Bioplastics: Challenges and Strategies for a Sustainable Economy

Experts and stakeholders gathered on May 9th at Agostinho da Silva Auditorium, at Lusófona University - Lisbon University Centre, for the event "Bioplastics in a Sustainable World: A workshop on barriers and solutions." The central objective was to address challenges and promote the viability of bioplastics, focusing on sharing current barriers and co-producing strategies for effective commercialization, essential for the transition to a circular and sustainable economy.

The workshop began with a welcome session, where Ana Penha, Circular Economy specialist at ADENE - Energy Agency, highlighted the opportunities and challenges inherent in integrating bioplastics into modern industry and their environmental implications. The debate intensified with the analysis of "Supply-side Challenges" and "Demand-side Challenges" of bioplastics, exploring obstacles in production, distribution, and market acceptance for these alternative materials.

The highlight of the event was the collaborative workshop, where participants including manufacturers, regulators, and representatives of environmental organizations worked together to identify viable solutions and formulate an action plan to overcome barriers to bioplastics adoption. This collaborative session was crucial for engaging all stakeholders and aligning strategies for a positive and lasting impact.

The proposals developed during the event were reviewed and refined, with participants emphasizing the need for stronger policies, incentives for innovation, and greater focus on education and awareness about the benefits of bioplastics.

The closing remarks marked the sense of a productive event, with a strong emphasis on collective action and implementation of the discussed recommendations, praised for its practical approach and for facilitating open dialogue among different stakeholders, establishing a solid foundation for future initiatives in the field of bioplastics.

Photography
Matilde César

Coverage
Francisco Souza

Edition
Nelson Barradas