#Sustainable Solvents

[omshinde5145]

Green & Bio-solvents Market Size to Expand Significantly by the End of 2030

As the world turns its focus towards sustainability and environmental consciousness, the chemical industry is experiencing a paradigm shift. One of the most promising developments in this space is the rise of the Green & Bio-solvents Market. Green solvents, often derived from renewable resources like plant materials, and bio-solvents, designed to reduce environmental impact, are redefining how industries approach solvent use. This shift is not only vital for minimizing pollution but also offers significant opportunities for businesses to adopt eco-friendly alternatives.

What are Green and Bio-solvents?

Green solvents are environmentally friendly alternatives to traditional solvents, which are often derived from petroleum-based resources and can be harmful to both human health and the environment. Bio-solvents are a subset of green solvents and are typically derived from renewable biological sources, such as corn, sugarcane, or other agricultural by-products. These solvents are designed to break down more easily in the environment, reducing toxic residues and harmful emissions.

Read More about Sample Report: https://intentmarketresearch.com/request-sample/green-bio-solvents-market-3514.html

Common types of green and bio-solvents include:

Bioethanol

Lactic Acid

Ethyl Lactate

D-Limonene

Glycerol

Market Overview and Growth Drivers

The global green & bio-solvents market is growing at a rapid pace, driven by a combination of regulatory pressures, consumer demand, and corporate sustainability initiatives. Several factors contribute to the expanding market:

Stringent Environmental Regulations: Governments and regulatory bodies worldwide are implementing stricter environmental regulations, pushing industries to move away from traditional solvents that are volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and contributors to pollution.

Rising Demand for Eco-friendly Products: Industries such as pharmaceuticals, agriculture, paints and coatings, and food processing are adopting green solvents to meet consumer demands for sustainable and environmentally friendly products.

Technological Innovations: Advances in biotechnology and green chemistry are leading to the development of more efficient and cost-effective bio-solvents, making them more competitive with traditional solvents.

Growing Awareness of Health and Environmental Hazards: Traditional solvents are often associated with negative health effects, such as respiratory problems, skin irritation, and long-term toxicity. Bio-solvents offer a safer alternative for workers and the environment.

Key Industry Applications

Paints & Coatings: One of the largest markets for bio-solvents, these are used as replacements for petroleum-based solvents in paints, inks, and varnishes. Bio-based solvents help reduce harmful emissions of VOCs, making the production and application processes safer.

Pharmaceuticals & Cosmetics: The pharmaceutical industry benefits from bio-solvents in drug manufacturing, where purity and safety are critical. Bio-solvents are also increasingly popular in cosmetics, where consumers prefer natural, chemical-free products.

Agrochemicals: Bio-solvents are used in pesticide formulations to reduce the toxic load on the environment. They help in making agrochemical production greener and more sustainable.

Cleaning & Degreasing Products: Green and bio-solvents are key ingredients in biodegradable cleaning products. They offer effective cleaning without the negative environmental impacts of traditional chemical solvents.

Regional Insights

The green and bio-solvents market is growing worldwide, but some regions stand out:

North America: The U.S. and Canada are leading in terms of innovation and adoption, with stringent environmental policies driving the shift towards green chemicals. The presence of major bio-solvent producers is also boosting the market.

Europe: Europe, especially countries like Germany and France, is at the forefront of adopting sustainable solutions. The European Union's strong environmental regulations and consumer preference for eco-friendly products contribute to the growth in this region.

Asia-Pacific: The APAC region, particularly China and India, is experiencing a surge in demand for bio-solvents due to their large industrial sectors. Government initiatives promoting sustainability are fostering the growth of this market.

Ask for Customization Report: https://intentmarketresearch.com/ask-for-customization/green-bio-solvents-market-3514.html

Challenges Facing the Market

Despite its promising future, the green & bio-solvents market faces several challenges:

High Production Costs: Bio-solvents are often more expensive to produce than traditional solvents, making them less attractive to cost-sensitive industries.

Limited Awareness: In some regions, the benefits of green and bio-solvents are not widely understood, which can limit market penetration.

Performance Gaps: While bio-solvents are improving, they may not always match the performance of traditional solvents, particularly in specialized industrial applications.

The Road Ahead

The future of the green & bio-solvents market is promising, with continued growth expected as industries, governments, and consumers push for more sustainable practices. Ongoing research and development will likely lead to further innovations that improve the efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and performance of bio-solvents.

