Bio-Based Industries Association looks at the COVID-19 situation
BBIA is the UK trade body for companies producing bio-based and biodegradable products and promotes the circular bioeconomy.
On a straw poll of members we found some surprising information. Given that packaging and delivering food are classified as essential activities, many of our members are working flat out. Some of them produce packaging for food, others for medicines, others general grocery items like bags. The demand for these has gone through the roof and some of our members report being unable to supply enough product, given the unreliability of supply chains. One example is Wool Cool in Staffordshire that is working overtime to supply its insulated packaging for medicines. Another is Futamura in Cumbria, working 24/7 to produce packaging for food and medical supplies. Sphere Group is one of Europe's largest film suppliers (compostable and non) and they are massively busy and at times struggling to supply enough materials, especially due to partial closure of factories in France and Italy.
Others are not so well placed- those making (for example) compostable catering service products have seen a fall away in some demand as shops/bars/cafes/offices close, only partially substituted by home deliveries.
Like all moments of crisis there are those who find themselves in the centre of things and those struggling to keep afloat. What the new normal will look like in a year's time is however, anybody's guess!