Plastic is one of the most common materials in human daily life. In 2004, Thompson of Plymouth University in England and others published a paper on plastic fragments in seawater and sediments in the American magazine Science, which first put forward the concept of microplastics. He defined microplastics as a plastic particle with a diameter less than 5mm.
"More than 70 countries and regions around the world, including China, have promulgated and implemented the Plastic Ban Order. In this context, boosting bio-based degradable plastics has become one of the emerging industries with great development prospects. " Chen Peng, member of Ningbo CPPCC and director of Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering, China Academy of Sciences, said that microplastics particles "invaded" life and became the "Mokris Sword" hanging over human heads, and developing biodegradable plastics may find a "way out". He suggested that Ningbo government further guide and promote the development of biodegradable plastics industry.
Chen Peng introduced that bio-based degradable plastics are derived from renewable biological resources, and their carbon emissions are much lower than those of traditional petroleum-based plastics, even zero or negative emissions; Secondly, it will return to nature in a biodegradable way after being used and discarded. There is no white pollution, and you don't have to worry about becoming microplastics particles and invading the human body through the food chain.
The reporter learned that the development of bio-based degradable plastics and their derivatives in Ningbo, Zhejiang Province has a certain foundation. In terms of industry, the city has a large number of raw material processing enterprises; In terms of market, Ningbo is one of the gathering places of plastic products in China, and China Plastic City in Yuyao is a well-known professional market of plastic raw materials in China. In terms of scientific and technological support, Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering of Chinese Academy of Sciences has established the only key laboratory of bio-based polymer materials technology and application in Zhejiang Province, and the number of patent applications ranks among the top in China.
However, the development of bio-based degradable plastics industry in Ningbo also faces some problems.
"There is a lack of key raw materials, and raw materials such as polylactic acid and PBAT, which are currently in the greatest demand, rely on outsourcing." Chen Peng pointed out that in addition to the dependence on raw materials, there are still problems such as single application products, high cost and blocked marketing. Comparatively speaking, industry standards and testing and certification ability are lagging behind, and there is no authoritative testing institution in Ningbo. Enterprises report that the product inspection cycle is long and the certification cost is high.
"I hope that Ningbo can further accelerate the formulation of industrial development plans and build a research and innovation center, quality inspection center and low-carbon consumption demonstration zone for bio-based degradable plastics from a high starting point." Chen Peng said that by enriching the existing industrial parks and optimizing the supporting mature blocks, problems such as strict environmental approval for new production capacity, long construction period and land shortage can be solved.
On this basis, Chen Peng suggested that Ningbo actively cultivate and improve the industrial chain. "Actively connect leading enterprises at home and abroad, optimize the project approval and landing process, and guide traditional petrochemical enterprises to lay out green and low-carbon production capacity; Encourage and support existing plastic enterprises to achieve green transformation, and cooperate with domestic and foreign head enterprises such as automobile, textile, medical care, agricultural materials, logistics and packaging to innovate business models and expand application scenarios. "
Chen Peng suggested that "double carbon" technological innovation should be implemented to break through the key core and * * * technology; Guide and support enterprises and institutions to preside over or participate in the formulation of industry standards; Relying on the Zhejiang Regional Center of Ningbo National New Material Testing and Evaluation Platform, we will strengthen cooperation with authoritative testing and certification institutions at home and abroad and improve the testing, certification and traceability system. (End)