Technological innovation and fundamental science for bamboo as a substitute for plastic

“Bamboo as a substitute for plastic (BASP)” is a significant international initiative co-launched by the Chinese government and the International Bamboo and Rattan Organization (INBAR). It holds profound implications for addressing global plastic pollution and supporting national strategies such as “Dual Carbon” goals and the green development of the “Belt and Road” Initiative. However, the absence of a systematic scientific foundation for bamboo-based plastic substitution has severely constrained the efficiency and scale of the BASP industry. This review systematically outlines the major technological advances and industrial achievements made since the initiative's inception. Guided by the “Four Poles” research perspective (exploring extreme scales, delving into extreme micro-realms, operating under extreme conditions, and fostering extreme interdisciplinary convergence), it focuses on analyzing the biological formation characteristics of bamboo and its multi-scale structural features—spanning macroscopic, microscopic, super-microscopic, to molecular levels—and elucidates the structure-property relationships between these features and their substitution potential. Furthermore, the review identifies four fundamental scientific questions that constrain the development of new quality productive forces in the industry: (1) the formation and genetic regulation mechanisms of key bamboo traits for plastic substitution; (2) the composite recombination mechanisms of bamboo aggregate units for substitution and their degradation and failure mechanisms under service conditions; (3) the mechanisms for green, precise separation and controllable assembly of bamboo fibers; and (4) the selective depolymerization and reconstruction conversion mechanisms of bamboo components. Additionally, the paper discusses the carbon sequestration potential of bamboo within the BASP context and the methodological challenges in the accurate life cycle carbon footprint accounting of bamboo products. By clarifying these scientific questions, this review aims to provide a solid scientific basis and theoretical framework for achieving high-quality and sustainable development of the BASP industry.