Programs & Initiatives
Policy and Advocacy
Equipping Leaders for Change: PHA Masterclass
Community, Communication and Education Workstream
Status: 2020 - ongoing
Objective: Educate professionals on PHA technology and its potential.
Activity: Specialized training is offered through the PHA Masterclass, with a focus on production, market trends, and regulations.
Outcome: The Masterclass builds a knowledgeable workforce equipped to drive the bio-based plastics sector forward.
Contact: anke.deboer@gopha.org
Advocating for Natural Materials: The Natural Polymers Coalition
Objective: Promote global policies supporting sustainable natural polymers.
Activity: The coalition pushes for flexible regulations and clear definitions of natural polymers, working to ensure that materials like PHA are recognized for their sustainability.
Outcome: Collaborations with policymakers will foster regulatory support for renewable and biodegradable materials, advancing circular economy goals.
Contact: anindya.mukherjee@gopha.org
Policy and Advocacy Workstream
Status: 2024 - ongoing
Addressing Plastic Waste in Crisis Zones: ANIPH
(Avoiding the Negative Impacts Produced by Plastic Materials in Humanitarian Contexts)
Science, Systems and Programs Workstream
Status: 2024 - ongoing
Objective: Reduce plastic pollution in humanitarian contexts.
Activity: ANIPH is a Horizon 2025 project aimed at replacing single-use fossil-based plastics with biodegradable PHA materials in healthcare and packaging. The project leverages AI to predict biodegradability and ecotoxicity, ensuring sustainable practices in crisis zones.
Outcome: ANIPH will help reduce environmental impacts in disaster and conflict settings by introducing sustainable materials that align with circular economy principles.
Contact: maximilian.lackner@gopha.org
Powering Sustainability with Science: LCA Project with Maribor University
Science, Systems and Programs Workstream
Status: ongoing
Objective: Address the data gap on PHA’s environmental footprint.
Activity: The University of Maribor is conducting a comprehensive Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) to evaluate the sustainability of PHA products. This analysis benchmarks the environmental performance of PHA compared to traditional plastics.
Outcome: Once complete, this project will provide critical data to policymakers and industry stakeholders to validate PHA as a sustainable solution.
Contact: maximilian.lackner@gopha.org
Objective: Test the marine biodegradability of PHA/PLA blends.
Activity: In partnership with NIOZ Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research, GO!PHA is set to study the biodegradability of PHA/PLA blends in marine environments.To precisely assess the biodegradation of PHA/PLA blends, and to elucidate their marine biodegradation mechanisms, we are proposing laboratory tests using a sea water/sediment inoculum.
Outcome: The findings will inform material design strategies, ensuring that blended bioplastics meet sustainability goals for various applications.
Contact: anindya.mukherjee@gopha.org
Objective: Unite global leaders to share innovations in PHA.
Activity: GO!PHA is hosting the biannual PHA World Congress, a key event for industry leaders, researchers, and policymakers to showcase new developments and foster collaboration.
Outcome: The Congress is a catalyst for knowledge exchange and partnerships, promoting PHA as a vital part of the sustainable materials landscape.
Contact: anke.deboer@gopha.org
Policy and Advocacy Workstream
Status: 2024
Community, Communication and Education
Streamlining Global Trade: HS Codes for UNCTAD
Objective: Simplify international trade of bio-based, biodegradable plastics like PHA.
Activity: GO!PHA developed a fact sheet advocating for a dedicated HS code for PHA to support improved classification of sustainable materials in trade systems.
Outcome: A specific HS code for PHA would facilitate easier, more transparent trade of sustainable plastics, promoting their global adoption.
Contact: saloni.sharma@gopha.org
Advocating for a Global Plastics Solution: UN Treaty on Plastics
Policy and Advocacy Workstream
Status: 2022 - ongoing
Objective: Support global efforts to reduce plastic pollution through bio-based materials.
Activity: As official observers of the United Nations Treaty on Plastics Pollution (Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee, INC-3), GO!PHA actively engages with experts to educate stakeholders on the importance of alternatives like PHA. We collaborate on action points, advocating for the inclusion of bio-based and biodegradable solutions in treaty negotiations.
Outcome: Our involvement strengthens global policy frameworks, ensuring PHA and other sustainable materials play a crucial role in international plastic reduction efforts.
Contact: saloni.sharma@gopha.org
Driving Knowledge Forward: Science, Systems, and Programs
Science, Systems and Programs Workstream
Status: 2024 - ongoing
Objective: Foster knowledge exchange across scientific, industrial, and policy landscapes.
Activity: Knowledge Sharing Initiative serves as a hub for cutting-edge research and system innovations in PHA, connecting scientists, policymakers, and industry leaders to share best practices and research.
Outcome: By disseminating insights, the initiative helps pave the way for the wider adoption of PHA in circular economies
Contact: maximilian.lackner@gopha.org
Exploring New Material Frontiers: PHA/PLA Blends Study
Science, Systems and Programs Workstream
Status: Upcoming
Global Collaboration at the PHA World Congress 2025
Community, Communication and Education Workstream
Status: 3 & 4 September 2025
Objective: Foster bio-based material adoption to combat plastic waste.
Activity: In collaboration with the USDA, a summit was convened to focus on bio-based alternatives like PHA. The event gathered key policymakers, industry leaders, and researchers to explore policy pathways aimed at accelerating the adoption of sustainable materials.
Outcome: Insights gained will guide future policies and support the transition to bio-based plastics.
Contact: anindya.mukherjee@gopha.org
Shaping Policy: USDA National Policy Summit on Bioplastics
Community, Communication and Education Workstream
Status: 2024
Industry Day at ISBP 2024: Accelerating Biopolymer Adoption
Community, Communication and Education Workstream
Status: 2024
Objective: Facilitate collaboration across science and industry for biopolymer innovation.
Activity: GO!PHA organized the Industry Day at the International Symposium on Biopolymers (ISBP), bringing together researchers, innovators, and industry leaders to exchange knowledge on biopolymer advancements and scaling.
Outcome:This initiative will drive advancements in the commercialization of biopolymers like PHA, promoting more sustainable material alternatives.
Contact: anke.deboer@gopha.org
Science, Systems and Programs
Setting the Record Straight: PHA is Natural Program
Science, Systems and Programs Workstream
Status: 2023
Objective: Educate stakeholders on the natural origins of PHA.
Activity: The "PHA is Natural" campaign clarifies that PHA is produced by living organisms and fully biodegradable.
Outcome: By dispelling misconceptions, the program supports PHA's recognition as a key solution to reducing plastic pollution.
Contact: gopha@gopha.org