Biodegradable Packaging Manufacturers in China: An Overview

Many brands are shifting from plastic packaging to using biodegradable materials. In this guide, we cover various types of biodegradable materials made of foam, bioplastics, cardboard, mushrooms, seaweed, and textiles.

Please visit our website for more information on this topic.

We also list some of China’s leading biodegradable packaging manufacturers for a wide range of products and industries. This includes food packaging, product packaging, and much more.

Supplier List

• Dongguan Oemy Environmental Friendly Packaging
• Jiangsu Yopack Packaging Technology
• MST Packaging
• Shanghai Yifu Packaging Products
• Foshan DXC Packaging
• Be Green Packaging
• Hangzhou Mig Packaging
• Tiantai Dingtian Packaging
• Zhejiang Chaofan Commodity

Disclaimer

We are not affiliated with any of the companies listed in this guide. We have selected these companies based on their claimed product scope, history, certification, and capabilities.

What are biodegradable materials?

Biodegradable materials are usually referred to as materials that can be easily decomposed by bacteria, fungi, or exposure to temperature, UV and oxygen, within a short period of time (usually within 6 months), and without polluting.

Compostable materials

Compostable materials, which are a subclass of biodegradable materials, can be decomposed by means of composting, which means that they turn into humus when placed in organic household wastes, straws of crops, or leaves, under suitable temperature and humidity degree.

Biodegradable and compostable materials are mainly used, in the packaging industry, as an eco-friendly solution to replace undegradable petroleum-based plastic products, due to the increasing solid waste in many counties.

EN

According to the definition given by the EN : Requirements for Packaging Recoverable through Composting and Biodegradation, biodegradable materials shall fulfill at least the following requirements:

a. Have a minimum volatile rate of 50%, where “volatility” describes how easily a given substance changes from the liquid to the gas phase

b. Heavy metals contained in the material shall not exceed a given value, e.g. Lead < 0 mg/kg, Mercury < 0.5 mg/kg, Cadmium < 0.5 mg/kg

c. Be able to fragment at least 10% of its initial weight above a 2mm sieve after 12 weeks after being first discharged or composted

d. Get at least 90% biodegraded when compared to the maximum disintegration of a reference substance, within 6 months

Which packaging materials are biodegradable?

In this section, we cover several types of biodegradable materials used for packaging in the industry.

Biodegradable Foam Peanuts Packaging

Biodegradable foam peanut is a type of packing material used in parcels, cargos, and other types of packing boxes as a buffer and cushioning material to keep the integrity of the products during the shipping or moving process.

The name, foam peanut, comes from its similarity to the size and shape of unshelled peanuts. Traditionally, foam peanut is made of polystyrene, which is not biodegradable.

Biodegradable foam peanuts made of crops like corn starch and grain sorghum were gradually developed in the s. These starch-based foam peanuts are soluble in water and therefore as a popular alternative to their non-biodegradable counterparts.

Cardboard Packaging

Cardboard is a common biodegradable packaging, which can be made from a broad range of fibrous and biodegradable materials, such as grass straw, wood, bamboo, cotton, and recycled waste paper.

The shape, sizes, thickness, dimensions, tensility, layers, the water absorption rate of the cardboard are flexible, depending on the expectation of the users.

Biodegradable Plastic Packaging

Biodegradable plastic packaging is packaging that can degrade into the water, CO₂, methane, or simple organic molecules. These products are usually made of starch-based crops, such as potatoes, wheat, sorghums, and corn.

Examples of biodegradable plastic packaging include t-shirt bags, grocery shopping bags, dog poop bags, and more.

Mushroom Packaging

Mushroom packaging is a new risen type of eco-friendly packaging. Mushroom packaging has an appearance and texture of styrofoam-based packaging material, the difference is that the former is made of fungus roots, mycelia, and residues from farming.

