With the tightening of global environmental policies and the implementation of plastic restriction regulations worldwide, degradable packaging bags have become a mainstream choice in cross-border trade, supermarket retail, and logistics packaging. They also help brands practice ESG environmental concepts and meet the compliance standards of major European and American markets. Many buyers often inquire about the differences between degradable bag categories to select suitable products according to application scenarios, export standards and budgets.
According to degradation mechanisms and materials, mainstream degradable plastic bags for foreign trade are mainly divided into two categories: fully biodegradable bags and photo-oxidative degradable bags. Fully biodegradable bags are the high-end mainstream with multiple common material subtypes:
1. Fully Biodegradable Plastic Bags (Market Mainstream & Compliance Priority)
Made from natural plant raw materials or biodegradable polyester, these bags can be completely decomposed into carbon dioxide and water in natural environments such as compost, soil and seawater, with no residues or microplastics. They fully comply with international environmental standards including EU EN13432 and US ASTM D6400, making them essential for exports to high-end markets in Europe, America and Australia. Main subtypes are as follows:
●PLA (Polylactic Acid) Degradable Bags: Derived from plant starch such as corn and sugarcane, featuring high transparency, stiffness and cleanliness with excellent appearance. They are widely used for food packaging, supermarket shopping bags and fresh food packaging, ideal for scenarios requiring high hygiene and appearance standards.
●PBAT Degradable Bags: Featured with high flexibility, tear resistance, tensile strength and low-temperature resistance, their toughness is far better than ordinary degradable bags. Usually used alone or compounded with PLA and starch, they are widely applied in logistics courier bags, clothing packaging bags and takeaway bags, perfect for long-distance cross-border transportation.
●Starch-based Degradable Bags: Mainly made of plant starch, with high cost performance and complete degradation performance. Suitable for general scenarios such as disposable garbage bags and ordinary shopping bags, they are popular for mid-range foreign trade orders.
2. Photo-oxidative Degradable Plastic Bags (Economical General Type)
Manufactured with photo-oxidative degradation additives, they can be gradually degraded under light and oxygen conditions. With low cost and high cost performance, they meet basic environmental protection requirements. However, they cannot be completely biodegraded and may produce tiny residues. They are mainly applicable to domestic sales and Southeast Asian markets with loose compliance requirements, not suitable for high-end exports to Europe and America.
We have years of professional experience in degradable packaging production, supporting customized sizes, printing and material ratios. All fully biodegradable products have passed authoritative international environmental certifications with stable quality and full compliance.
We can precisely meet diverse procurement needs for different countries and scenarios. Feel free to contact us for samples, customized solutions and bulk quotations!
