The Transition towards a Sustainable Bioeconomy: Bioplastics in Germany and Italy-A Systematic Literature Review

Abstract

The unsustainable exploitation of the earth’s fossil resources compromises the ability of future generations to meet their own needs given associated grand challenges such as climate change and food security. Therefore, a paradigmatic shift from the current fossil economy to the more sustainable alternative of a bioeconomy necessitated. As progress is being made in the transition towards a sustainable bioeconomy, one significant goal is the reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions through the use of bio-based products such as bioplastics. In this study, a comparative analysis of factors propelling the bioeconomy transition in Germany and Italy is conducted through the lenses of bioplastics leveraging a systematic literature review. A significant finding of this study is that, while both countries do not possess a dedicated bioplastics strategy given the nascence of the bioeconomy in general, they demonstrate commitment to bioplastics use and diffusion. Of the two countries, Italy assumes leadership in the bioplastic transition. However macroeconomic factors, technical innovation in feedstock production and legislation were identified as the main drivers of the transition in the two countries.