Mushroom packaging is suitable to be used for egg cartons, inner packaging for cosmetic and personal care products, food and beverage packaging. Mushroom packaging could be a competent competitor of non-biodegradable traditional plastic or styrofoam packaging, since its high economic value and low-cost production.

According to the EU Ecodesign Guide, mushroom packaging does not need either light, water, or chemical additives to produce, since the mycelium can easily grow by and around the residues to the desired packaging form in a short period of time (usually around 1 week).

Seaweed Packaging

Seaweed packaging is another option for green packaging. Some companies have developed seaweed bags, sachets for dry and wet food products such as cereal, coffee, and seasonings.

The application of seaweed packaging has also extended to the foodservice industry and is used as wraps for foods like burgers, sandwiches, and rice.

Organic Fabric Packaging

Organic fabric packaging referrers to packaging that are made of organic fabric such as GOTS-certified organic cotton, linen, or hemp Packaging made of organic fabrics is biodegradable, in a time period between a few months to a few years. For example, it takes about five months for 100% organic cotton fabric to degrade.

A typical example of organic fabric packaging is muslin bags, which are often used as packaging for personal care products, innerwear, or perfume.

What kind of packaging can be made using biodegradable materials?

In this section, we introduce the industrial application of biodegradable packaging.

Consumer Product Packaging

• Personal care products
• Cosmetic products
• Electronics
• Clothing and textiles
• Shopping bags

Food Packaging

• Fast food wrappers
• Desert, bakery, ice cream packaging
• Pet’s dry food and wet food packaging
• Coffee bean and powder packaging
• Dried fruit packaging
• Nutritional supplement packaging

Export Packaging

• Cartons
• Parcel bags
• Corrugated fiberboard
• Paperboard

Dongguan Oemy Environmental Friendly Packaging

Dongguan Oemy Environmental Friendly Packaging is an OEM and ODM manufacturer providing biodegradable packaging bags for food in the forms of granules, pieces, powders, and other non-liquid forms.

The product lines of Oemy include zipper bags, stand-up packaging bags, and flat packaging bags made of bioplastics and materials like PLA, PBAT, and wood pulp. These biodegradable packaging bags are applicable to a broad range of foodstuff industries, such as coffee bean/powder, tea leaves, rice, dried fruit/meat, chips, and other dried food.

In addition to the main packaging bag, Oemy has also developed 100% biodegradable bag accessories such as air valves, and zippers.

Main Products

• Coffee tea bags
• Pet food bags
• Rice bags
• Dried fruit and nut bags
• Health & baking food bags
• 3-sided sealed bags
• Stand up pouches
• Gusset bags
• Back sealed bag
• Zipper bags

Summary

• Certification: FSSC
• Compliance: Not mentioned
• MOQ: 10,000 pcs
• Samples offered: Yes

Location: , Unit 2, B23, Fenglinmeiliwan, Wanjiang District, Dongguan, Guangdong

Jiangsu Yopack Packaging Technology

Jiangsu Yopack Packaging Technology is a factory located in Wuxi, Jiangsu Province. The company was founded in and specialized in designing, producing, and exporting biodegradable single-use food packaging for restaurants, hotels, schools, cafeterias, and other food-catering facilities.

Jiangsu Yopack uses sugarcane pulps that are imported from Thailand as the raw material for its products. According to the product introduction page of Yopack, their products meet the ASTM standards for biodegradable and compostable materials and can be decomposed within 90 days.

Currently, the factory area of Yopack is over 8,600 square meters, equipped with 6 production lines, and enables an annual output of 10, 000 tons of pulp.

Main Products

• Bagasse boxes
• Paper clamshell boxes
• Multi-compartment plates

Summary

• Certification: Not mentioned
• Compliance: EN , LFGB
• MOQ: 50,000 pcs
• Samples offered: Yes

Location: No.18 Guomin Road, Beiguo Gushan Town, Jiangyin, Wuxi, Jiangsu

MST Packaging

MST Packaging is a stand-up pouch bag manufacturer located in Jiangmen, Guangdong Province. The company is professional in designing, printing, and exporting biodegradable pouch bags for the foodstuff companies such as coffee, dried fruits, potato chips, candies, tea leaves, and more.

