Growing demand for sustainable plastics sees debut of 'green' tech at Chinaplas

Opening the events at this year's Chinaplas, Jinhui Zhaolong High Technology Group, an advanced plastics materials producer, announced its debut at the show with its achievements in green technologies to combat the rising cost of environmental pollution in China. 

The company says the show's theme of 'Greenovation', a platform to promote consumption reduction and technologies for environmental efficiency, is an ideal opportunity for it to introduce its products to a large international audience. 

"The cost of disposing of waste plastics is five times the cost of production. Residual mulch film in China has caused serious pollution and reduced crop output," explained Janice Li, spokesperson for Jinhiu Zhaolong. "Currently, the two most common methods for handling plastics waste are combustion and landfill, neither of which are effective ways of handling the problem."

The company says the economic loss resulting from environmental pollution and ecological damage has reached as much as CNY200 billion per year in China, with pressing environmental issues, such as white pollution and hazy smogs, reinforcing the determination of the Chinese Government and its citizens to fight pollution and to push for low-carbon and sustainable development. 

As such, the company says it is making continuous progress in the development of 'clean technology' applications, such as its Ecoworld PBAT biodegradable and compostable material, aimed at applications including agricultural film and disposable food packaging. "The market demand for disposable plastic foodwares is high in China," continued Li, "However, as much as 80 percent becomes waste after its first use."

According to the company, PBAT is a "completely biodegradable material with great potential." It is a terpolymer made of 1,4-butanediol adipic acid and terephthalic acid. Used for high-performance films, including agricultural mulch film, garbage bags, cling film, compostable bags and disposable packaging such as tupperware and cups etc, it reportedly features high tear resistance and impact strength compared to polyethylene equivalents, owing to its benzene ring.

"Low-carbon, environment-friendliness and sustainability has become the theme of the 21st century," said Ms Li Yajuan, Vice President of Jinhui Group, the parent group of Jinhui Zhaolong. 

"Jinhui Zhaolong is optimistic at the prospects of PBAT in the plastics industry in China and globally, given the demand on safer and greener packaging for foods and consumer products as well as the increasing desire on environmentally friendly agricultural plastics." 

The company says it has the "largest capacity for PBAT production in Asia", with an overall total capacity of 20,000 mt per annum. After starting production last year, Janice Li told media at the company's press day that the actual production capacity for the year 2014 is expected to be 10,000 mt.

Li said that the standard of its PBAT biodegradable film is the same as international counterparts, however, that the technology has the potential for a longer useful life. 

In addition to PBAT, the company also spoke of its R&D into the production of a new high-barrier film material using carbon dioxide copolymer as the major component, as well as a project to produce polyalcohol from bio-based glycerol.  

"By participating at Chinaplas, we aim to realise a sustainable plastics industry, and a beautiful China," said Li Yajuan.