There has been a general tendency of ever-increasing intensive use of existing agricultural areas. Critics denounce the use of soil fertilisers, pesticides, genetic engineering and high water consumption for the cultivation of renewable raw materials. The ultimate goal must be to ensure that raw materials for bio-based plastics are generated from sustainable agriculture based on ecological criteria. 

Fact is, however, that a continuous intensification of agriculture has occurred ever since the industrialisation era, in order to maximise the yield and satisfy the demand for renewable raw materials in all areas of use, such as consumed and non-consumed foods, feedstuffs, energy carriers and textiles. Against that background, the cultivation of renewable raw materials does not deviate from long-standing basic principles of agricultural economics.