Customers can choose various types of seals for the pouch bags, including ribbon, PP rope, cotton, and die-cut. The annual production capacity of MST Packaging is over 5,000 tons.

Yifu Packaging contains other products and information you need, so please check it out.

Main Products

• Coffee bags
• Compostable packaging bags
• Metalized stand-up pouches
• Snack stand up pouches
• Kraft side gusset bags

Summary

• Certification: ISO , ISO , ISO , OHSAS
• Compliance: REACH , RoHS
• MOQ: 10,000 pcs
• Samples offered: Yes

Location: 401, No. 31 Cuiyuan Country Garden, Heshan, Jiangmen, Guangdong

Shanghai Yifu Packaging Products

Shanghai Yifu Packaging Products was established in , and it focuses on offering biodegradable packaging solutions for global customers, starting from development, production to sales.

Yifu Packaging’s product lines include PLA biodegradable material and packaging, PVA water-soluble packaging, and kraft paper packaging. These packages can be made customizable and cater to the industries of foodstuff, beverage, clothing, electronic products, cosmetics, and other consumer products.

Main Products

• PLA, PBAT laminated zipper bags with transparent window
• Kraft paper shopping bags with handle
• Kraft paper gift bags
• Kraft nozzle stand-up pouches
• PVA water-soluble bags
• PLA biodegradable bags
• Retort pouches
• PBAT Frozen bags
• Aluminum foil bags
• Zipper stand-up pouches

Summary

• Certification: ISO
• Compliance: REACH , RoHS, EN , ASTM D
• MOQ: 10,000 pcs
• Samples offered: Yes

Location: , Building 1, No. , Xinfeng Road, Fengcheng Town, Fengxian District, Shanghai

Foshan DXC Packaging

Founded in , Foshan DXC Packaging is a packaging manufacturer for the food and non-food industries, including beverage, organic green food, dietary supplements, and pet treats.

Foshan DXC especially designed extra-large biodegradable foil packaging for the pet food industry. Customers can choose packaging with a net weight capacity of 10lb, 20lb, 40lb, 50lb, or have the factory customize their ideal packaging.

In addition, DXC also launched biodegradable packaging for pet wet food, which is specially designed to protect wet food from moisture and to extend the shelf life of the products.

The factory area of DXC is over 12,000 square meters, equipped with more than 300 independent workshops, undertaking various product procedures, including slitting, printing, and laminating.

Main Products

• Coffee bags
• Whey protein bags
• Pet treats bags
• Kraft paper laminated bags
• Large foil bags
• Flat bottom bags
• Dry food bags
• Velcro zipper pouches
• Pocket zipper pouches
• Child-resistant bags

Summary

• Certification: ISO , FSC
• Compliance: EN , ASTM D, AS
• MOQ: Not mentioned
• Samples offered: Yes

Location: No.8th Fumian East Road, Lubao Technology Park, Sanshui, Foshan, Guangdong

Be Green Packaging

Be Green Packaging was founded in , and it mainly provides biodegradable and compostable inner and outer packaging solutions for manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers. The company has set up primary manufacture, distribution, and customer service centers in Ridgeland, South Carolina, a secondary manufacturing center in Xuzhou, Jiangsu, as well as representative offices in Los Angeles and Dublin.

Be Green Packaging is committed to the production of green packaging materials and they use mainly bagasse, wheat straw, tree fibers, and kenaf as the raw and main material of their products.

The company is especially devoted to the creation of green packaging for the cafes and prompt to decrease the use of single-use plastic products in the foodservice industry.

The clientele of Be Green Packaging is from all professions and trades, including food service, health and beauty products, consumer electronics, and eCommerce applications, including Gillette, Schick, P&G, Samsung, and Nokia.

