Improvements and Economic Impacts of Polymer Technology in China - Case Study Example

Improvements and Economic Impacts of Polymer Technology in China Table of Contents Chapter 3 Introduction 3 Definition of polymer 3 General Understanding of Polymer Technology 3 The Development of Polymer Market in China 4 Chapter 2 4 Overview of China Polymer Technology 4 Impacts Of Polymer Technology In Chinas Economy 6 Improvements in Polymer Technology 6 Chapter 3 7 The Future of Polymer Markets Globally 7 Chinas Global Share of Patents Volumes 7 Chapter 4 8 Environmental Benefits of Using Polymer Materials 8 Challenges faced in China regarding the use of polymer materials 9 Weak internal-Innovation of firms 9 Low Awareness of Research 9 Minimal Internal use of Polymer Technology 10 Low Awareness of Application 10 How China can overcome the above challenges 10 Enhancing the Application Awareness 10 Improving the Application of Polymer Technology 11 Training professionals 11 Technological Solutions to Polymer Issues in China 11 References 13 Improvements and Economic Impacts of Polymer Technology in China Chapter 1 Introduction According to World Bank Report (2012), China’s economy will continue to grow by 7.7 percent in 2013. In the recent years, revitalized interest in bio-based or renewable materials has emerged. The emergence is because of the recent rise in petroleum prices, concerns in environmental impacts of crude oil and the issues of national security related to petroleum resources. However, China has not embraced the use Polymer technology in its economy as compared to other countries. To improve the current plastic contribution to environmental pollution resulting mainly from high population, China government should emphasize on applications of polymer technology. Definition of polymer A polymer is a large macromolecule that consists of small and repetitive units. In biological and synthetic materials, a macromolecule refers to the polymer. A large number of polymers used for commercial purposes originate from monomers. Polymers with solid-like properties typically have many repetitive units in each chain that form the polymer products General Understanding of Polymer Technology There are two types of polymers namely bio-based polymers and biodegradable polymers. Biodegradable polymers are the materials that their chemical and physical properties deteriorate and completely degrade upon exposure to microorganisms’ aerobic and anaerobic processes such as carbon dioxide, methane and water (Babu, OConnor, and Seeram, 2013). Some bio--based polymers can be recycled while others are or non-recyclable like polylatic acid and biopolyhethylene. Many bio-based polymers are recyclable like starch and polyhydroxyalkanoates, and some recyclable polymers are not bio-based, example, polycaprolactone (Ren, 2010). According to Doug 2010, bio-based polymers hold a tiny fraction of the total world’s plastic market; currently biopolymers share is less than 1 percent of the total market. The global interest in bio-based polymers has increased recently due to the need and the desire to find non- fossil fuel based polymers. Bio based polymers reduce the dependence on fossil fuels; it therefore offers positive environment impact by reducing the carbon dioxide emissions. The Development of Polymer Market in China The first generation of polymers developed polymers from agricultural feeds such as corn and potatoes. However, the focus changed recent transition from food-based resources due to significant breakthroughs in biotechnology. Just like the conventional polymers, bio-based polymers are produced by bacterial fermentation process by synthesizing monomers from renewable resources like the starch and cellulose, fatty acids an organic waste. Chapter 2 Overview of China Polymer Technology Chinese objective of transforming its economy from a manufacturing-based one to a knowledge-based economy has led to great improvement technologies and materials. The development of polymer building material in China has increased rapidly. However, china face some issues in the use of polymer materials in the building and construction industry (IOP Science, 2014). According to Plaste Europe (2014) report, the global demand for polymers will continue to grow by approximately 5% per year reaching more than 300 million tons come year 2018. This is due to the increase in consumption in developing countries. China is currently the largest polymer-consuming region accounting for about 30 percent of volumes in 2013 as illustrated in the chart below. Source: (Plast Europe, 2014) Geographically, China remains the largest producer of plastics ahead of North America and Europe (Plast Europe, 2011). In thermoplastics, polyethylene, polypropylene, and PVC had the biggest share as the chart below illustrates. In January 2013, China imported 143210 ton of synthetic rubber being 16.72% increase month over month and 42.31% up year over year. Similarly, China imported 2250000 tons of primary shape plastics being 9.2% up month over month and 40.3% year over year. Source: (Plast Europe, 2011) Impacts Of Polymer Technology In Chinas Economy Chinas demand for polyoxymethylene POM has increased at a fast rate in the past decade. There are expectations that the demand and production will continue to grow in the next five years (Global Information, 2013). POM market improved after the Chinese Spring Festival. In February, China the market price of chloroprene rubber remained stable in a slow trading due to the spring festival. Although real estate industry begun to recover following strict control policy by the China government, the demand for chloroprene rubber final products would still be low. According to China Association of automobiles manufacturers, China sold and produced 2034500 and 1954500 vehicles respectively in January, being 12.41% and 10.06 increased month over month, 46.38 and 51.17 percent up year over year respectively (CNCIC Report 2013) Improvements in Polymer Technology Recently People Party Daily Online announced the Chinese