As the world continues to grapple with environmental challenges, the shift toward green chemistry and the broader adoption of bio-solvents represent a crucial step in reducing our chemical footprint. In an era where sustainability is no longer optional but essential, the green & bio-solvents market is set to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of multiple industries.

[burjeiffelgraphicsblog]

UV printing is the latest game-changer, but can eco-solvent printing keep up? Let’s dive into the details before this discussion becomes dry.

The green factor

Eco-solvent printing has fewer emissions but still impacts the environment and needs proper disposal. Ensure good ventilation indoors 

Unlike traditional methods UV printers don’t release harmful chemicals when they dry.

At the first blink

Eco-solvent and UV prints differ noticeably at first glance

1.Embossing and Gloss: 

Eco-solvent prints come in matte or semi-gloss. High gloss needs extra laminates, and embossing isn't available.

Meanwhile, most UV prints are delivered directly from the printer with a high-gloss finish and embossing features.

2.Color and sharpness:

Sure, eco-solvent ink gets the job done with decent colors, but it lacks white and can't print on black items, nor does it offer laser-sharp details.

UV inks dry instantly to produce vivid colors and razor-sharp lines with the added benefit of white.

The gold standard

1.Durability:

more protective coatings may be required to improve durability for a eco solvent ink print.

The prints made by UV are very hardy, resistant to scratch, fading, and weather. The ink is more resistant to environmental factors.

2.Versatility:

Eco solvent ink printers can only support some media and have problems with some surfaces.

UV printers work with a variety of rigid and non-porous materials without the requirement for any additional coatings.

Opinion In brief, UV prints are quick, versatile, and eco-friendly, whereas eco-solvent prints are slower and still contain some polluting compounds. Next time you're ordering prints, be sure to ask if they're UV or not. Got printing questions? Our team is ready to help you find the perfect solution. Contact us today and say goodbye to confusion!Lets talk

🌐 www.burjgraphic.com

[conservallama]

You know you want to use them, but man do they just not work how you want them to yet, do they?

___ Follow for more memes from the GLAM world 🖼📙🗄🏛

GLAM - 🖼Galleries📙Libraries🗄Archives🏛Museums . . .

[saumitgroup]

Metal Extraction Via Hydrometallurgy

Driving excellence in non-ferrous metal extraction through hydrometallurgy. Discover how our tailored solutions can enhance your extraction process while reducing environmental impact.

For more info, visit https://www.saumitgroup.com/

[agaselectronicmaterials]

Learn essential waste management practices for chemical manufacturing from A-Gas Electronic Materials. This guide covers waste minimisation, segregation, recycling, safe storage, and compliance. Enhance sustainability and efficiency in your operations.

[ceresana]

Refining Waste: Ceresana Expects Growth in the Global Market for Biobased Solvents

Water is the best solvent, but it can't do everything. Whether it's liquefying acrylic paints, removing nail polish or even removing asphalt residue, strong chemicals are often needed. Increasingly, industrial solvents are no longer made only from coal, crude oil or natural gas, but from renewable raw materials. To reduce the ecological footprint, biogenic components are also increasingly being added to conventional petrochemical solvents. Ceresana's new market report "Biobased Solvents" forecasts that the production volume of biosolvents will increase significantly: Analysts expect annual growth of 3.4% worldwide, and more than 5% in Asia. Sales generated with biosolvents are expected to rise to around USD 8.9 billion worldwide by 2032.

Further information about the new market report “Biobased Solvents“: https://ceresana.com/en/produkt/biobased-solvents-market-report-world

[medicaldevicesindustrynews]

Green & Bio-Solvents Market: Sustainable Solutions for a Cleaner Future

The total size of the green & bio-solvents market was USD 3,128.5 million in the past, and it will propel at 6.1% CAGR in the years to come, to reach USD 5,322.2 million by 2030, as per P&S Intelligence. The industry development is credited to the and environmental and health concerns related to synthetic solvents. Paints & coatings dominated the industry in the past, with around USD 1.2…

[deltaremediation]

Environmental Cleanup: Bioremediation as an Eco-Friendly Solution

Bioremediation is an eco-friendly approach that uses microorganisms or their enzymes to clean up environmental pollutants. It is a sustainable and cost-effective method to treat contaminated soil, water, and air. Bioremediation can be applied to a variety of pollutants, including petroleum, pesticides, and solvents. The process involves various biochemical reactions, microbial interactions, and environmental factors.

