Reviewing the research and development of biodegradable plastics in China, it is found that the industry and the academic community work independently with little flow. Many production lines of polyolefin/starch plastics have been introduced blindly in the industry. The academic community has independently carried out research on whole biodegradable plastics, which has not been closely integrated with the industry. As a result, the development of biodegradable plastics in China has been affected. In the future, in the process of research and development of biodegradable plastics, we should strengthen the connection and communication between the academia and industry to promote the healthy development of biodegradable plastics in China.

Environmental pollution from petroleum-dependent plastics remains an urgent problem in China. Biodegradable plastic varieties that are expected to take on this responsibility mainly include thermoplastic starch, polycarbon dioxide/epoxy compound, polyhydroxybutyrate amyl ester and polylactic acid, etc. Currently, the total capacity is about 20kt, and the actual consumption in the domestic market is still very small. Domestic producers are turning to foreign markets, such as Japan, South Korea and Europe, given the low price tolerance of the domestic market and a lack of environmental awareness.

In the field of application, degradable plastic mulch has been tested on a large scale in the 1990s, and the results show the complexity of degradation and application of degradable plastic mulch. The degradable plastic mulch of the same formulation has different degradation performance in different places and to different crops, which must be popularized through application research. For this reason, the actual promotion of degradable plastic mulch has been hindered. Although there is a need, the application has not been popularized. The application of degradable plastics in mulch is still an unsolved problem.

In a large number of disposable plastic packaging bags, tableware and other applications, the use of biodegradable plastics to replace non-degradable plastics, due to economic constraints, has not yet formed its due market. In this area, the task of biodegradable plastics is to further reduce costs, improve performance and promote marketization.

The application of biodegradable plastics in other fields, such as sanitary products, CD cases, stationery, electrical appliances and parts should be paid more attention.

Biodegradable plastics