government aim of boosting the annual output of its recycling industry to $287 billion by the year 2015. However, it may take a while before china’s domestic market develops infrastructure and collection processes to fuel the domestic demand in china. Most recyclers hesitate on investing in expensive and automated sorting technology and opt to use hands in sorting. This is due to the high tariff cost on imported plastic materials and the perceived lack of security in the industry. Moore Recycling Associates (2011) noted that 39% of plastics recyclers in china ceased their business by the end of 2008. Another significant inhibitor is waste collection inconsistencies. Despite the centralized push to unite collectors, the oversight of these facilities remains delegated to local authorities leading to complications in the implementation of the law. Xu, 2010 noted a variation of monitoring and enforcement in these laws. Chapter 3 The Future of Polymer Markets Globally The worldwide polymer markets continue to be under immense pressure due to challenges of European debt crisis, increase in competition and a slowdown in growth of emerging markets. Due to the worsening of the European debt crisis in 2011, the industry faced further difficulties. China continues to be largest word market for polymers. Polymer consumption is likely to reach 21 million tons by year 2015, with polyethylene PE having the last share of the increase followed by polypropene, with polyvinyl chloride VC and polystyrene PS having the lowest increase as the chart below illustrates (Source: (Plastemart, 2014)) Chinas Global Share of Patents Volumes The technology profile in China falls into two categories namely digital processing technology and polymer technology also pharma or natural product technology. China’s digital sector has a portfolio of innovation in the as compared to the US and Japan. This is due to its robust and comprehensive protection by universities and corporations. The big difference falls in the pharma/ natural products sectors where China is dominant in this area by volume. Since the establishment of ChemChina in 2004, China experienced a constant increase in the number of applications. In 2010, the patent and utility model application reached a maximum of about 170 as seen in figure 4 below. The patent application accounts for only 70% an observation that shows the need for protection in Chemchina’s technology Figure 4 Source: (Chinese Champions, 2015). China has been experiencing an increase in the number of published patents over a number of years, a trend it has maintained up to date. Polymers application being one of those patents (Gettys, 2014). However, the quality of these patents is still questionable. The quality of the china’s innovations depends on the technology sector considered and the nature of the organizations conducting the innovation. Chapter 4 Environmental Benefits of Using Polymer Materials A large percentage solid waste is from materials used in packaging goods. Increase in this type of waste is an issue that has raised environmental alarm resulting in strengthening of regulations with an aim of reducing the amount of waste generated. Presently, packaging applications have preferred to use of oil-based polymers. Most of the materials used in packaging are non-biodegradable thus hard to recycle due to the composites in them and their high degree of contamination (Song et al., 2009). Recently there is significant progress in producing recyclable plastics from renewable natural resources. The aim of this progress is to produce eco-friendly materials with the same purpose as that of oil-based polymers. Use of eco-friendly materials will help in reducing the negative environmental impacts resulting from waste material from oil-based polymers Challenges faced in China regarding the use of polymer materials China is a country that experiences low utilization of polymer materials in building as compared to other countries. One of the factors leading to the low usage of materials is a lack of knowledge of the benefits accumulating from using those materials. Other reasons for the low usage are weak self-innovation, insufficient research on those materials among other listed below; Weak internal-Innovation of firms Innovation is the soul for national growth. However, innovativeness of building and construction firms in China currently pose many problems and concerns. Most of the Chinese designers follow the construction standards in their design activities instead of supporting the growth of innovation in building materials. Low Awareness of Research In china, a large number of building and construction companies invest less in research and development programs. This makes it hard for them to appreciate the importance of these materials and how they can improve and solve some of the technical issues that may arise. In addition, the involved departments within the Chinese government have not shown support for the industry through the guidance on how to use polymer materials in the building sector. Minimal Internal use of Polymer Technology Despite the absolute development of polymer building material in China, their specific use is relatively low. The reason behind the low use of the technology is the fact that the building sector does not prioritize the use of these materials in building due to their high cost.This lead to restriction in concrete application Low Awareness of Application A good number Chinese designers lack ample knowledge on the use and the performance of polymer materials in building. Therefore, they lack an understanding of the importance of polymer materials in their building designs. The designers therefore prefer to use old technology materials that they have confidence in, a move that does not help in improving the innovativeness of the building sector. How China can overcome the above challenges To deal with the emerging challenges from the use of polymer resources, the Chinese government should adopt measures to help resolve the issue. Some of the actions the government