The principles of bioremediation are based on the natural processes of microbial degradation and plant uptake. Microorganisms have evolved to use various organic compounds as sources of energy and nutrients. They have a diverse range of enzymes that can break down complex molecules into simpler forms that can be utilized by the cell. In bioremediation, microbial degradation is enhanced by adding nutrients, oxygen, and other growth-promoting factors to the contaminated site. This can be achieved by various techniques, such as bioaugmentation, biostimulation, and phytoremediation.

There are several types of bioremediation techniques that can be applied to different types of pollutants and environments. The most common ones are in situ bioremediation, ex situ bioremediation, bioventing, biosparging, and bioreactors.

Bioremediation has been applied to a wide range of environmental pollutants and industries. Petroleum, heavy metal, pesticide, industrial waste, and landfill leachate contamination are some of the common applications of bioremediation.

Compared to traditional remediation techniques, such as excavation and incineration, bioremediation offers several benefits. It is sustainable, cost-effective, versatile, and non-invasive. Therefore, bioremediation is a promising eco-friendly solution for environmental cleanup.

[consreading]

Fife, Gwendolyn R., ed. 2021. Greener Solvents in Conservation: An Introductory Guide. London: Archetype

[mindblowingscience]

In a major stride towards sustainable industrial fermentation, a team of researchers at Delft University of Technology (TU Delft) in The Netherlands, has unveiled pioneering advancements in the purification of isopropanol and acetone from the fermentation of waste gases. The study, published in the Journal of Chemical Technology and Biotechnology, introduces novel processes that promise to elevate the efficiency and viability of large-scale production. Isopropanol and acetone have a combined global market of $10 billion. Both chemicals are important industry solvents, and isopropanol also has significant applications as a pharmaceutical ingredient due to its low toxicity. Conventional production relies on fossil carbon-dependent methods, which are becoming less favorable as stricter environmental regulations come into place.

Continue Reading.

[materialsscienceandengineering]

New surfactant from cashew nut shell liquid boosts industrial reactions

Industries and chemical labs synthesize a wide variety of organic molecules every day. Most of these chemical reactions happen in the liquid phase to allow the substrates to interact easily. However, many substrates and catalysts are sensitive to water and undergo side reactions, yielding unwanted products. This forces synthetic chemists to use toxic organic solvents. More than 80% of the waste generated in chemical processes is derived from such solvents—and not all of it is disposed of properly. A team of researchers from the Department of Inorganic and Physical Chemistry (IPC), Indian Institute of Science (IISc) has now come up with a solution. They have synthesized a surfactant from agricultural waste to help catalyze industrially relevant reactions in water instead of organic solvents, through a process called micellar catalysis. The study was published in ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering.

Read more.

[solarpunkbusiness]

Electrochemistry helps clean up electronic waste recycling, precious metal mining

A new method safely extracts valuable metals locked up in discarded electronics and low-grade ore using dramatically less energy and fewer chemical materials than current methods, report University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign researchers in the journal Nature Chemical Engineering. 

Gold and platinum group metals such as palladium, platinum and iridium are in high demand for use in electronics. However, sourcing these metals from mining and current electronics recycling techniques is not sustainable and comes with a high carbon footprint. Gold used in electronics accounts for 8% of the metal’s overall demand, and 90% of the gold used in electronics ends up in U.S. landfills yearly, the study reports. 

The study, led by chemical and biomolecular engineering professor Xiao Su, describes the first precious metal extraction and separation process fully powered by the inherent energy of electrochemical liquid-liquid extraction, or e-LLE. The method uses a reduction-oxidation reaction to selectively extract gold and platinum group metal ions from a liquid containing dissolved electronic waste. 

In the lab, the team dissolved catalytic converters, electronic waste such as old circuit boards, and simulated mining ores containing gold and platinum group metals using an organic solvent. The system then streams the dissolved electronics or ores over specialized electrodes in three consecutive extraction columns: one for oxidation, one for leaching and one for reduction. 

“The metals are then converted to solids using electroplating, and the leftover liquid can be treated to capture the remaining metals and recycle the organic solvent,” Su said. “The stream containing the organic extractant is then pumped back to the first extraction column, closing the loop, which greatly minimizes waste.”

