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Frequently Asked Questions


What are the development trends in the pulp-molded tableware industry over the next 3-5 years? What is the potential for market size growth?

Over the next 3-5 years, the pulp-molded tableware industry will exhibit four major development trends: First, continuous technological upgrades—core technologies such as dry-process manufacturing and bio-based coatings will keep maturing, further reducing costs and driving product performance toward higher-end and multi-functional features (e.g., antibacterial properties, thermal insulation, and customization). Second, optimization of raw material composition: The proportion of renewable non-wood fibers, such as bamboo pulp and bagasse, will increase to over 80%, establishing a stable raw-material supply system. Third, rising industry concentration: Leading companies, leveraging their scale, technological expertise, and distribution channels, will see their market share rise above 70%, while smaller enterprises will shift toward niche segments. Fourth, accelerated global expansion: Domestic companies will set up factories overseas to circumvent trade barriers and tap into emerging markets (such as Southeast Asia and the Middle East). The market boasts enormous growth potential. According to industry reports, by 2025, China’s pulp-molded fast-food container market is projected to reach 15.87 billion yuan, with a compound annual growth rate of 18%-22% from 2025 to 2030, potentially pushing the market size beyond 50 billion yuan by 2030. Globally, the market size is expected to surpass 12 billion U.S. dollars by 2025 and could reach 30 billion U.S. dollars by 2030, signaling that the industry has entered a period of rapid growth.

 

What are the advantages of dry-process production technology compared to traditional wet-process production technology? What is the current level of adoption of dry-process technology within the industry?

Compared to the traditional wet-process production method, the dry-process production technology boasts three core advantages: First, it is more environmentally friendly. The wet process consumes 100–150 tons of water per ton of product, generating large volumes of fiber-containing wastewater with high treatment costs. In contrast, the dry process uses solid-state fiber-forming technology that requires no water consumption, achieving zero wastewater discharge and enabling 100% recycling and reuse of waste materials. Second, it offers higher production efficiency. The dry-process production line employs PLC-controlled vacuum suction molding combined with clean-energy-driven cyclic heating and curing technology, increasing production efficiency by 40% compared to the wet process. A single production line can now achieve a daily output of up to 180,000 units, with a stable product qualification rate exceeding 96% (compared to about 90% for the wet process). Third, the products exhibit superior performance. Tableware produced via the dry process has a higher fiber density, enhanced temperature resistance, and greater compressive strength, allowing it to withstand high-temperature heating up to 150°C and achieving an antibacterial rate of 99%. Currently, the adoption rate of the dry-process technology is still in the early stages of growth. Due to the relatively high equipment investment—ranging from 30% to 50% higher per dry-process production line than for wet-process lines—the technology is mainly used in the production of mid-to-high-end tableware. At present, dry-process capacity accounts for approximately 25% of the industry’s total. However, as the technology matures and costs decline over the next three to five years, the adoption rate is expected to rise to over 50%.

 

In which regions are the export markets for pulp-molded tableware primarily concentrated? What environmental standards must exports comply with in various countries or regions?

The export market for pulp-molded tableware is primarily concentrated in developed countries and regions with stringent environmental policies and high environmental awareness. The core markets include: Europe (accounting for 40% of total exports, mainly comprising EU countries such as Germany, France, Italy, and Spain); North America (accounting for 30%, mainly the United States and Canada); and East Asia (accounting for 20%, mainly Japan and South Korea). The remaining 10% are distributed across regions such as Australia, New Zealand, and Southeast Asia. Export shipments must comply with the strict environmental standards of the target countries or regions, specifically including: in the European Union, compliance with EN 13432 standard (for compostable and biodegradable materials) and REACH regulation (Registration, Evaluation, Authorization, and Restriction of Chemicals); in the United States, compliance with ASTM D6400 standard (for compostable plastics) and FDA safety standards for food-contact materials; and in Japan, compliance with JIS K 6953 standard (for biodegradable plastics) and relevant requirements under the Food Sanitation Law. Additionally, some countries require certification reports from third-party authoritative organizations—for example, TÜV certification in the EU and BPI certification in the U.S.—to ensure the degradability and safety of the products.

 

What support policies does the national and local governments offer to the pulp-molded tableware industry? What tax and financial incentives can enterprises enjoy?

The support policies issued by the national and local governments for the pulp-molded tableware industry cover multiple dimensions. The core policies include: First, industrial positioning support—pulp-molded tableware has been included in the list of strategic emerging industries, clearly recognizing its role as a substitute in tackling plastic pollution. Second, market-guidance policies—local “plastic restriction orders” require the catering and food-delivery sectors to prioritize the use of biodegradable tableware, and the adoption of eco-friendly packaging is factored into corporate credit ratings. Third, tax incentives—high-tech enterprises meeting certain criteria can enjoy a preferential corporate income tax rate of 15% (compared to the standard rate of 25%), and R&D expenses are eligible for an additional deduction (75% of R&D expenses can be deducted before taxation). Fourth, financial support—the central government allocates annual special funds of 2 to 3 billion yuan for green manufacturing, aimed at supporting enterprises’ technological upgrades. Green loans carry interest rates that are 0.3 to 0.5 percentage points lower than those for conventional loans, and some regions also offer fiscal subsidies on loan interest. Fifth, subsidies and rewards—many localities provide capacity subsidies to manufacturers of eco-friendly tableware, offer end-user subsidies to businesses that adopt such products, and grant export tax rebates to companies engaged in foreign trade exports.

