Degradable: The future direction of packaging products

In recent years, China's packaging plastics have exceeded 4 million tons. According to the forecast of related departments, in 2005, the demand for plastic packaging materials in China will reach 5 million tons. According to 30% of the disposable plastic packaging materials and products that are difficult to collect, the amount of waste generated will reach 1.5 million tons; China can cover plastic film. With an area of ​​500 million mu, the estimated demand for nursery stocks and agricultural and sideline products will reach 1 million tons; some of the disposable sundry goods and medical materials are also difficult to collect or are not suitable for recycling. Up to 1 million tons. As a result, the waste of plastics that are difficult to recycle will reach 3.5 million tons, and the resulting environmental problems will become increasingly serious. If 50% of them are replaced by biodegradable plastics, the demand for biodegradable plastics will reach 1.75 million tons. Therefore, biodegradable plastics have a large market potential in China.
Environmentalists pointed out that according to statistics, China consumes about 6 billion snack boxes per year and 5 billion instant noodle bowls. In the future, China's packaging waste will increase at a rate of 3% to 5% per year.
Now, the United States, Japan, Germany, and other countries are vigorously developing new environmentally friendly materials, degradable plastics. Degradable plastics can be decomposed by the microorganisms in the soil after being discarded and turned into substances that are harmless to the natural environment and the human body. Currently, polylactic acid made from corn is mostly used as a raw material. At present, China is also hurrying to formulate policies and regulations to stop "white pollution", and the prospects for the development of biodegradable plastics are promising by the industry.
From the current situation, the most used degradable plastics are in traditional plastic products, such as packaging supplies and disposable products. Also worthy of the development of the market is a variety of daily necessities, stationery, toys, civil engineering supplies and medical plastic products.
Because there are few people in these fields, the market demand is large and the added value is high. Especially at present, China has begun to vigorously implement desertification management, barren trees and grass cultivation, urban planning, and various types of slope protection and soil consolidation projects. The use of products will increase greatly, which is a good opportunity for degradable plastics. The development of biodegradable packaging products is the future trend of China's packaging industry.