An economic analysis of the new approach showed that the new method runs at a cost of two orders of magnitude lower than current industrial processes.

“The social value of this work is really its ability to produce green gold quickly in a single step, greatly improving transparency and trust in conflict free recycled precious metals,”

said postdoctoral researcher Stephen Cotty, the first author of the study. 

Su said one of the many advantages of this new method is that it can run continuously in a green fashion and is highly selective in terms of how it extracts precious metals. “We can pull gold and platinum group metals out of the stream, but we can also separate them from other metals like silver, nickel, copper and other less valuable metals to increase purity greatly – something other methods struggle with.”

The team said that they are working to perfect this method by improving the engineering design and the solvent selection.

[rjzimmerman]

Is Your Water Bottle Really Made From Recycled Plastic? (New York Times)

Excerpt from this New York Times story:

The plastic CamelBak bottles displayed in a Target in East Hanover, N.J., offer a promise to ecologically conscious buyers. On the front of each is a bright blue sticker with the words “Tritan Renew made with 50% recycled material.”

In reality, however, the amount of recycled plastic that went into making the bottles may be nowhere near 50 percent.

Eastman Chemical, a company with $9.2 billion in annual revenues based in Kingsport, Tenn., introduced the durable plastic called Tritan Renew four years ago, telling manufacturers that it was made with “up to 50 percent recycled content from waste plastic.” It quickly caught on with companies trying to reach their sustainability goals or eager to appeal to consumers who want to keep plastics out of landfills and oceans.

Dozens of brands now use the material. CamelBak and Nalgene use it in sports water bottles. Ferragamo offers Tritan Renew sunglasses. Stanley Black & Decker even made a new power tool line called Reviva from the plastic. But there is no guarantee that any particular bottle, pair of sunglasses or power tool actually contains recycled plastic.

“It could be a very low percentage that is physically in there; it could be a high percentage,” said C. Jason Pierce, a senior technical leader for the Circular Economy and Life Cycle Assessment at Eastman Chemical, when asked this spring about the amount of recycled plastic in Tritan Renew that is used to make water bottles sold by CamelBak and others. “You can’t know how much.”

So how does Eastman make its claim that Tritan Renew contains up to 50 percent recycled material? It uses a green certification system called “mass balance.”

That methodology allows companies like Eastman to build up credits for recycling plastic and then apply them to the manufacture of any number of products, regardless of how much recycled material they contain. (More on this later.)

Critics argue that mass balance accounting opens the door to corporate greenwashing and creates a system where consumers don’t know whether or how much recycled material was used in products that claim to be sustainable or “green.”

“If you divorce the recycled content from the physical product, and just start using these accounting schemes, you destroy consumer confidence in recycling,” said Lee Bell, a policy adviser to the International Pollutants Elimination Network, a global network of advocacy groups that works on pollution issues. “It effectively destroys truth in labeling.”

That view, the company argues, takes too narrow a perspective. Consumers can be assured “that they are directly supporting recycling that really did happen,” Mr. Pierce said. “Materials that would have otherwise gone to the landfill or incinerator are being recycled. It’s just a little bit of a different way of thinking about recycling. More of a bigger picture or systems view of it. ”

To grasp what mass balance accounting entails, you first have to know a bit about the two methods of plastic recycling.

The first, which has been around for decades, involves sorting, washing, shredding and melting down plastic waste and reshaping it into pellets. Much of the recycled plastic produced by this method, called mechanical recycling, is of lesser quality than the original. And only certain types of plastics can be recycled mechanically.

The second, newer method, chemical recycling, is an energy-intensive process that typically uses high temperatures, pressurization and chemical solvents or other chemical processes not to simply melt plastic but to break it down into its chemical building blocks. The recycled chemicals are then mixed with all sorts of other materials, including fossil-fuel-derived virgin plastic, to make new products.

This year, Eastman began operating one of the largest chemical plastic recycling plants in the world. Near the company’s headquarters in Tennessee, the plant uses methanol, heat and pressure to transform plastic waste. It takes plastics not accepted in most curbside recycling programs, like clamshell containers, colored plastics used in food and beverage packaging, and plastic fibers used in carpets and textiles.

