HomePET Knowledge BaseAre Biobased Materials Considered Plastic? New Study Clarifies EU Regulatory Framework

Are Biobased Materials Considered Plastic? New Study Clarifies EU Regulatory Framework

2026-03-06

As biobased and biodegradable plastics gain market traction as alternatives to conventional petroleum-based materials, confusion persists over their regulatory status. A recent study offers guidance on how biobased materials are treated under EU law, highlighting that renewable origin alone does not determine regulatory classification.

Key Findings

Researchers examining the EU regulatory landscape for biobased plastics have found that these materials are generally subject to the same regulations as conventional polymers. The determining factor is not the feedstock source—whether plant-based or fossil-derived—but the material's chemical structure and whether it has been chemically modified.

This distinction has significant implications for the food packaging industry, particularly for materials used in bottles, films, and containers.

Implications for Common Packaging Materials

Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) , widely used in beverage bottles and food packaging, can be produced using renewable feedstocks. When PET is manufactured with bio-derived monoethylene glycol while maintaining identical chemical structure to conventional PET, it is regulated in the same manner as fossil-based PET. The chemically identical nature means it remains subject to all applicable food contact requirements and safety assessments.

Polyethylene Furanoate (PEF) , an emerging biobased polyester derived entirely from plant-based resources, offers enhanced barrier properties for packaging applications. Despite its renewable origin and distinct chemical structure, PEF is produced through synthetic polymerization and therefore falls under existing plastics regulations, requiring the same compliance measures as conventional materials. This is particularly relevant as PEF gains regulatory approvals globally—for instance, in February 2026, China's National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment approved PEF for food contact applications, incorporating it into the GB 4806.7 standard.

Regulatory Ambiguities

The study identifies several terms requiring clearer definition across EU legislation, including:

- What constitutes "chemical modification"

- How to classify crosslinked materials

- The precise meaning of "biobased" in regulatory contexts

These ambiguities create uncertainty for material developers working on both drop-in biobased alternatives and novel polymers.

Practical Guidance

For material innovators and packaging manufacturers, the key takeaway is straightforward: regulatory status depends on chemical composition and modification, not on whether the material comes from renewable sources. This means biobased versions of conventional plastics must meet the same safety standards as their fossil-based counterparts, and novel biobased polymers must undergo the same approval processes as any new material entering the market.

The study emphasizes that biobased content alone does not guarantee safety, sustainability, or exemption from environmental concerns such as microplastic pollution.