cross-posted from: https://slrpnk.net/post/31895167
A new biodegradable bamboo plastic could replace conventional plastics, offering a fully biodegradable alternative that is durable, recyclable, and easy to manufacture at scale.
Chinese researchers have developed a biodegradable bamboo plastic that not only rivals but surpasses traditional petroleum-based plastics in strength and thermal stability while decomposing naturally within 50 days. The breakthrough, published in Nature Communications in October 2025, could revolutionize manufacturing by offering a renewable, recyclable, and high-performance alternative for industries such as automotive and infrastructure.
This actually sounds great, if the solvents are widely available and have as low footprint as the material itself (bamboo).
Production involves two eco-friendly steps. Deep eutectic solvents break apart bamboo’s hydrogen-bond network into smaller cellulose molecules. Ethanol then triggers molecular reconstruction, reforming dense hydrogen bonds and creating a tough, uniform plastic. This ethanol-mediated restructuring produces a chemically modified cellulose network that delivers exceptional mechanical performance.
The material can be shaped through injection molding, compression molding, and machining, making it compatible with existing manufacturing systems. That versatility is crucial because new materials must fit into current industrial pipelines to be commercially viable. Tests show that the bamboo plastic outperforms commonly used engineering plastics such as ABS and polylactic acid, making it suitable for rigid applications requiring durability and heat resistance.
Sadly, they don’t mention the solvents, only the catalyst for hardening (ethanol - which would be OK).
I believe the original article is this:
In this case, the solvents would be:
By employing a hydrated ZnCl₂/formic acid deep eutectic solvent (DES), we disassemble the native H-bond matrix of bamboo cellulose into a homogeneous molecular system. Subsequent ethanol stimulation triggers the rearrangement of cellulose chains, fostering dense, ordered H-bond interactions between hydroxyl and formate ester groups (Fig. 1b).
Now, formic acid is ecologically OK. Zinc chloride, not entirely so (zinc is not a substance to waste or throw around), but if it’s recovered in the process then it would be OK. Coincidentally, their process includes recovery of zinc chloride:
DES recycling
The spent calcium chloride solution and the ethanol used for washing the gel were collected and mixed. An equimolar amount of 48 wt% sulfuric acid was then added to precipitate the calcium ions. This mixture underwent vacuum filtration to remove the precipitated ions, followed by rotary evaporation of the residual liquid to eliminate the ethanol and recover the recycled DES.
Recycling and reuse process of BM-plastic The recycled DES solvent (ZnCl 2 /FA) was obtained by adding equimolar mass of sulfuric acid to precipitating CaCl 2 , and steaming out ethanol. The recycled BM-plastic was prepared from Re-DES and BM-plastic chips, through the molecular system and molecular gel preparation process mentioned above, as well as the ethanol stimulation process.
So, overall, this all sounds sensible to me. Whether it’s economical, I cannot tell so fast.
Researchers confirmed complete decomposition after burying samples in soil for under two months.
That’s great compared to the compostable (in an industrial composter) ones out now. I wonder if there are specific conditions it needs for it or not.
It’ll never see wide adoption.
And if it does, it’ll only be for the rich ™️.
/s
Jesus christ, people. It’s ok to cheer a bit after hearing a good news.
We’ll just put it up here on the shelf next to the other ten durable biodegradable bioplastics.
I recall them saying this about electric cars and solar panels 10-15 years ago.
I should clarify “in the US” since we’re governed by old businesses that can’t make money from anything but old technology.
Yeah I will believe this when I see this available for my 3D Printer. There really is a community need for actual biodegradable filament