Main Products

• Straw coffee lids
• Straw coffee cups
• Kraft paper coffee cup clutches
• Inner packaging for personal care products
• Inner packaging for consumer electronics

Summary

• Certification: FSC
• Compliance: Not mentioned
• MOQ: Not mentioned
• Samples offered: Yes

Location: No. 158, Guangming Road, Suining Economic Development Zone, Xuzhou, Jiangsu

Hangzhou Mig Packaging

Hangzhou Mig Packaging focuses on producing cosmetic packaging with traditional and new materials such as glass, plastic bamboo, and kraft paper. The biodegradable packaging is now available for a broad range of cosmetic and skincare products, such as body lotion jars, essential oil rollers, and lipstick tubes.

Mig Packaging offers size, shape, and printing customization services for biodegradable packaging.

Main Products

• Bamboo cream jars
• Bamboo cap for cream jar
• Bamboo powder jars
• Bamboo lotion bottles
• Bamboo lipstick tubes
• Bamboo lip gloss tubes
• Bamboo mascara tubes
• Bamboo dropper bottles
• Bamboo perfume bottles
• Bamboo perfume diffuser bottles
• Kraft paper lipstick tubes
• Kraft paper cosmetic cases
• Kraft paper cosmetic cases

Summary

• Certification: Not mentioned
• Compliance: Not mentioned
• MOQ: 10,000 pcs
• Samples offered: Yes

Location: Chun-an, Qiandaohu Town, Zhejiang

Tiantai Dingtian Packaging

Tiantai Dingtian Packaging is a professional pulp tray and food packaging factory located in Tiantai, Zhejiang Province. The company was founded in providing wet press-molded pulp packaging materials and solutions to customers from the electronic, foodservice, and cosmetic industry.

Tiantai Dingtian offers pulp packaging customization services for cell phones, computer accessories like Bluetooth speakers, cords, earbuds, and wireless chargers.

Currently, the factory area of Dingtian is over 6,500 square meters, with around 100 employees working in it.

Main Products

• Mobile pulp trays
• Mobile hard disk pulp trays
• Computer accessories paper trays
• Electronic toothbrush trays
• Beer tin pulp holders
• Pulp lunch boxes
• Pulp eyeshadow holders

Summary

• Certification: ISO , ISO , FSC
• Compliance: Not mentioned
• MOQ: Not mentioned
• Samples offered: Yes

Location: No. 699-10 Jigong Avenue, Tiantai, Zhejiang

Zhejiang Chaofan Commodity

Zhejiang Chaofan Commodity was established in in Taizhou City as a professional bioplastic and craft material and product manufacturer.

The company specializes in designing and manufacturing kraft paper cups and biodegradable plastic bags. These products apply to ice cream shops, cafes, fast food restaurants, hotels, and other food catering industries.

Main Products

• PLA garbage bags
• Sealed large kraft paper box
• Kraft cup cardboard holder for two cups
• Kraft cup cardboard holder for four cups
• Ice cream paper cups
• Kraft paper hot drink cups
• Kraft paper oblique paper cup
• Pulp cups
• Pulp trays
• Double cup handbag
• Four-cup corrugated cup
• Kraft paper beer bottle carriers

Summary

• Certification: EN , ASTM D
• Compliance: Not mentioned
• MOQ: Not mentioned
• Samples offered: Yes

An in-person factory visit to your Chinese supplier’s facility is a great opportunity to get a deep understanding of who they are and if they’re capable of fulfilling your requirements. Your factory visit should be a fact-finding exercise rather than just an opportunity to passively write down some notes on what you see.

Let’s explore some of the key questions you should be asking during your factory visit.

Using Your Eyes & Ears In The Factory

No doubt before you’ve gotten to the stage of visiting a supplier’s factory, you’ve already performed due diligence on them to ascertain that they’re legitimate. During this research, you should be able to find out a lot of helpful information that can confirm that they’re a capable supplier (and a real manufacturer), so where does an in-person factory visit fit in?

