Researchers have developed a type of strong, bioplastic from bamboo. The material resembles oil-based plastics in strength and shapeability. It’s also claimed to biodegrade in soil within 50 days, offering a pathway towards sustainable plastic alternatives

Researchers revealed that they developed a non-toxic, alcohol solvent-based method to dissolve bamboo cellulose down to a molecular level, then direct the cellulose molecules to reassemble and organise into a tough plastic material. During dissolution, the cellulose is chemically modified to aid the formation of a strong molecular network upon regeneration.