News
Research project investigates continued biodegradation of compostable plastics in soil
Berlin / Vienna, 21 April 2026 - A new research project aims to study the biodegradation of particles from compostable plastic films under realistic conditions in soil. The recently launched German Austrian joint project “Continued biodegradation of fragments from certified compostable plastic films in soil under real conditions” seeks to gain scientifically sound insights into…
6th Soil Protection Report: Need for Action on Plastics in Soil
The German Federal Government has recently published the 6th Soil Protection Report. It provides a comprehensive overview of current activities and developments in soil protection. Despite numerous advances, the report makes it clear that the need for action remains high, particularly with regard to the entry of plastics into soils. Plastics in soil: an underestimated…
Implementing the PPWR: Associations demand mandatory compostable fruit and vegetable bags
For less plastic in biowaste and more circular economy With the new EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), the EU recognises the role of industrially compostable plastics for certain packaging applications, aiming to improve separate collection of biowaste and reduce microplastic pollution. Today, the Initiative natürliche Kreislaufwirtschaft e. V. (INAK), together with the German…
Steinfurt Takes 2nd Place in Organic Waste Bin Campaign – Compostable Collection Bags Support Clean Sorting
We congratulate Entsorgungsgesellschaft Steinfurt mbH (EGST) on achieving 2nd place in the competition “Germany’s Best Organic Waste Bin Campaign”! Through the use of certified industrially compostable organic waste collection bags, bin inspections, and excellent public outreach, contamination in Steinfurt County has been significantly reduced in recent years. Some municipalities initially had contamination rates of around…
Stricter Control Values for Organic Waste Collection from May 1, 2025
From May 1, 2025, stricter limits for contaminants, particularly plastics, in organic waste will come into effect. The use of certified industrially compostable organic waste collection bags will remain permitted, as they significantly contribute to increasing the amount of properly separated organic waste and reducing contamination from conventional, non-biodegradable plastic bags in organic waste bins.…
Biodegradable plastics for agriculture and forestry
Katrin Schwede writes in Plastverarbeiter about biodegradable plastics for agriculture and forestry: "Microplastics are a cross-cutting issue that affects many areas of life but still needs to be much more consciously acknowledged by the public. The best place to start is where good alternatives already exist. In agriculture, forestry, horticulture, and organic waste collection, this…
Carmen Michels Takes Over INAK Chairmanship from Peter Brunk
Berlin, October 16, 2024 – Carmen Michels (FKuR Kunststoffe GmbH) took over as chairperson of the Initiative for Natural Circular Economy e.V. (INAK) on October 11, 2024. She succeeds Peter Brunk (BIOTEC Biologische Naturverpackungen GmbH & Co. KG.), who had successfully led and significantly shaped the initiative (formerly the Verbund kompostierbare Produkte e.V.) since 2018.…
“Shaping the Future through Innovation” – Successful INAK Launch Event
The debut was a success: On October 10, the inaugural event of the Initiative for Natural Circular Economy (INAK) took place at BASF's headquarters in Berlin. Under the motto "Shaping the Future through Innovation," around 50 representatives from business, politics, and science gathered to discuss the key role of the biological circular economy and the…
Launch of the “Initiative natürliche Kreislaufwirtschaft e.V. (INAK)” – Biodegradable Products to Prevent Microplastics
Berlin, 7 Oktober 2024 –The Initiative natürliche Kreislaufwirtschaft e.V. (INAK, engl: Initiative for Natural Circular Economy) is an association of companies, certifiers, and waste management organisations, originating from the former association for compostable products, Verbund kompostierbare Produkte e.V. The aim of INAK is to develop sustainable and circular product solutions while reducing environmental pollution caused…
National Circular Economy Strategy: Placing Greater Focus on the Key Role of the Biological Cycle
Berlin, 08.07.2024 – In its statement on the draft of the National Circular Economy Strategy (NKWS), the Association for Compostable Products e.V. (Verbund) highlights the key role of the biological circular economy and calls for concrete measures to reduce microplastic pollution in the environment. “We welcome the fact that the federal government is committed in…