Russia
As people's awareness of environmental protection has increased, the demand for bioplastics has been stimulated. Bioplastics do not require petroleum products to be manufactured, and they decompose themselves after use. Polylactic acid is the raw material for manufacturing bio-packaging materials. The price of bioplastics is one to three times more expensive than ordinary polymers made from petroleum products. The packaging of bioplastics can effectively inhibit the penetration of oxygen, water vapor, and ultraviolet rays, and has heat resistance. Although the cost of bioplastic products is high, the demand for bio-packaging plastics is still growing sharply.
Germany
The Bioplastics manufacturer plans to build the first European factory in Brandenburg to produce bioplastics from potato starch, with an annual production capacity of about 35,000 tons, and the United States Nature works company with an annual output of more than 150,000 tons of corn plastics.
Belgium
Many stores use bioplastics to package fruits, vegetables, and pastries.
France
In 2010, France will allow supermarkets to use only paper bags made of decomposable materials.
United States
Biodegradable plastics enter the mainstream market in the United States; although the cost of biodegradable plastics is still 10% or more higher than that of traditional plastics, manufacturers have found that demand is growing, mainly due to the increased consumer awareness of environmental protection and the revision of environmental regulations. In addition, the increasing strength of biodegradable plastic products has brought good news to sanitation workers and pet owners who are aware of the hazards of traditional plastics.
China
The Dutch DSM invested 20 million US dollars to establish Tianjin Guoyu Biomaterials Co., Ltd. in Tianjin, China, which is mainly used to build China's largest polyhydroxy alkyl ester (PHA) polymer in the Tianjin Economic and Technological Development Zone. PHA is a new renewable polymer with a wide range of applications, including automobiles, biomedicine and electronic products, fibers, films, and foams.