On June 24th 2022, the High-level Dialogue on Global Development was held during the 14th BRICS Summit. Focusing on the theme “Foster a Global Development Partnership for the New Era to Jointly Implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development”, the participating leaders had in-depth discussions, reached broad consensus, and issued a list of 32 deliverables. In the list, Item 18 stated that China would jointly launch the Bamboo as a Substitute for Plastic Initiative with International Bamboo and Rattan Organization (INBAR) to reduce plastic pollution and address climate change.

In response to this initiative, ICBR set up a research project with INBAR on the R&D of new bamboo products as a substitute for plastics, with the first phase of the project spanning three years. Headed by Prof. Jiang Zehui, Chief Scientist at ICBR, a team of researchers will work on the development of new bamboo products as plastic substitutes through manufacture directly with bamboo materials, with bamboo fibers and with bamboo pulp and paper.

Bamboo is a low-carbon, renewable and recyclable quality material as the plant is fast growing and abundant in resource. Advances in science and technology have enabled bamboo to act as an alternative to plastic in more and more areas. Going forward, ICBR and INBAR will continue joint, tireless efforts to promote bamboo as a substitute for plastics through the research, standardization and promotion of bamboo products and join hands in advancing global green development, reducing plastic pollution and addressing climate change.