In the lead-up to COP29, UNFCCC COP29 President Designate Mukhtar Babayev, Azerbaijan’s Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources, published a letter titled ‘In Solidarity for a Green World’, where he shared his vision for this year’s COP: enhance ambition and enable action.
This vision is one we share and has long shaped the culture we have at TotalEnergies Corbion. Because we must be ambitious to stay within the 1.5°C temperature goal. We must lower carbon footprints across global value chains, and bioplastics can play a big part in this. By aligning our core business with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), we are demonstrating that the products we create today can help solve the global challenges of tomorrow.
The role of Luminy® PLA bioplastics in a circular economy
The Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) for recycled Luminy® PLA, concludes that the advanced recycling of PLA as a production process has a lower impact compared to its production from virgin feedstock. Specifically, the Global Warming Potential (GWP) of Luminy®30% rPLA, considering its biogenic carbon content, is 0.19 kgCO2/kg of PLA, whereas virgin Luminy® PLA’s carbon footprint is 0.51 kgCO2/kg of PLA – still a 75% reduction in carbon emissions compared to conventional plastics.
Beyond compostability, Luminy® PLA is recyclable through both mechanical and chemical processes, a critical advantage for creating a circular economy. When sorted and recycled, PLA can either be remelted into new products or chemically reverted into its base components to start fresh.
This flexibility in recycling is crucial: it keeps materials in continuous use, reducing reliance on new resources and cutting down on landfill waste. TotalEnergies Corbion is actively working to improve sorting technology, collaborating with waste management partners to ensure PLA’s proper identification and processing, so it truly closes the loop on plastic waste - Technical quality of rPET. Technical quality of rPET that can be obtained from Dutch PET bottles that have been collected, sorted, and mechanically recycled, Wageningen University & Research (2016) https://edepot.wur.nl/392306.
Thanks to progressions in Near Infrared (NIR) technology, density separation, AI and robotics systems in waste management, bioplastics such as PLA can be easily separated from other types of polymers on the sorting line, including, among others, PET, PS and HDPE. Purities of 97% have been obtained using NIR sorting of PLA, higher than most traditional plastics.
Biomass growth absorbs carbon from the atmosphere; this biobased carbon present in the plant is later stored in PLA. Recycling PLA does not release the carbon back into the atmosphere and stores it for a longer amount of time.
In addition, we have seen PLA collect best practices in closed loops. For example, in hospitals, festivals, cultural events, sports competitions, hotels or from post-industrial waste.
Supporting global sustainability through alignment with the SDGs
TotalEnergies Corbion aligns Luminy® PLA’s production and lifecycle management with key UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), promoting both environmental and social progress.
• SDG 9 (industry, innovation and infrastructure): While the bioplastics industry has relied on innovation to reach full scale – there is still a need for industry and municipalities to focus on the infrastructure and innovation needed for bioplastics to reach its full impact.
• SDG 12 (Responsible consumption and production): By advancing circular solutions and reducing the carbon footprint of plastics, Luminy® exemplifies responsible production.
• SDG 13 (Climate Action): We actively work to reduce carbon emissions in global supply chains through our Luminy® portfolio. Our company was founded as a commitment to climate action and sustainable solutions following the Paris Agreement.
• SDG 17 (Partnership for the goals): At TotalEnergies Corbion, innovation and collaboration goes hand in hand. We know that partnerships are the only way in order to reach sustainable systemic solutions.
Building a circular future together at COP29
As we approach COP29, the call for enhanced ambition and meaningful action from President Designate Mukhtar Babayev resonates deeply with us at TotalEnergies Corbion. Bioplastics like Luminy® PLA exemplify how innovation can drive sustainable change, offering solutions that align with the vision of a circular economy. By focusing on reducing carbon emissions, enhancing recyclability and supporting global sustainability goals, we are helping build a future where plastics play a responsible role in society.
Together, we can address the pressing challenges of plastic waste and climate impact by embracing innovation, collaboration and action. Join us on this journey toward a more sustainable world, where bioplastics contribute to climate resilience and environmental stewardship.
For more information on our Luminy® bioplastics portfolio and its role in achieving a circular economy, visit us at www.totalenergies-corbion.com .