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Scientia Silvae Sinicae ›› 2024, Vol. 60 ›› Issue (1): 129-141.doi: 10.11707/j.1001-7488.LYKX20230140

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The Current Status and Market Development Potential of Processing Technology and Products Using Bamboo as a Substitute for Plastic

Hanzhou Ye1,Jinhe Fu2,Haitao Cheng1,Fuming Chen1,Shuyan Yang3,Ge Wang1,*   

  1. 1. International Centre for Bamboo and Rattan Beijing 100102
    2. China Association of Circular Economy Beijing 100037
    3. China Bamboo Industry Association Beijing 100102
  • Received:2023-04-08 Online:2024-01-25 Published:2024-01-29
  • Contact: Ge Wang

Abstract:

China has a wealth of bamboo resources, cutting-edge bamboo processing technologies, strong research and development capabilities, and strong international competitiveness. The bamboo industry is a green and promising sector of the Chinese economy that contributes significantly to the advancement of both economic growth and environmental protection. The conventional plastics sector is currently confronted with issues such a heavy reliance on non-renewable resources, excessive energy consumption, and significant environmental damage. Governments and groups around the world have introduced a number of “plastic ban” policies and initiatives to promote sustainable plastic alternatives in response to the expansion of the global economy and people’s rising concern for environmental protection. Bamboo presents a range of opportunities and options for the development of bamboo-based plastic substitutes because it is an eco-friendly, low-carbon, renewable, and degradable bio-based material with a variety of processing units, excellent material properties, and great processing selectivity and product designability. Bamboo-based plastic substitutes have steadily garnered regulatory, commercial, and consumer favor as an eco-friendly replacement. The Bamboo as a Substitute for Plastic Initiative was introduced in November 2022 by the Chinese government and the International Bamboo and Rattan Organization in an effort to reduce plastic pollution, combat climate change, and quicken the implementation of the UN 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda. In November 2023, 《The Global Action Plan for Bamboo as a Substitute for Plastic (2023—2030)》 was officially released. With the Bamboo as a Substitute for Plastic Initiative, China has made it clear that it is committed to protecting the environment, and various decision-making levels have been used to strongly encourage the development of the bamboo industry. This article analyzes the urgent need for and viability of alternative bamboo to plastic solutions based on the benefits of China’s bamboo resources and bamboo industry as well as the traditional plastic industry’s need for a green transformation. This paper focuses on the current state of typical key industry products like automotive parts, electric appliance shells, cooling tower tower packings, pipes and tubes, building decoration materials, and disposable tableware and their potential for bamboo as a substitute for plastic. Furthermore, the study proposes actionable recommendations, development trends, and future prospects for the adoption of bamboo as a substitute for plastic. This research seeks to provide some reference for the promotion and deployment of bamboo-based plastic alternative technologies and goods in China.

Key words: bamboo as a substitute for plastic, plastic ban, processing technology, key industries, market analysis, action proposal

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