference (EBC) Annual flagship conference of European Bioplastics held in Berlin (e.g., Titanic Hotel Berlin). It serves as Europe's key platform for business discussions and knowledge exchange in the global bioplastics industry, bringing together manufacturers, converters, brand owners, and researchers.
• Market Data Reports Annual market development updates and data reports published by European Bioplastics in cooperation with the nova-Institute, providing global bioplastics production capacity forecasts (e.g., 2.31 million tonnes in 2025 to 4.69 million tonnes in 2030). Used by industry stakeholders, policymakers, and researchers for market intelligence.

Quantifiable outcome

• Global bioplastics production capacities set to increase from 2.31 million tonnes in 2025 to 4.69 million tonnes in 2030 (20% growth)

Named customers10 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• nova-InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean Bioplastics works in cooperation with the nova-Institute for compiling and publishing market data on global bioplastics production capacities. This collaboration provides authoritative market intelligence for the industry.
• European Bioeconomy Alliance (EUBA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean Bioplastics is a member of the European Bioeconomy Alliance (EUBA) and actively participates in drafting collective position papers on policy matters such as the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR).
• Bioplastics Organisation Network (BON) EuropecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBON Europe is a collaboration of national bioplastics associations that European Bioplastics participates in to collectively react to EU legislation affecting the bioplastics industry.
• PRESERVE ProjectcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean Bioplastics participates in the PRESERVE Project, an innovative Horizon 2020 initiative focused on sustainable packaging innovations. The project hosted its final event as a side gathering at the European Bioplastics Conference.
• GRECO ProjectcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe GRECO project is a Horizon Europe-funded initiative providing innovative biobased, biodegradable and recyclable food packaging based on novel PLA copolymers, functional coatings, additives and green catalysts. European Bioplastics participates as a partner.
• BioSupPack ProjectminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBioSupPack brings on innovation for PPWR Compliance by converting brewery waste to biobased, circular packaging solutions.
• BIOMAC ProjectminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBIOMAC is a research project focused on ultrasound-assisted production of lignin nanoparticles, contributing to sustainable bioeconomy development.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• European Bioeconomy Alliance (EUBA): Alliance of European bioeconomy trade bodies of which European Bioplastics is itself a member. Comparable as a coalition-based industry advocacy network shaping EU bioeconomy policy (PPWR), but operates as a meta-coalition rather than a direct member-services association.
• nova-Institut GmbH: German research and consulting firm focused on bio-based and CO2-based economy, and European Bioplastics' co-author on the annual market data report. Operates in adjacent bioplastics intelligence and consulting; structurally an ecosystem partner rather than a competing association.

Direct peers

• Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI): North American industry association for biodegradable/compostable plastics, owner of a competing compostability certification mark. Directly comparable in mission, structure, and certification IP model to European Bioplastics and Seedling, although it operates in the US/Canada rather than EU.
• DIN CERTCO: Germany-based certification body issuing marks for compostable plastics and bio-based content under DIN EN standards. Direct competitor in the EU certification market for compostable plastics and a structural alternative to Seedling for brand owners and converters.
• TÜV Austria (OK Compost / OK Biobased): Certification body operating the OK Compost and OK Biobased schemes — the most direct competitor to the Seedling mark. Comparable because it monetizes third-party compostability certification for brands selling into EU markets, overlapping with Seedling's customer base and value proposition.

Regional players

• Japan BioPlastics Association (JBPA): Japanese trade association for biodegradable/bio-based plastics and owner of a comparable certification mark (JBPA GreenPla). Closely mirrors European Bioplastics' industry-association-plus-certification model, but operates in APAC rather than Europe.

Broad incumbents

• Association of Plastics Manufacturers (Plastics Industry Association US): US trade association for the broader plastics industry with advocacy, events, and member services. Comparable as a sister plastics trade body in a different geography but with no bioplastics specialization analogous to EUBP.
• Cefic (European Chemical Industry Council): Brussels-headquartered council representing the entire European chemical industry, including biopolymer and bio-based chemical producers. Comparable as a high-level EU advocacy and intelligence body, but far broader in scope than European Bioplastics and not specialized in bioplastics.
• PlasticsEurope: Brussels-based association representing the broader European plastics industry value chain. Comparable as a pan-European plastics trade body engaged in EU policy advocacy, but its scope spans conventional plastics as well as bioplastics rather than specializing in the bio-based and compostable niche European Bioplastics owns.

Emerging players

• Vinçotte / AIB-Vinçotte (Compostable certification): Belgian testing and certification body offering compostability certification services to EU brand owners. Comparable as a third-party certifier in the same EU compostable plastics market, though broader in scope than bioplastics alone.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@EuropeanBioplastics
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/european-bioplastics
• Instagraminstagram.com/europeanbioplastics

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about European Bioplastics