Bioplastics require demand side interventions
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The president recently reaffirmed South Africa’s commitment to net carbon zero by 2050 in his state of the nation address.
Biomaterials, and bioplastics specifically, offer a potential decarbonisation option for the petrochemicals value chain. South Africa relies heavily on coal as an input into chemicals production and bio-based bioplastics have room to substitute for traditional plastics.
BUT, the market for bioplastics in South Africa is currently limited and market demand has yet to materialise substantially. While a number of efforts are present to develop the supply side of the market, it appears that policy interventions are necessary to stimulate demand for sustainable plastics. TIPS recently conducted a study into the subject of stimulating demand for bioplastics in South Africa.
Michael Avery spoke to Muhammed Patel an Economist at TIPS; Jenitha Badul, Senior Manager/Policy Advisor for Sustainability Programmes and Projects, at the Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries and Ozunimi Iti, project manager in the Environment Department of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), about whether the carrot or stock works best.
Biomaterials, and bioplastics specifically, offer a potential decarbonisation option for the petrochemicals value chain. South Africa relies heavily on coal as an input into chemicals production and bio-based bioplastics have room to substitute for traditional plastics.
BUT, the market for bioplastics in South Africa is currently limited and market demand has yet to materialise substantially. While a number of efforts are present to develop the supply side of the market, it appears that policy interventions are necessary to stimulate demand for sustainable plastics. TIPS recently conducted a study into the subject of stimulating demand for bioplastics in South Africa.
Michael Avery spoke to Muhammed Patel an Economist at TIPS; Jenitha Badul, Senior Manager/Policy Advisor for Sustainability Programmes and Projects, at the Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries and Ozunimi Iti, project manager in the Environment Department of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), about whether the carrot or stock works best.