Green materials refer to materials with minimal environmental impact during production, use, and disposal, centered around the principles of sustainability and eco-friendliness. As global environmental concerns such as climate change intensify, numerous countries worldwide are enhancing their awareness of sustainable development and environmental preservation at both policy and industrial levels, leading to the gradual emergence of the green materials market.
Over the past few years, the green materials market has experienced continuous growth, particularly with the introduction of concepts like "carbon neutrality." Many European governments have imposed environmental requirements on the market. For instance, the European Union has set a target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 55% by 2030, and the application of green materials contributes to achieving this goal. Simultaneously, the increasing awareness among consumers regarding environmental protection and the sustained demand for sustainable products have driven companies to recognize the impact of an eco-friendly image on brand value. This pressure is compelling businesses to incorporate green materials, leading to a steady rise in market demand. According to Research Nester's analysis, the global market for green composite materials is projected to surpass $40 billion by 2035, with a compound annual growth rate of 7% from 2023 to 2035.
Green materials find widespread application across various industries, including construction, automotive manufacturing, electronics, and packaging. In traditional construction, extensive use of fossil materials has led to environmental pollution. The integration of green materials such as renewable energy materials and energy-efficient materials into the construction sector can play a significant role in energy conservation, emission reduction, and green building practices. In the automotive manufacturing sector, lightweight materials and battery components are crucial for the development of electric vehicles. The electronics industry seeks environmentally friendly electronic components and materials, while the packaging industry demonstrates increasing demand for biodegradable and recyclable materials. Emerging materials like biodegradable plastics and high-performance composites not only meet environmental requirements but also offer improved performance and sustainability. Companies investing in research and development will gain a competitive advantage while driving progress in the entire green materials market. In this article, EqualOcean reviews Chinese enterprises focusing on green materials.
SECURER （青界生物）
Located in Zibo City, Shandong Province, Qingjie Biotech is a biodegradable materials company that integrates production, research and development, sales, and technical services. Qingjie Biotech is the drafting unit for the national standards of fully biodegradable films and polylactic acid composite rolled bags. It is also one of the first companies to undergo China's green design product evaluation. Its "Tianye" series of products have rapidly captured the domestic market and have been exported to international markets such as Italy, Australia, Russia, South Korea, and the United Arab Emirates.
Zhengzhou Zhongyuan Enterprise Group （郑州中远企业集团 ）
Founded in 1992, Zhengzhou Zhongyuan Enterprise Group is one of the earliest engineering technology companies specializing in polyester chip crystallization drying and spandex engineering EPC contracting. It has evolved into a group company primarily focused on solution spinning engineering technology, offering services encompassing engineering consultation and design, product development, equipment manufacturing and installation, automation control and software development, as well as production training.
The company has long been dedicated to research and development in "polymer solution spinning" engineering technology, possessing advanced core engineering technology in areas like spandex fibers, acrylic fibers, acetate fibers, and new types of regenerated cellulose fibers. In the spandex industry, the advancements in spandex engineering technology by Zhengzhou Zhongyuan Enterprise Group have greatly propelled the development of China's spandex industry and established industry benchmarks.
HUAZHEJINGWEI 华哲经纬
Founded in 2020, HUZHEJINGWEI is a biodegradable materials research and development company dedicated to modifying and producing bio-based biodegradable materials. Their product range includes takeout boxes, cups, bowls, plates, utensils, straws, shopping bags, waste bags, courier packaging bags, agricultural films, and bio-based composite modified materials. These products find widespread use in fields such as food, agriculture, packaging, and healthcare. Currently, HUZHEJINGWEI's products have entered countries including Europe, the United States, Russia, Canada, Japan, and South Korea. In 2022, HUZHEJINGWEI exclusively undertook the catering box product solution for the Beijing Winter Olympics.
GUXIANDAO（古纤道纤维）
Located in Shaoxing City, Zhejiang Province, GUXIANDAO Fiber specializes in producing modified polyester chips and differentiated polyester industrial fiber materials. Their products are widely used in industries such as automotive manufacturing, construction engineering, packaging materials, leisure sports, and protective facilities. GUXIANDAO Fiber is one of the world's largest manufacturers of polyester industrial fibers. Their customers are spread across more than 60 countries and regions, including the United States, Canada, Germany, and Saudi Arabia.
TopOlefin Technology （拓烯科技）
TopOlefin Technology primarily focuses on the research and production of advanced, green, and intelligent high-end polymer new materials. Their core products are extensively applied in optical lenses, medical packaging, flexible films, consumer packaging, and other fields, with a global market value exceeding hundreds of billions.
VICEL （山东潍森）
Established in 2012, Shandong Weisen New Materials Technology Co., Ltd. focuses on the research, manufacturing, sales, and services of green and environmentally friendly packaging materials such as cellulose sausage casings and cellulose-based new materials. Their clientele spans over 30 countries and regions worldwide, including Japan, South Korea, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Saudi Arabia, and Brazil.
YOUSUI PLASTIC （优穗塑胶）
YOUSUI Plastic Raw Materials Co., Ltd. is a high-tech environmental protection new material enterprise specializing in the research, production, and sales of biodegradable materials and products. Their main technologies include "plastic biodegradation agents (functional masterbatches)" and "fully biodegradable particles." They produce degradable plastic products such as agricultural films, disposable tableware, shopping bags, garbage bags, courier bags, and shoe materials using related technologies. YOUSUI's products have obtained sales licenses in markets including Europe, America, Japan, South Korea, Southeast Asia, and Taiwan District.
These enterprises play significant roles in the field of green materials, contributing to sustainable development and environmental protection. Governments worldwide are increasingly emphasizing environmental protection and sustainable development, which will lead to more policies and regulations supporting the green materials industry. Goals like carbon emissions reduction and resource recycling will drive growth in the green materials market. Consumer attention to environmental concerns is becoming a crucial factor in purchasing decisions. Green materials offer more environmentally friendly, healthy, and sustainable products, meeting consumer demands and propelling market growth.
With ongoing technological advancements, new green materials will continue to emerge. Alongside global energy transitions and the development of new energy sources, biodegradable materials, new energy storage materials, and more will bring new growth opportunities to the market while satisfying future sustainability needs.
Simultaneously, varying market demands and policy environments across regions will lead to diverse developments in the green materials market. Developed countries, represented by the European Union, have adopted and promoted green materials earlier and more rigorously. Many Chinese green materials companies are actively exploring the European market. Emerging markets may experience substantial growth in the coming years.
Overall, the outlook for the green materials market is promising. Influenced by policy, technology, and market demand, it is expected to continue expanding and achieve long-term stable growth. Companies that actively innovate, collaborate, and meet environmental protection demands will find substantial business opportunities in this field.