Development of biodegradable plastics

According to the Japan Biodegradable Plastics Research Association, Japan's biodegradable plastics production in 2002 was about 10,000 tons, about 20,000 tons in 2003, about 40,000 tons in 2005, and it is expected to reach about 100,000 to 200,000 tons in 2010.

According to the European Bioplastics Association, figures in 2001 show that the EU's consumption of biodegradable products is 25,000 to 30,000 tons, while the consumption of traditional polymers is as high as 35 million tons. The European Bioplastics Association predicts that the amount of traditional polymers will reach 55 million tons in 2010, while the amount of biodegradable plastics will reach 500,000 to 1 million tons. Biodegradable materials may eventually account for 10% of the market. In biodegradable materials, the proportion of raw materials using renewable resources will account for more than 90%.

According to statistics from the China Plastics Association Degradable Plastics Professional Committee, the amount of biodegradable materials in China in 2003 was about 15,000 tons, of which about 1,000 tons were biodegradable polymers without starch. In 2005, there were about 30 companies engaged in biodegradable plastics, with a production capacity of 60,000 tons per year, actual production of about 30,000 tons, domestic market demand of about 50,000 tons, foreign imports of 10,000 tons, and exports of 20,000 tons. It is estimated that the production capacity in 2010 will reach about 250,000 tons. For details, please refer to the "Foreseeing China's Biodegradable Plastic Industry In-depth Research and Investment Strategic Planning Analysis Report".

Some developed countries also use the idea of circular economy to use degradable disposable utensils. For example, Sweden trial-produced potato and corn disposable snack boxes in the late 1980s, and South Korea mandated the use of toothpick made of sticky rice. Wait. In Europe, a standard EN13432 for biodegradable compostable plastics was developed, “Requirements for Testing and Final Evaluation of Packages Facilitated by Composting and Biodegradation for Recycling”, while other ordinances to promote the composting of organic waste are being actively formulated and prepared. The US Government has set up the President's Green Chemistry Challenge Award since 1996 to encourage the development of the biodegradable plastics industry. New York State banned the use of non-biodegradable vegetable bags in 1989, subsidized manufacturers of degradable plastics, and required citizens to separate renewable and non-renewable waste, or fined $ 500.

Other countries have adopted similar measures: India has legislated against the use of plastic packaging in the dairy industry; South African law has completely banned the use of plastic packaging bags. With the development of national legislation, new biodegradable packaging materials are expected to become increasingly popular.

Biodegradable Trash Bag

In China, with the deepening understanding of degradable plastics, the strategic role of this material and its industry on China's sustainable development has been fully recognized. The widespread application of biodegradable packaging bag has been widely expected. The Chinese passed the Renewable Energy Law (Draft) and the Solid Waste Law (Revision) in 2004, encouraging the use of renewable biomass energy and the promotion and application of degradable plastics. In the National Development and Reform Commission's No. 40 document of 2005, the use and promotion of biodegradable plastics were also explicitly encouraged. In 2006, the National Development and Reform Commission launched a special fund project on promoting the development of biomass biodegradable materials.