Wedoany.com Report on Mar 19th, A research team composed of researcher Li Ruizhen and researcher Yao Jianmin from Shanxi Agricultural University, along with the Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, has recently successfully developed an ultra-thin fully biodegradable water-permeable mulch film with a thickness of only 0.006 millimeters. This ultra-thin fully biodegradable water-permeable mulch film has a weather resistance period of approximately 120 days, and its mechanical properties significantly exceed national standards, providing a new solution for sustainable agricultural development.
Fully biodegradable mulch films primarily use carbon dioxide-based synthesized branched-chain polycarbonate (PPC), petroleum-based biodegradable resin (PBAT), and biomass-based polylactic acid resin (PLA) as main raw materials. They aim to replace traditional polyethylene mulch films and reduce white pollution. Traditional fully biodegradable mulch films are thicker due to higher density and process limitations, leading to high unit area usage costs. The investment per mu (approximately 666.67 square meters) is about 160 yuan, posing challenges for widespread adoption.
Relying on the "13th Five-Year Plan" and "14th Five-Year Plan" National Key R&D Program projects, the research team utilized carbon dioxide-based PPC and PCU materials developed by the Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Combined with the photolysis-resistant water-permeable additives from Shanxi Weitong Water-Permeable Film Biotechnology Co., Ltd., they successfully optimized the production process for the ultra-thin fully biodegradable water-permeable mulch film. After reducing the thickness by 40%, the investment cost per mu decreased to around 90 yuan, comparable to traditional high-strength PE mulch films.
This ultra-thin fully biodegradable water-permeable mulch film can fully decompose in autumn, eliminating the need for recovery and processing and reducing additional investment. Simultaneously, its water-permeable function improves rainwater utilization efficiency, helps avoid late-stage crop premature senescence issues, enhances yield potential, and achieves a balance between economic benefits and environmental protection. The related research results have been published in academic journals such as "China Plastics" and "Journal of Agricultural Science and Technology."
Shanxi Agricultural University and Shanxi Weitong Water-Permeable Film Biotechnology Co., Ltd. have jointly obtained multiple national invention patents, including those for processing technologies and testing methods of biodegradable water-permeable films, and have established supporting cultivation technical models. The team also released the enterprise standard "Fully Biodegradable (Water-Permeable) Agricultural Ground Cover Film" on the National Enterprise Standard Information Public Service Platform. Currently, this ultra-thin fully biodegradable water-permeable mulch film technology has been promoted in regions such as Shanxi, Shaanxi, and Inner Mongolia, achieving positive results.
