November 07, 2024 – The Global Rise of Laminated Paper Products and the Emergence of PHA Technology
Laminated paper products have increasingly gained prominence in the global market, with their market size continuously expanding and widespread applications in paper cups, food packaging, and numerous other sectors. Recent survey data reveals that the global market for PE laminated paper products surged to approximately RMB 41.44 billion in 2023. Driven by the expansion of consumer markets, advancements in the food industry, and the growing demand for eco-friendly packaging, it is projected to grow steadily at a compound annual growth rate of 3.2% over the next six years, reaching a new peak of RMB 49.82 billion by 2030.
However, as the world places greater emphasis on sustainable development, environmental protection has become a significant challenge for the laminated paper products industry. Traditional lamination processes coat paper surfaces with plastic particles such as PE and PP, providing oil and water resistance. Yet, these plastic coatings are difficult to degrade, posing long-term environmental pollution. Against this backdrop, PHA lamination technology has emerged, revolutionizing the industry.
PHA, or polyhydroxyalkanoates, is a naturally synthesized biopolymer produced through microbial fermentation. It exhibits similar physicochemical properties to synthetic plastics while possessing excellent biodegradability and biocompatibility. According to Color Masterbatch Industry Network, MicroEco Workshops and Hefei Hengxin Life Technology Co., Ltd. have recently obtained the world’s first DIN-certified PHA laminated paper products for both household and industrial composting. Their jointly developed PHA laminated paper-plastic composite solution uses PHA as a barrier layer, efficiently recycling paper resources and significantly reducing the use of virgin plastics. This solution showcases broad application prospects in paper cups, food containers, and other fields.
PHA laminated materials are fully degradable in marine environments, with a paper pulp recovery rate of 88.9%. Additionally, they excel in food contact safety, with detection indicators far below international food safety standard limits. With continuous breakthroughs in PHA laminated paper product technology, China’s PHA industry is poised for substantial growth. Numerous companies are increasing investments and expanding production scales.
After completing a Series A+ funding round of RMB 359 million, MicroEco Workshops is accelerating the construction of a 10,000-tonne PHA production line. Chuan Ning Biology and MicroEco Workshops are collaborating to produce PHA through technological upgrades, with expected capacities exceeding 1,000 tonnes. The joint venture of Angel Yeast, WeiQi, is also vigorously constructing a green and intelligent manufacturing project for the annual production of 10,000 tonnes of synthetic biological PHA. Furthermore, BluePhantom Microorganisms’ production line in Binhai County, Yancheng City, Jiangsu Province, is currently the largest PHA production line in China, with a designed annual capacity of 25,000 tonnes and partial commissioning completed. Zhuhai Madefind has also completed the construction of a 1,000-tonne PHA production line and plans to further expand its production scale.
It is foreseeable that with the rising awareness of environmental protection and the pursuit of sustainable development, the demand for PHA laminated paper products and related products will experience explosive growth. This will propel the laminated paper products industry towards a greener direction, ushering in a new era.