Plastics: The Discovery in the World and Development in China

Abstract

Alexander Parkes found the earliest plastic in 1850. American scientist John Wesley Hyatt achieved the first patent of plastic (1970) and inaugurated the first plastics industry (1873) with his brother in the world. From then on, plastics industry all over the world have experienced about 150 years development. Based on the learning from overseas industries, China gradually constructed and cultivated himself plastics industry system that is full of Chinese characteristics. The amount of plastics production, plastics products and plastics machine production as well as plastics consumption in China increased quickly. The value of plastics import and export trade rose year by year. Nowadays, China reaches an advanced level in the world no matter plastics machine production, plastic goods production, plastics consumption, or outlet of plastics machines and products. Plastic industry has be one of the important light manufacturing pillar industries in society and economics development of China.