On this afternoon in early December he is recalling his past and projecting out a bit--five years hence--for the business empire whose saga has seen him go from plastic-flower manufacturer to the richest resident of Asia.

FORBES: Thoughts of Chairman Li

In New Zealand Scion Research works to convert the waste stream from pulp and paper processing into a blend of microbial cell wall debris and plastic called polyhydroxyalkanoate, or PHA. Plant a PHA flower pot into the ground and and it biodegrades.

FORBES: Revving Up Nature's Engines