Eastman wants to be able to market as recycled the products made with this material. But while it’s theoretically possible to physically track plastic pellets from recycled water bottles to a new life as plastic lawn furniture, it’s virtually impossible to trace basic chemicals dissolved from plastic waste and mixed with other materials to any particular batch of plastic products.

[dandelionsresilience]

Good News - April 22-28

Like these weekly compilations? Support me on Ko-fi! Also, if you tip me on here or Ko-fi, at the end of the month I'll send you a link to all of the articles I found but didn't use each week - almost double the content! (I'm new to taking tips on here; if it doesn't show me your username or if you have DM's turned off, please send me a screenshot of your payment)

1. Millions Of Maggots Donated To Charity In Honour Of The Maggot King

“[Blizzard Entertainment] donated millions of maggots to Tiggywinkles UK, a leading wildlife hospital, […] in honor of Duriel, the Maggot King, a notorious character in the Diablo series. […] This significant contribution is expected to feed the patients at Tiggywinkles for two years.”

2. New circuit boards can be repeatedly recycled

“A team led by researchers at the University of Washington developed a new PCB that performs on par with traditional materials and can be recycled repeatedly with negligible material loss. Researchers used a solvent that transforms a type of vitrimer—a cutting-edge class of sustainable polymers—to a jelly-like substance without damaging it, allowing the solid components to be plucked out for reuse or recycling.”

3. How a Cloned Ferret Inspired a DNA Bank for Endangered Species

“This black-footed ferret (Mustela nigripes) [is] the first endangered species in the U.S. to ever be successfully cloned […] from [a] cryogenically preserved cell line, obtained from a ferret named Willa, who lived in Wyoming in the 1980s. [… T]he FWS [is now] on a major project to cryogenically store tissue from every endangered species in the U.S., [… as] “an insurance policy against future loss of biodiversity in the wild.””

4. Maine Signs Trans And Abortion Sanctuary Bill Into Law, Despite Violent Threats

“[The new law] states that criminal and civil actions against providers and patients are not enforceable if the provision or access to that care occurred within Maine’s borders, asserting jurisdiction over those matters. It bars cooperation with out-of-state subpoenas and arrest warrants for gender-affirming care and abortion that happen within the state.”

5. $70M for Fish Passage Projects Address Climate Resilience, Strengthen Local Economies

“The Department of the Interior today announced more than $70 million […] that will improve fish passage around […] barriers fragmenting the nation’s rivers and streams [… as an] “investment to restore our nation’s rivers and streams, safeguard endangered fish species, protect Indigenous subsistence practices and provide communities with increased opportunities for outdoor recreation and economic growth,” said Secretary Deb Haaland.”

6. A Golden Age of Renewables Is Beginning, and California Is Leading the Way

“California—the fifth-largest economy in the world—has experienced a record-breaking string of days in which the combined generation of wind, geothermal, hydroelectric and solar electricity has exceeded demand on the main electricity grid for anywhere from 15 minutes to 9.25 hours per day.”

7. Collaborative conservation efforts keep lake sturgeon off the endangered species list

“The Service’s 12-month finding [that these sturgeon are not endangered] shows ongoing management efforts, such as fish stocking, have contributed to the conservation and resiliency of the species. “Today’s announcement shows the power of collaborative conservation and the impact it can have for species like the lake sturgeon,” said Midwest Regional Director Will Meeks.”

8. French municipalities bordering Luxembourg to offer free transport to commuters

“Luxembourg is the only country in the world to offer entirely free public transport. […S]ix French communities located near the border and many of whose residents work in Luxembourg have decided to band together and also offer a free shuttle for daily workers. […] Last year, governments in the two countries said they would work to increase train services to run every 10 minutes between Metz and Luxembourg City by 2030. There’s also a plan to extend Luxembourg City’s tram service to reach all the way to the border – a trip that would take only 30 minutes when ready.”

9. Solar is about to get a lot more affordable for low-income households

“The EPA granted 49 state and territory awards totaling $5.5 billion, six tribal awards worth more than $500 million, and five multistate awards amounting to $1 billion. Together, the awards cover all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia. All of the funding is dedicated to low-income and disadvantaged households.”

10. Amsterdam will cover cost of changing one's gender on documents

“[T]he city’s residents will be able to change the gender on their birth certificate and Basic Registration of Persons (BRP) free of charge. [… T]he local government will also reimburse (part of) the costs of a new passport, identity card or driver's license.”