can take are as follows; Enhancing the Application Awareness China government should use proper measures to support the usage of polymer resources by urging the building sector and the concerned personnel to spend funds and resources to improve the status of buildings in China. By so doing the construction industry and the workers will understand the importance of these materials, thus improve the quality of structures. In addition, effective communication between the Building and research departments in China will help the construction firms have a clear understanding and adopt measures on the proper use of polymer materials. The extensive utilization of polymer materials in China will help in changing the conservative strategy of polymer materials. Building designers and the constructors must spend time and energy to master the usage of polymer resources available. With so doing China will enjoy the benefit of promoting the polymer materials. Improving the Application of Polymer Technology Besides the use of the already designed polymeric materials, the Chinese government should encourage construction companies to study actively on higher performing materials that fit their construction needs. The measure will help in changing the traditional thought of architecture and thus improve the architectural designs in China. The management in the building industry should broaden the use new ideas and try to maximize the use of polymer resources by mixing them with other materials to come up with unique designs. Training professionals The China government should encourage learning institutions dealing to establish a special research unit within their institution to help learners gain knowledge on the use of polymers. The unit should seek to gather technical personnel to promote the reasonable use of polymer materials. In addition, the construction companies should actively provide technical staff with knowledge in the use of polymer resources to help them understand and apply the use polymer materials in their building and construction works Technological Solutions to Polymer Issues in China The rising global social and environmental concern and the recent decline in petroleum resources have led to the enforcement of search for green composite materials that are environmentally friendly. Starch is a natural polymer that has many unique properties. Thus combining the individual properties of starch and those of synthetic polymers, starch-based biodegradable polymers are prospective due to the wide variety of manufacturing processes, each producing their characteristics products, the design possibilities are numerous. In conclusion, through the support of government, learning institutions and that of the construction industry, China will advance its research and development capabilities of polymer materials. As a result of the extension of polymer materials in construction and engineering polymer material, China will have a bright future and thus serve the country’s industry better. References Babu, Ramesh P, OConnor, Kevin and Seeram, Ramakrishna, 2013. Current progress on bio-based polymers and their future trends. Web. February 9, 2015. Retrieved from http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186%2F2194-0517-2-8#page-1 Chinese Champions. 2015. China National Chemical Corporation. Web. February 9, 2015. Retrieved from http://www.chinese-champions.com/chemchina/ CNCIC Report, (2013). China national chemical information research institute of industry economic Current progress on bio-based polymers and their future trends. Web. February 9, 2015. Retrieved from http://www.cncic.cn/OrderList/CPMB-Issue3.pdf Doug, S (2010). Bioplastics: technologies and global markets. BCC research reports PLS050A. Web. February 9, 2015. Retrieved from http://www.bccresearch.com/report/bioplastics-technologies-markets-pls050a.htm Gettys, T (2014).Chinas IQ innovation quotient: Trends in patenting and the globalization of Chinese innovation. Thomson Reuters. Web. February 9, 2015. Retrieved from http://ip.thomsonreuters.com/sites/default/files/chinas-innovation-quotient.pdf Global Information (2013). Premium market research reports. Web. February 9, 2015. Retrieved from http://www.giiresearch.com/report/amid171966-cn-polyoxymethylene.html IOP Science (2014). The Analysis of the Usage of Building Materials in China. Web. February 9, 2015. Retrieved from http://iopscience.iop.org/1757-899X/62/1/012006/pdf/1757-899X_62_1_012006.pdf Moore Recycling Associates Inc (2011).Film, PET and Mixed Plastic Recycling in China. Web. February 9, 2015. Retrieved from http://www.moorerecycling.com/m_02_00.htm People’s Daily Online. (February 10, 2013). China targets 287bln‐USD resource recycling industry. Retrieved from http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/90778/8127262.html Plaste Europe. 2011. Plastics Markets. Web. February 9, 2015. Retrieved from http://www.plasteurope.com/news/PLASTICS_MARKETS_t221996 Plaste Europe. 2014. Plastics Markets. Web. February 9, 2015. Retrieved from http://www.plasteurope.com/news/POLYMER_MARKET_t229768 Plastemart. 2014. Global commodity polymers market continues to be under severe pressure from challenges. Web. February 9, 2015. Retrieved from http://www.plastemart.com/Plastic-Technical-Article.asp?LiteratureID=1837&Paper=global-commodity-polymer-market-under-pressure-challenges Ren, J. (2010). Biodegradable poly (lactic acid): Synthesis, modification, processing and applications. Beijing: Tsinghua University Press. Song, J.H., Murphy, R.J., Narayan, R., Davies, G.B., (2009). Biodegradable and compostable alternatives to conventional plastics. Roy Society Publication. Web. February 9, 2015. Retrieved from http://rstb.royalsocietypublishing.org/content/364/1526/2127 World Bank report (2012). GDP growth (annual %). Web. February 9, 2015. Retrieved from http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NY.GDP.MKTP.KD.ZG Xu, (2011).Chinas Stir Fry’ of Environmentally Related Taxes and Charges: Too Many Cook at Work, Journal of Environmental Law 23 (2):255 Read More