
Bioplastic: Optimistic Market Outlook, Needing Continuous Improvement
In today’s world, wherever you go, people see a variety of plastic products everywhere. Plastics have brought a lot of convenience to our lives while also putting a heavy burden on the environment. However, with the advent of bioplastic, environmental pollution problems have been alleviated. Although the current research and development of bio-plastics are the focus of people’s attention, countries have invested a lot of money and manpower in the process of research. However, bioplastic have not yet reached the stage of universal application in the society so far, and there are still many problems in terms of cost, management, and technology.
First, cost is high. The current price of bioplastic is two to three times higher than that of ordinary plastics. The high cost of production has to some extent hindered the universal use of such materials.
Second, technology is not yet mature. Degradable plastic products made of bioplastic cannot fully meet various consumer demands. Taking catering appliances made of biodegradable plastics as an example, they are far from traditional plastic products in terms of heat resistance, water resistance and mechanical strength. At the same time, although there are many varieties of biodegradable plastics on the market today, the overall performance of each material has yet to be improved.
Third, the regulatory system is not yet complete. As bioplastic are a new industry, many materials and products have not been standardized in the industry after they were developed. As a result, many inconveniences and disputes have arisen for trade. In the past, it will not be conducive to the development of the bioplastic industry.
Fourth, intensify global warming. Although bioplastic can undergo different degrees of biodegradation, they produce carbon dioxide during the degradation process, which in turn exacerbates global warming.
Fifth, the degradation rate is not the same. Different bioplastic have different degradation rates. Some days can be degraded, some for a few years, and others can take decades. And plastics like those that can take decades to degrade will inevitably put a strain on the environment.
Finally, the safety of genetically modified organisms. The raw materials used in bioplastic are agricultural crops. To promote the fermentation of crops, manufacturers often use genetically modified organisms. However, the safety of genetically modified organisms is still somewhat controversial in the industry.
Recycling environmental protection is not only a hot spot in the society, but also a major development trend in all walks of life. Bioplastic are no exception. Bio-plastics have the advantage of rejuvenating and protecting the environment, making its future development promising. However, in the process of development and application of bioplastic, people still need to make up for the various shortcomings of the plastic, and at the same time, innovative research and development of degradation technology, to promote the future of bioplastic in a wider range of applications.