Driven by strong policies, rising environmental awareness, and rapid industrialization, China’s biodegradable materials sector is growing fast and becoming globally influential.
1. Market Scale and Growth
In 2024, China’s biodegradable materials market reached ¥29.9 billion (~$4.2 billion), growing 29.6% YoY. PLA production rose from 117,000 tons in 2018 to 246,000 tons in 2022, with CAGR over 20%.
2. Key Materials and Technology
The industry is centered on PLA, PBAT, and PHA, accounting for over 80% of total capacity. Starch-based polymers like PSM are gaining traction due to full biodegradability and lower carbon emissions.
3. Leading Producers
Top players such as Hengli and Kingfa have capacities over 200,000 tons/year, while dozens of mid-sized manufacturers are scaling up to meet demand.
4. Policy Support
Since 2020, China has enforced bans on non-degradable plastics and promoted national standards for biodegradable materials. The government’s 2021–2025 action plan continues to drive industry expansion.
5. Applications and Challenges
Biodegradable plastics are widely used in packaging, mulching films, and food service items. However, cost, mechanical strength, and low capacity utilization (30–50%) remain industry challenges.
6. Outlook
With projected 20–30% CAGR in the coming years, innovation is focusing on bio-based sourcing, compostability, and improved processing performance. China is on track to be a global leader in green materials.
At HongYi, we are actively engaged in sourcing and developing advanced biodegradable packaging to meet evolving global sustainability needs.
