Turning Sugarcane Waste into Sustainable Tableware: Gengma’s Green Manufacturing Model

In recent years, Gengma Dai and Wa Autonomous County, located in Lincang City, Yunnan Province, China, has pioneered a new model of eco-friendly manufacturing. Leveraging its 400,000 mu (~26,700 hectares) of sugarcane fields, the region transforms leftover bagasse, a byproduct of sugar production, into biodegradable, compostable tableware.

From Sugarcane Waste to Sustainable Use

Rather than discarding or burning bagasse, Gengma factories repurpose the natural cellulose fibers within it to produce eco-disposable plates, bowls, and cutlery. These products naturally degrade in the environment without releasing microplastics—making them a greener alternative to traditional plastic.

Export-Oriented, International Recognition

Today, Gengma's compostable tableware is primarily exported to European markets, including Germany and Italy, where demand for plastic alternatives continues to grow under environmental policy pressures. The industry now generates nearly 100 million RMB in annual output, while also creating jobs and strengthening rural development.

Clean Manufacturing in Action

This green innovation is made possible by a collaboration between sugar mills and pulp manufacturers. After extracting impurities from raw bagasse, fiber-modified pulp is blended to create moldable materials ideal for single-use food containers.

Eco + Economy: A Replicable Model

By closing the loop between agriculture, pulp-making, and sustainable packaging, Gengma offers a replicable model for circular economy practices in rural China. With growing global demand for compostable packaging solutions, this model is attracting attention from both policymakers and international buyers.