April 15-21 news here | (all credit for images and written material can be found at the source linked; I don’t claim credit for anything but curating.)

[panjet-harry]

"Eco-solvent inks in 2024: sustainability and high quality change the printing industry"

In an era where environmental concerns are at the forefront, the emergence of eco-solvent ink represents a significant milestone in the printing industry.

Unlike its counterparts, UV and water-based inks, eco-solvent ink is a composition of non-toxic solvents and natural pigments.

Please take note: a remarkable 50% of its components derive from renewable resources. With a minimal volatile organic compound (VOC) content, this ink is virtually odorless.

The Birth of Eco-Solvent Ink:

Since the advent of inkjet printers in the 1990s, the ink industry has grappled with toxicity, irritation, and high pollution.

However, through three generations of technological evolution and the relentless efforts of scientists, the printing world has been introduced to a game-changer – the non-toxic, non-irritating, and odorless eco-solvent ink. It signifies the industry's definitive break from the stigma of high pollution associated with traditional printing practices.

Cost Control and Print Quality of Eco-Solvent Ink:

The high cost of traditional inks has long been a bone of contention in the printing industry. Eco-solvent ink has opened a window of opportunity, epitomized by the phrase “a long slope with thick snow.” The substantial investment required yields a steady and stable return. Boasting excellent adhesion and vibrant color, eco-solvent ink has solidified its position in an era where print quality is a critical differentiator.

Applications of Eco-Solvent Ink:

A chasm exists between traditional inks and eco-solvent inks in the industry. The market for eco-solvent inks spans a wide range, from outdoor billboards to textile banners and car stickers, showcasing its boundless adaptability. It also defines the contours of modern printing practices:

Indoor and outdoor advertising and signage printing Automobile body stickers and wraps Industrial labeling and packaging printing Textile and eco-friendly fabric printing

Amidst the daunting challenges, from increasingly stringent regulations to technological iterations, our company, Panjet(https://www.pan-jet.com/), remains committed to the path of green and sustainable development. We stand as your provider of high-quality printing ink solutions.

[beardedmrbean]

French farming unions are taking aim at the European Union’s free-trade agreements, which they say open the door to unfair competition from products arriving from overseas. At a time when the EU is urging farmers to adopt more sustainable – and sometimes more costly – agricultural practices, unions say these trade deals are making it hard for them to stay solvent.

French farmers say that one of their biggest fears is that Chilean apples, Brazilian grains and Canadian beef will flood the European market, thereby undermining their livelihoods. France’s farmers continued to demonstrate on the country’s motorways on Wednesday, protesting against rising costs, over-regulation and free-trade agreements –partnerships between the EU and exporting nations that the farming unions say leads to unfair competition. 

The EU has signed several free-trade agreements in recent years, all with the objective of facilitating the movement of goods and services. But farmers say the deals bring with them insurmountable challenges.

"These agreements aim to reduce customs duties, with maximum quotas for certain agricultural products and non-tariff barriers," said Elvire Fabry, senior researcher at the Jacques Delors Institute, a French think-tank dedicated to European affairs. "They also have an increasingly broad regulatory scope to promote European standards for investment, protection of intellectual property, geographical indications and sustainable development standards."

South American trade deal in the crosshairs

Some non-EU countries – such as Norway, Liechtenstein and Iceland – maintain comprehensive free-trade agreements with the EU because they are part of the European Economic Area. This allows them to benefit from the free movement of goods, services, capital and people.

Other nations farther afield have signed more variable agreements with the EU, including Canada, Japan, Mexico, Vietnam and Ukraine. The EU also recently signed an accord with Kenya and a deal with New Zealand that will come into force this year; negotiations are also under way with India and Australia.    

However, a draft agreement between the EU and the South American trade bloc Mercosur is creating the most concern. Under discussion since the 1990s, this trade partnership between Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay and Paraguay would create the world's largest free-trade area, a market encompassing 780 million people. 

French farmers are particularly concerned about the deal’s possible effect on agriculture. The most recent version of the text introduces quotas for Mercosur countries to export 99,000 tonnes of beef, 100,000 tonnes of poultry and 180,000 tonnes of sugar per year, with little or no customs duties imposed. In exchange, duties would also be lowered on exports from the EU on many “protected designation of origin” (PDO) products. 

