August 30, 2025 – A milestone has been reached in the global bio-based film sector: the world’s first production line specifically designed for BOPLA films, jointly developed and manufactured under the leadership of Guilin Electrical Equipment Scientific Research Institute Co., Ltd. and with Jiangsu Xinyi Film Co., Ltd. playing a key role in R&D and manufacturing, has now completed critical phases including multi-functional biaxial stretching tests and main structure assembly. It has officially entered the joint commissioning stage, a key step toward commercial operation.
Notably, the BOPLA films produced during the equipment’s testing phase have met both EU and national standards for biodegradability. These results have been verified through rigorous reviews by leading certification and testing bodies across domestic and international markets, confirming the material’s compliance with global environmental requirements. For Suqian’s membrane material industry, this achievement is transformative: it not only enriches the range of membrane products available in the region but also addresses a long-standing gap in Suqian’s bio-based membrane material sector, creating a new growth avenue for the city’s new material industry.
BOPLA, short for Biaxially Oriented Polylactic Acid film, stands out as an eco-friendly material with strong biocompatibility and degradability. A key advantage is its rapid decomposition: under industrial composting conditions, it breaks down completely within six months, aligning perfectly with global “plastic restriction and ban” policies and the broader shift toward environmental sustainability. Technically, it has secured certifications under EU standard EN13432∶2000 and national standard GB/T19277.1-2011, providing a solid basis for large-scale production. The biaxial stretching process further enhances its performance: it reduces the film’s thickness by over 30% while boosting mechanical strength by 40%. Additionally, it offers excellent optical transparency and water vapor barrier properties, making it a preferred choice for packaging in food, pharmaceuticals, and electronics. Unsurprisingly, the production equipment for such a high-performance material has remained a focus of market interest.
As reported by the Color Masterbatch Industry Network, Jiangsu Xinyi Film has equipped its production workshop with core modules tailored for BOPLA manufacturing, including high-precision biaxial stretching units and intelligent temperature control systems. These facilities are designed to produce BOPLA films in multiple specifications, with thickness ranging from 10μm to 50μm. A company representative shared the project timeline: “We plan to start trial production with material feeding on the first production line in September and achieve full-line operation by December.”
The industrialization of BOPLA film represents a strategic move for Xinyi Film to expand into high-value-added sectors, leveraging its accumulated core technologies. Looking ahead, the company aims to build a large-scale business layout for biodegradable films. To accelerate market penetration, Xinyi Film has already established preliminary cooperation intentions with several food and electronics enterprises. It plans to quickly launch its BOPLA products into food packaging and electronic encapsulation markets, driving green development through technological innovation and supporting the industry’s transition toward sustainability.