Corn starch dinnerware refers to disposable eco-friendly tableware made mainly from corn starch through bio-based material processing technology. This kind of dinnerware takes advantage of the thermoplasticity of corn starch and is formed through injection molding, compression molding and other processes. It is an important part of the biodegradable tableware market.

Production Process Flow

Raw Material Proportions and Pretreatment

According to the requirements of GB 4806.7-2023, the raw material proportions for corn starch dinnerware are as follows:

• Corn starch: 70% - 85% (conforming to the GB/T 8885-2017 standard for edible corn starch)
• Polylactic acid (PLA): 10% - 20%
• Food-grade plasticizer: 3% - 5%
• Other additives: 2% - 5%

Production Process Flow:

1. Raw material pretreatment: Dry corn starch at 80℃ for 4 hours to reduce moisture content to ≤1%
2. Mixing process: Use a high-speed mixer to blend raw materials according to the formula ratio, with temperature controlled at 60±5℃
3. Plasticizing extrusion: Use a twin-screw extruder with segmented temperature control:
   • Zone 1: 120-130℃
   • Zone 2: 140-150℃
   • Zone 3: 150-160℃
   • Die head: 155-165℃
4. Hot pressing molding: Mold under 160-180℃ and 10-15MPa pressure
5. Cooling and shaping: Use a segmented cooling process with a cooling rate controlled at 1-2℃/s
6. Edge trimming: Remove burrs with an automated edge trimming machine
7. Quality inspection: Conduct full inspection according to GB 18006.3-2020 standard
8. Ultraviolet disinfection: Irradiate with 254nm ultraviolet light for 30 minutes
9. Aseptic packaging: Complete packaging in a 10,000-level clean workshop

Product Features of Corn Starch Dinnerware

1. Raw Material Sustainability

• Raw Material Source: Primarily non-food corn and processing by-products are used
• Resource Efficiency: 0.8 tons of dinnerware can be produced from each ton of corn starch
• Carbon Footprint: 60% lower than traditional plastics (Data source: China Plastics Processing Industry Association 2024)

2. Environmentally Friendly Production Processes

• Wastewater Discharge: No process wastewater is discharged during production
• Energy Consumption Index: The comprehensive energy consumption is reduced by 40-50% compared to traditional plastics
• VOC Emission: Volatile organic compound emissions are less than 10mg/m³

3. Performance Indicators

Physical Properties (in accordance with GB/T 18006.2-2020):

Safety Performance:

• Bisphenol A: Not detected (Detection limit: 0.01 mg/kg)
• Heavy metal migration: Complies with the limit requirements of GB 31604.1-2015
• Microbial indicators: Total colony count < 100 CFU/g

4. Degradation Characteristics

Industrial Composting Conditions (in accordance with GB/T 38082-2021):

• 45-day biodegradation rate: ≥ 60%
• 90-day biodegradation rate: ≥ 90%
• Final products: CO₂, H₂O and biomass

Under natural conditions:

• Soil degradation cycle: 12 - 24 months
• Ecotoxicity of degradation products: Tested in accordance with GB/T 27855-201

Technical Advantages

1. Environmental Friendliness

• Renewable raw materials: Corn is an annual crop and can be sustainably supplied
• Complete degradation: It degrades completely into harmless substances under suitable conditions
• Carbon emission reduction: The carbon emissions throughout its life cycle are reduced by 2.1 tons per ton of product compared to traditional plastics

2. Convenience of Use

• Microwave Compatibility: Can be heated for 3 minutes at 800W power
• Refrigeration Performance: Resistant to low temperatures of -25℃
• Hot Food Serving: Can withstand short-term exposure to 100℃ high temperatures

3. Safety and Reliability

• Free of harmful substances: No bisphenol A, phthalates, etc.
• Food contact safety: Certified by GB 4806.7-2023
• Comfortable to use: Smooth surface, comfortable touch

Market Prospects and Development Trends

Policy Support

According to the "Action Plan for Plastic Pollution Control during the 14th Five-Year Plan" issued by the National Development and Reform Commission:

• 2025 Target: The market share of biodegradable tableware is expected to increase to 30%
• Industry Scale: It is projected to reach 8 billion yuan by 2025
• Technological Development: Focus on breaking through the bottlenecks of cost and performance

Cost Trends

• Current Cost: 20-30% higher than traditional plastics
• Cost Reduction Pathways:
  • Large-scale production: Cost can be reduced by 15%
  • Technological progress: Cost can be further reduced by 10%
  • Policy subsidies: Offset 5-8% of the cost

Application Expansion

• Food Delivery: 2.5 billion units used in 2023
• Airline Catering: Penetration rate has reached 15%
• Schools and Government Agencies: Annual procurement volume has increased by 40%

Quality Assurance System

Certification Requirements

• Food Contact Materials Production License (SC Certificate)
• ISO 9001 Quality Management System Certification
• OK compost INDUSTRIAL Certification
• China Environmental Labeling Product Certification

Testing Standards

• Physical properties: GB/T 18006.2-2020
• Safety performance: GB 4806.7-2023
• Degradation performance: GB/T 38082-2021
• Migration test: GB 31604.1-2015

Conclusion

According to the prediction of the China Plastics Processing Industry Association, by 2030, the penetration rate of corn starch-based biodegradable tableware in the disposable tableware market will reach 40%, replacing about 500,000 tons of traditional plastic annually, making significant contributions to plastic pollution control and carbon emission reduction.