It’s a chance to confirm everything you’ve already learnt, and more, by using your eyes and ears.

In this episode of our podcast, we discuss the three categories of subjective evaluations you should be making visually when visiting a supplier’s factory, including:

• How good a fit they are for your business
• Whether their management is up-to-scratch
• If the conditions in the factory and how it’s setup are positive

In addition to the visual assessments outlined in the podcast, you should also be asking the following questions to help you learn even more.

27 Questions You Should Be Asking During A Visit To Your Chinese Supplier…

Asking about private/sensitive issues is a bit rude in China. But I often say that, if a supplier gets offended too easily, he is not familiar with export customers’ requirements, and you might have problems down the road with his mentality.

Questions about top management and their priorities

• When was the factory started? What was the previous job/experience of the owner?
• Is the factory profitable? What were its sales last year? And 3 years ago?
• What is the latest investment made in the factory, and how much did it cost?
• What is the next investment they are planning?

Questions about middle management

• Who will probably follow your order, besides the salesperson? How long have they worked in this factory?
• How many other orders do they follow?
• Where do the line leaders and the in-process QC staff come from? Were they promoted internally, or hired from the outside?

Questions about the workforce

• What proportion of workers came back after the last Chinese New Year?
• What is the employee turnover rate month over month (excluding the new year period)?
• What happens when an operator makes a mistake? Is she fined?
• Are operators paid by the number of pieces? Or by the hour?
• Is a part of their compensation based on the team’s results, or is it all individual?

Questions about the capacity

• Observe one line that is making about the same product as you intend to purchase. Ask for the output of this one line in one day. Then, based on what you see in a few minutes, calculate whether it makes sense.
• When the factory was set up, what was the expected (theoretical) capacity?
• What is the lead time from receipt of all materials/components to full packing?
• What materials/components do they buy? Do they only do the final assembly and packing, or they also make some components?

Questions about the quality management system

(See more checkpoints in a previous article about ISO factory audits.)

• How do they control the incoming components? Can you see it?
• How do they do in-process QC? Can you see it?
• How do they do final QC? Can you see it?
• Do they send samples for testing in a laboratory? Can you see the test result for a production batch that you point to them?

Questions about certificates and other customers

• Who do they work with? Can they give you references that you can call? Do they work directly with these customers, or through an intermediary?
• Can they show you the latest two purchase orders from a big customer they proudly mentioned to you?
• Can you see their business and export licenses? Can you take a photo of them to show to your investors?
• The last time they made a big mistake regarding product quality and their customer found out about it after shipment, what did they offer as compensation?

Questions about payment

• What is the usual bank that they request customers to pay into?
• Do they have a Hong Kong account?
• What are the payment terms?

Get answers to these questions and you’ll be far closer to deciding if this potential supplier is the right choice to manufacture your products.

The Next Step…A Factory Audit

Your visit to the supplier’s factory is really helpful for fact-checking and finding, but there are 2 issues to contend with:

1. You may not be able to attend the supplier’s factory (perhaps you’re too busy or there are other reasons preventing you from visiting China such as it having closed its borders to foreign visitors as of now in July ).
2. You may lack the expertise or knowledge to professionally assess the supplier’s capabilities.

This is why factory audits from an expert team are really helpful, as the auditor will assess the supplier’s manufacturing capabilities, possible risks, management and organization, and much more, providing a detailed report that will aid your decision.

Even if you cannot get to China to visit the supplier’s factory, the auditor will act as your eyes and ears. Also, as mentioned in the podcast episode included here, it’s possible to ask the auditor to take a few extra photos of certain areas of interest (such as the conditions that operators work in) or ask some specific questions.

*****

Did I forget any other questions? What have you found to be particularly useful to ask or see when visiting a Chinese factory?

Editor’s note: This blog post is based on an earlier post from QualityInspection.org, but has been edited for Sofeast readers.

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