 

What are the main raw materials used in pulp-molded tableware? Besides wood, what is the current status of using renewable resources such as bamboo pulp and bagasse?

The primary raw material for pulp-molded tableware is pulp, which can be categorized into three major types based on its source: wood pulp, non-wood pulp (such as bamboo pulp, bagasse pulp, and straw pulp), and waste paper pulp. Wood pulp was widely used in the early stages; however, due to the scarcity of timber resources and higher carbon emissions, its share in the market has been gradually declining. By contrast, renewable non-wood fibers such as bamboo pulp and bagasse have become the industry’s mainstream raw materials and are currently enjoying robust application. Specifically, bagasse pulp boasts the highest usage rate—accounting for approximately 40% of the total raw material volume—thanks to its large production volume and relatively low cost (China produces over 100 million tons of bagasse annually, of which about 30 million tons can be recycled for pulping). Bamboo pulp, with its high fiber strength and short growth cycle (bamboo can reach maturity in just 3–5 years), accounts for roughly 25% of the market and is mainly used to produce high-quality tableware. Pulp made from agricultural residues such as straw pulp and rice husk pulp constitutes about 15% of the market, while waste paper pulp makes up around 20%, primarily used for manufacturing industrial packaging or lower-end tableware products. Currently, the industry is leveraging technological R&D to enhance the utilization rate of non-wood fibers, reduce raw material costs, and further optimize the composition of raw materials.

 

What qualifications are required to enter the pulp-molded tableware manufacturing industry? What is the approximate initial investment threshold?

Entering the pulp-molded tableware manufacturing industry requires several key qualifications, including: 1. Production licensing—specifically, a license for the production of plastic products intended for food contact (i.e., SC certification), which must comply with the national standards of the GB 4806 series; 2. Environmental compliance—such as obtaining a pollution discharge permit that meets relevant standards for wastewater, exhaust gas, and solid waste disposal, including the "Emission Standards for Water Pollutants in the Pulp and Paper Industry"; 3. Product certification—such as certifications for biodegradable products and food safety testing reports; In addition, businesses must also hold basic operational licenses, such as a business license and tax registration certificate. The initial investment threshold varies depending on the scale of production and the specific manufacturing process. Currently, mainstream large-scale production (using a single production line) typically requires an initial investment of approximately 10 to 15 million yuan, primarily for constructing standardized production facilities (around 3,000 to 5,000 square meters), introducing fully automated production lines (about 5 to 8 million yuan per line), purchasing environmental protection equipment (approximately 2 to 3 million yuan), and stocking raw materials. Smaller, workshop-style operations have lower initial investments, but they struggle to meet environmental and product quality standards and are gradually being phased out by the market.

 

What are the current production costs of pulp-molded tableware? How much higher is the price compared to traditional plastic tableware, and can ordinary foodservice operators afford it?

Currently, the production cost of pulp-molded tableware is gradually declining as technology improves and production scales up. The production cost for mainstream products is approximately 0.13 to 0.17 yuan per piece, while the retail price in the market is around 0.2 to 0.3 yuan per piece. In contrast, the production cost of conventional plastic tableware is roughly 0.05 to 0.08 yuan per piece, with a retail price of about 0.1 to 0.15 yuan per piece. Thus, pulp-molded tableware is priced 50% to 100% higher than plastic tableware. However, ordinary catering businesses can easily afford it for three main reasons: First, the cost of tableware accounts for an extremely small proportion of the total cost per meal. Even if businesses switch to pulp-molded tableware, the additional cost per serving would only be 0.1 to 0.2 yuan, which can be absorbed through slight adjustments to menu prices or internal cost optimizations. Second, government policies are helping to reduce costs—many regions offer subsidies to businesses that use eco-friendly tableware (e.g., a subsidy of 0.02 to 0.05 yuan per piece), and food-delivery platforms also provide incentives such as increased traffic exposure or cost subsidies. Third, consumer acceptance is on the rise: 78.3% of young consumers are willing to pay a small premium for eco-friendly packaging. Moreover, by using eco-friendly tableware, businesses can enhance their brand image and boost customer loyalty.

 

How are the water- and oil-resistant properties of pulp-molded tableware? Can they meet the needs of serving takeout meals and soups with high liquid content?

Pulp-molded tableware that has undergone technological upgrades now boasts waterproof and oil-resistant properties that fully meet the demands of everyday dining and takeaway scenarios. Currently, the industry predominantly adopts bio-based coating technologies—such as plant waxes and polylactic acid coatings—to replace traditional fluorocarbon coatings. These bio-based coatings not only ensure excellent waterproof and oil-resistant performance but also do not compromise the material’s biodegradability. Testing has shown that high-quality pulp-molded tableware can maintain its waterproof integrity for over 72 hours. When used to hold soups, oily foods (such as spicy hot pots, fried chicken, braised pork, etc.), it will neither leak nor soften. Additionally, the tableware exhibits a wide temperature tolerance—from -20°C to 120°C—making it suitable for direct microwave heating or refrigerated storage, thus adapting well to the temperature fluctuations encountered during takeaway delivery. However, it’s important to note that if the tableware is damaged, its coating is scratched, or it’s used for extended periods to hold high-temperature or high-fat foods, its waterproof and oil-resistant performance may be affected. Therefore, we recommend selecting products that have been certified for quality and using them according to proper guidelines.

 

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