At a time when the EU is urging farmers to adopt more sustainable agricultural practices, French unions say these agreements would open the door to massive imports – at more competitive prices – of products that do not meet the same environmental standards as those originating in Europe. French farmers are calling out what they say is unfair competition from farmers in South America who can grow GMO crops and use growth-promoting antibiotics on livestock, which is banned in the EU. 

Trade unions from various sectors went into action after the European Commission informed them on January 24 that negotiations with Mercosur could be concluded "before the end of this mandate", i.e., before the European Parliament elections in June.      

The FNSEA, France’s biggest farming union, immediately called for a "clear rejection of free-trade agreements" while the pro-environmental farming group Confédération Paysanne (Farmers' Confederation) called for an "immediate end to negotiations" on this type of agreement.   

A mixed record

"In reality, the impact of these free-trade agreements varies from sector to sector," said Fabry. "Negotiations prior to agreements aim to calibrate the opening up of trade to limit the negative impact on the most exposed sectors. And, at the same time, these sectors can benefit from other agreements. In the end, it's a question of finding an overall balance."

This disparity is glaringly obvious in the agricultural sector. "The wine and spirits industry as well as the dairy industry stand to gain more than livestock farmers, for example," said Fabry. These sectors are the main beneficiaries of free-trade agreements, according to a 2023 report by the French National Assembly.

"The existence of trade agreements that allow customs duty differentials to be eliminated is an 'over-determining factor' in the competitiveness of French wines," wrote FranceAgriMer, a national establishment for agriculture and maritime products under the authority of the French ministry of agriculture in a 2021 report. The majority of free-trade agreements lower or abolish customs duties to allow the export of many PDO products, a category to which many wines belong.

However, the impact on meat is less clear-cut. While FranceAgriMer says the balance between imports and exports appears to be in the EU's favour for pork, poultry exports seem to be declining as a result of the agreements. Hence the fears over the planned treaty with New Zealand, which provides for 36,000 tonnes of mutton to be imported into the EU, equivalent to 45% of French production in 2022. France,however, still has a large surplus of grains except for soya. 

‘A bargaining chip’

Beyond the impact on agriculture, "this debate on free-trade agreements must take into account other issues", said Fabry. "We are in a situation where the EU is seeking to secure its supplies and in particular its supplies of strategic minerals. Brazil's lithium, cobalt, graphite and other resource reserves should not be overlooked."

The agreement with Chile should enable strategic minerals to be exported in exchange for agricultural products. Germany strongly supports the agreement with Mercosur, as it sees it as an outlet for its industrial sectors, according to Fabry.

"In virtually all free-trade agreements, agriculture is always used as a bargaining chip in exchange for selling cars or Airbus planes," Véronique Marchesseau, general-secretary of the Confédération Paysanne, told AFP.

Michèle Boudoin, president of the French National Sheep Federation, told AFP that the agreement with New Zealand will "destabilise the lamb market in France".  

"We know that Germany needs to export its cars, that France needs to sell its wheat, and we're told that we need an ally in the Pacific tocounter China and Russia. But if that is the case, then we need help to be able to produce top-of-the-line lamb, for example," she said.

Finally, "there is a question of influence", said Fabry. "These agreements also remain a way for the EU to promote its environmental standards to lead its partners along the path of ecological transition, even if this has to be negotiated," said Fabry. 

Marc Fesneau, the French minister of agriculture, made the same argument. "In most cases, the agreements have been beneficial, including to French agriculture," Fesneau wrote on X last week, adding: "They will be even more so if we ensure that our standards are respected."

Mercosur negotiations suspended? 

As the farmers’ promised “siege” of Paris and other major locations across France continues, the French government has been trying to reassure agricultural workers about Mercosur, even though President Emmanuel Macron and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva relaunched negotiations in December. "France is clearly opposed to the signing of the Mercosur treaty," Prime Minister Gabriel Attal acknowledged last week.

The Élysée Palace even said on Monday evening that EU negotiations with the South American bloc had been suspended because of France's opposition to the treaty. The conditions are "not ripe" for concluding the negotiations, said Eric Mamer, spokesman for the European Commission. "However, discussions are ongoing." 

Before being adopted, the agreement would have to be passed unanimously by the European Parliament, then ratified individually by the 27 EU member states.