The Xinjiang plastic film group standard has been officially released, with Siiico Agricultural Film as one of the main drafting units

▲ Announcement of Group Standard Release

On July 29, 2025, the review meeting for the China Plastics Association's group standard "Mechanized Recycling of Polyethylene Blow molded Agricultural Film Cover Film" (formerly known as "Mechanized Recycling of High strength Polyethylene Agricultural Blow molded Ground Cover Film") was held in Urumqi, Xinjiang. Wang Zhanjie, Chairman of the China Plastics Processing Industry Association and Director of the Standardization Technical Committee of the China Plastics Association, presided over the meeting.

The standard review team includes experts Peng Yongjie, Wang Haojiang, and Wang Jiandong from the Plastic Film Products Technical Committee of the China Plastics Association, researcher Li Xueyuan from the Xinjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, researcher Pei Xinmin from the Autonomous Region Agricultural Machinery Development Center, and researcher Ma Xingwang from the Resources and Environment Institute of the Xinjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences. Tian Yan, Vice Chairman of the China Plastics Association and Executive Director of the Youth League Standards Committee, serves as the leader of the standard review expert group. Zhang Jing, Director of the Expert Committee of the Plastic Association of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, represented the leading drafting unit of the standard and reported on the background, process, construction basis of the main technical indicator system, and handling of the standard solicitation for opinions.

▲ Review Meeting for the Group Standard of China Plastics Association on Mechanized Recycling of Polyethylene Blow molded Agricultural Film Cover Film (formerly known as Mechanized Recycling of High strength Polyethylene Agricultural Blow molded Floor Cover Film)

The development and implementation of this standard document is an important measure in response to the national strategy of agricultural pollution control from the source and plastic pollution control. The implementation of standards will effectively promote the transformation and upgrading of the agricultural film industry in Xinjiang and even the whole country towards high-intensity, long-life, and easy recycling, providing solid technical support for protecting the ecological environment of farmland and promoting green and high-quality development of agriculture.

Background of Group Standard Development

The group standard for mechanized recycling of polyethylene blown agricultural film covering film was approved by the China Plastics Processing Industry Association in October 2024, with the project number CPPIA-99-24-B-030. It is led by the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Plastics Association and jointly drafted by 41 enterprises and institutions involved in the entire film industry chain, including raw materials, equipment, production, testing, recycling, and reuse enterprises and research institutes. It is an important action to explore and solve the problem of residual film pollution control in agricultural fields in Xinjiang and promote sustainable agricultural development.

Xinjiang has a special continental seasonal geographical environment, and polyethylene film is one of the most important agricultural production materials. The widespread use of plastic film has given many crops a chance to survive. The high ultraviolet radiation and significant temperature difference between day and night in summer pose severe environmental challenges to polyethylene film. After 180 days of mulching growth, crops are harvested, and the time window for collecting residual films in spring and autumn is only about 15 days. Tens of millions of acres of farmland are facing difficulties in mechanized recycling of fragmented mulching films. It has become a consensus among most enterprises in the entire plastic film industry chain to improve the quality management of plastic film through standards, improve the thickness, mechanical properties and other indicators of plastic film, and meet the requirements of mechanical recycling for the remaining mechanical properties of plastic film.

Content of group standard formulation

Under the premise of large-scale mechanized operations, the standard technical index system scientifically sets key performance indicators including thickness, tensile strength, UV aging resistance, and 180 day recovery rate based on the correspondence between laboratory and field experimental data of plastic film. By closely following the characteristics of the Xinjiang region, we aim to enhance the weather resistance of the plastic film, resist damage from ultraviolet radiation and temperature differences, improve its mechanical properties (strength and toughness), and ensure that it can effectively support crop growth in harsh environments while ultimately achieving efficient mechanized recycling and further high-value reuse.

In order to provide solid data support for standard development, the standard development project team, together with research forces such as Xinjiang University and Xinjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, conducted extensive research in 18 counties and cities in Xinjiang and conducted rigorous field experiments. Through a comparative study of accelerated aging in the laboratory and natural exposure experimental data in farmland, the actual performance of different thicknesses of plastic film was systematically evaluated. Taking into account various factors such as aging resistance, recycling efficiency, and economic cost, 0.012 millimeters has been scientifically determined as the optimal thickness balance point.

▲ Preface to "Mechanized Recycling of Polyethylene Blown Agricultural Film Cover Film"

This standard release marks the dual recognition of Xinglian Agricultural Film's technological strength and leadership in the industry. As one of the leading writing units, Xinglian Agricultural Film not only deeply participated in the formulation of the core terms of the standard, but also integrated its years of technical accumulation and practical experience in the research and development of high-strength, high weather resistant and easily recyclable plastic film, ensuring the scientific and operable nature of the standard.

▲ High strength, high weather resistance, easy to recycle plastic film (high proof film) production workshop

At present, Guangdong Xinglian Technology Agricultural Film Co., Ltd. has successfully built a circular industry base for the operation, production, application, recycling, cleaning, granulation, and high-value reuse of Gaobao film in Xinjiang, Gansu, Heilongjiang and other regions, providing a model that can be referenced, replicated, and promoted for the construction of high standard farmland, agricultural non-point source pollution control, agricultural ecological environment protection, and beautiful rural construction. In the future, Xinglian Agricultural Film will continue to leverage its technological advantages and lead the film industry towards a more environmentally friendly and efficient direction through practical actions, setting a benchmark for the sustainable development of the national agricultural film industry and helping China's agriculture take more solid steps on the path of green development.

▲ Maigaiti Xinglian Technology Agricultural Film Co., Ltd

▲ Gansu Xinglian Plastic Industry Co., Ltd

▲ Heilongjiang Xinglian Plastic Industry Co., Ltd