Polylactic acid (PLA): The "Advanced Path" and Realistic Challenges of Biodegradable Polymers and the Strong Version Engine

The performance of polylactic acid is fundamentally determined by the "microscopic appearance level" of its crystals. Pure PLA typically forms disordered spherical crystal structures when cooled, with a crystallinity of usually only 30%-40%, resulting in a brittle material with poor heat resistance. The glass transition temperature (Tg) is only 55-65℃, and it easily deforms when exposed to a slight increase in temperature. To solve this problem, the research team has carried out precise control studies on the crystal morphology.

Rise of Biobased Materials: Current Status and Enterprise Layout of PLA and PHAs

Driven by the "dual carbon" goal, the global "plastic ban" policy, and the national strategy for bio-manufacturing, biobased materials, as a key driver for the transformation from the "black economy" to the "green economy", are experiencing an accelerated development period. They are moving from concept validation to large-scale substitution, and have become the core direction of the green transformation in the chemical industry.

Ministry of Commerce: Will take multiple measures to promote plastic pollution control

According to CCTV News, today (the 6th) afternoon, the State Council Information Office held a press conference. A relevant official from the Ministry of Commerce stated that multiple measures will be taken to promote plastic pollution control and continuously promote green consumption.

The Dual-Carbon Leadership: The Rise of PLA and the Green Reconstruction of the Modified Plastics Industry

By 2025, the market size of modified plastics in China has exceeded 380 billion yuan, and it is expected to rise to 520 billion yuan by 2030.

【MIX-UP News】Biological-Chemical Cascade Catalysis for High-Value Conversion of Polylactic Acid to Amino Acids

This research developed a solar-biological hybrid system that can upgrade discarded polylactic acid (PLA) plastics into alanine under mild conditions.

The Ministry of Commerce: Will increase the promotion efforts for green alternative products such as biodegradable and bamboo-based substitutes for plastics.

On January 6th, the Information Office of the State Council held a press conference. Relevant officials from the Ministry of Commerce, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, and the State Administration for Market Regulation introduced the situation regarding the promotion of green consumption and answered questions from journalists.

Prospects for Straw Materialization Utilization in 2026: A "Golden Lane" Driven by Both Policies and Technologies

With technological breakthroughs and policy reinforcements, the valuable biomass energy crop straw is emerging as a "pioneer of new materials", "main force of green building materials", and "precious treasure of high value", taking center stage in the circular economy and low-carbon development.

Department 9 has issued a document! We will increase the promotion of green products and green packaging, and guide the use of environmentally friendly and biodegradable packaging materials.

On January 4th, the Ministry of Commerce, the National Development and Reform Commission, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, the People's Bank of China, the State Administration for Market Regulation, and the China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission jointly issued a notice on implementing the green consumption promotion initiative.

What is polylactic acid?

Among various degradable plastics, PLA is regarded as a green material. It is a completely biodegradable and environmentally friendly plastic, which is a polymer obtained through chemical synthesis from lactic acid produced by the biological fermentation of crops (such as corn, starch, wheat straw, etc.).

China's bio-manufacturing industry is moving towards a trillion-yuan sector.

Soybeans, transformed by biological enzymes, have become a new favorite in the health supplement market; corn has been turned into fuel ethanol, helping to reduce carbon emissions in the aviation industry; insulin produced by genetically engineered strains has become an effective treatment for diabetes... In China, bio-manufacturing is emerging as a new track for industrial innovation and development.

The State Post Bureau: During the "15th Five-Year Plan" period, we will accelerate the pace of the green transformation of packaging.

On December 25th, the State Post Bureau held a regular press conference for the fourth quarter to introduce the situation of the green and low-carbon development of the postal industry during the "14th Five-Year Plan" period.

Sinopec North Chemical Research Institute has cracked the key technology for the green preparation of PLA biodegradable anti-epidemic materials.

On December 21st, the key research and development project of the National Science and Technology Major Project led by Beijing Research Institute of Chemical Industry, "Green Preparation Key Technology and Application Demonstration of Biodegradable Epidemic Prevention Materials", successfully passed the performance evaluation of the project.

It will come into effect on February 1, 2026! Two departments have released the new version of the "Catalogue of Industries Encouraging Foreign Investment", adding bio-based chemicals, degradable fibers, etc.

On December 24th, the National Development and Reform Commission and the Ministry of Commerce released the "Catalogue of Industries Encouraging Foreign Investment (2025 Edition)", which will come into effect on February 1st, 2026. The "Catalogue of Industries Encouraging Foreign Investment (2022 Edition)" is simultaneously abolished.

Don't let "white" consume "green" - Use technology to end plastic pollution

As an enterprise in the field of deep pyrolysis of waste plastics to produce oil, we sincerely hope that every member of the public: Stop randomly discarding waste plastics. Your small act of kindness is already helping to lighten the burden on our planet.

Overnight, 7,500 McDonald's restaurants across the country underwent a makeover! Behind this lies a new market opportunity worth billions.

On December 19th, McDonald's China announced a further green upgrade of its meal packaging. Over 7,500 restaurants across the country will gradually adopt new bio-based packaging mainly made of polylactic acid (PLA).

Towards Sustainable Optoelectronics: Development and Characterization of High-Performance Optical Films Based on Fully Plant-Derived Polylactic Acid

To address the environmental crisis caused by the traditional photonic materials' reliance on petroleum-based polymers, this study focuses on all-plant-derived polylactic acid (PLA). By integrating solution casting with electrospinning, a composite technology was developed to create high-performance optical films that feature high light transmittance, excellent mechanical properties, and environmental compatibility.

Domestic Substitution: New Materials Break Through and Supply Capacity Improves

Boasting excellent performance and prominent metal substitution potential, new materials are widely applied in automotive, electronics, daily life and other fields, bringing significant opportunities to industries. China's supply capacity of new materials has improved, with remarkable achievements in import substitution of some products. As an important direction for the transformation and upgrading of China's manufacturing industry, this sector has made substantial progress in recent years.

Academician Tan Tianwei Unveils Biomanufacturing: Three Core Challenges and Trends Shaping the Trillion-Dollar Future Industry

With the country accelerating its strategic layout, China is poised to take a significant position in the future-oriented industrial competition of biomanufacturing.

8 kinds of eco-friendly materials expected to replace plastic: bioplastic, bamboo, recycled paper, coconut fiber, mycelium, seaweed, hemp fiber, glass

Against the backdrop of the increasingly severe global plastic pollution, seeking sustainable alternative materials has become an urgent priority. With their unique advantages, the following 8 eco-friendly materials are gradually emerging as ideal substitutes for plastic and spearheading the green transformation.

Using polylactic acid as the coating layer, the University of Science and Technology of China has created ultra-strong MXene composite fibers.

With the rapid development of wearable electronic devices, fiber-based intelligent electronic textiles have shown enormous application prospects in fields such as health monitoring, intelligent display and human-computer interaction. However, how to effectively retain and transfer the intrinsic properties of high-performance nanomaterials to macroscopic fiber structures has long been a key challenge.