Ecomaterials research in China

China has been developing its economy with a speed that it never experienced before and has achieved progress that attracts worldwide attention. However, as its large population and the pressures from resources and environment are constraining its economic and social development, China firmly chose the route of sustainable development. China's material experts have been pondering over ecological and environmental problems throughout the process of material design, fabrication, application, disposal and recycling. In recent years, the applied fundamental research on ecomaterials has been underway through the priority foundation project of the National Education Committee, NSFC and project of China's High-Tech. 863. Chinese Ecomaterials Society, and the Chinese Center for Materials Life Cycle Assessment (CCMLCA) are now being established. With the guidance and support of the government, our material researchers are now carefully drawing up a sustainable material development plan that is suitable for China's situation and carrying out extensive studies on ecomaterials science research and development of ecomaterials. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd All rights reserved.