China's bamboo plastic with mechanical strength biodegrades in 50 days

Researchers at China’s Northeast Forestry University have developed a novel bamboo-based bioplastic that combines exceptional mechanical strength with rapid biodegradability. This new material, produced through a non-toxic, alcohol solvent-based process that dissolves and reorganizes bamboo cellulose at the molecular level, exhibits tensile strength of 110 MPa and a flexural modulus of 6.41 GPa, outperforming many commercial plastics such as polylactic acid and high-impact polystyrene. It also offers superior thermal stability above 180 °C and can be processed using conventional industrial techniques like injection molding and machining. Unlike traditional bamboo composite plastics, which often have inferior mechanical properties and incomplete biodegradability due to their fiber-resin composition, this bamboo molecular plastic fully biodegrades in soil within 50 days and supports closed-loop recycling with 90% retention of strength. Published in Nature Communications, the research highlights the material’s potential as a sustainable, high-performance alternative to oil-based plastics, addressing both environmental concerns and industrial application demands