Great interest in PHAs in China

During the 9th International Conference of Technology and Application of Biodegradable & Bio-based Plastics (ICTABP9) in Nanjing, China, GO!PHA co-hosted a very well attended (95k participants) afternoon session specially dedicated to PHA. China-based GO!PHA members BluePha and TiaNan Enmat presented their cases and GO!PHA provided three separate key note speeches. The great amount of interest could be a result of China's proposal to ban Single-use Plastics and the allowance of biodegradable alternatives.

In contrast to the Single-Use Plastic Directive (SUPD) in the European Union, biodegradable plastics are exempted from bans and restrictions concerning plastic bags, single-use plastics straws, disposable tableware and plastic tapes. A policy paper issued in January 2020 promotes the use of biodegradable shopping bags, biodegradable wrapping films and bags for fresh food and biodegradable agricultural foils on a large scale.

Read more on China’s proposal to ban Single-use Plastics here