BIOBASED CHEMICALS goals. The EU Clean Industrial Deal has identified these challenges as real risk management levers.
For example, naturally derived propionic acid is the essential building block for a fully biobased calcium propionate, ensuring that the entire preservative system is derived from renewable, naturally sourced raw materials rather than fossil-based feedstocks. Using it supports clean-label strategies by enabling manufacturers to align with growing consumer demand for ingredients perceived to be more natural, transparent and sustainably produced.
The bioeconomy
Many efforts are being brought together to further develop a value chain that can escape from fossil resource dependence and geopolitical risks. These include the development of entirely new biobased molecules, the production of drop-in biobased products and the use of mass balance systems to create bioattributed products.
The latter should not be seen merely as an interesting transition toward segregated biobased value chains,
nor as a competitor to fully biobased solutions. 1 Rather, they should serve as a transitional ally, helping to accelerate progress toward the ultimate objective: the development of a fully biobased, low-carbon and circular chemical industry.
In a world predominantly fuelled by oil, Europe has clearly identified the importance of all these value chains to introduce renewable resources into conventional production lines. Policies are currently being developed under the Clean Industrial Deal framework to define overarching goals and incentives for strengthening European sovereignty. Among them, the Biotech Act aims to support the bioeconomy and biotechnology as key drivers for the future of Europe ' s economy.
At the same time, the EU has introduced a new directive on green claims. Its purpose is to set clear and fair rules for how companies communicate the environmental benefits of their products. This is especially important because chemical products can now be produced through different routes, such as fossil-based, biobased, recycled or bio-attributed production systems.
Regulatory and market pressures, especially from the EU, are redefining what it means to make credible sustainability claims. What was once optional is now a baseline expectation: labels like‘ biobased’‘ renewable’ or‘ low-carbon’ must be backed by transparent data and methodologies, plus traceable sourcing. The EU’ s Renewable Energy Directive III, Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism and Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation are tightening rules on green claims and forcing companies to substantiate every assertion with robust evidence.
For suppliers, this is about enabling customers to make informed choices, not just compliance. Product carbon footprints, robust lifecycle assessment, certified feedstocks and clear supply chain traceability are no longer optional add-ons; they are core components of the commercial offering. Many major corporations are already requiring detailed sustainability data from their suppliers, and financial institutions are linking loans to ESG performance, making green credentials a financial and reputational necessity.
SEP / OCT 2026 SPECCHEMONLINE. COM
85