In a bold step towards sustainability and innovation, the Industrial Technology Department of the Ministry of Economic Affairs has unveiled several groundbreaking circular-cycle technologies for people's livelihood textiles at the 2024 Smart City Exhibition. Displayed at the "Forward-looking Net Zero Pavilion" (Booth 715, Area S), these technologies epitomize the transition from traditional manufacturing to a circular economy, showcasing Taiwan's commitment to environmental stewardship and technological advancement.

Revolutionizing Textile Recycling Technology: The Concept of the Small Train Loop

At the exhibition, the concept of a small train loop was employed to illustrate the lifecycle of a piece of clothing. This creative demonstration showed how a garment could be recycled and reborn using advanced resource recycling technologies, embodying the practice of "Made in Taiwan" transforming into "Taiwan Circular." This innovative approach not only highlighted the potential for sustainable manufacturing but also emphasized the importance of resource efficiency and waste reduction in the textile industry. This demonstration provided an effective example of how businesses can reduce their environmental impact while still producing quality products. It highlighted the potential for Taiwan to become a global leader in sustainable manufacturing.

The Sustainable Textile Industry Chain Carbon Reduction Technology Development Plan

Beginning in 2023, the Department of Industrial Technology has entrusted the Textile Industry Research Institute (TTRI) with the "Sustainable Textile Industry Chain Carbon Reduction Technology Development Plan," a four-year initiative aimed at revolutionizing the textile sector. Liang Naiyun, the deputy director of the Textile Institute and program host, explained that the technologies showcased at the exhibition are part of this ambitious plan. These include:

1. Intelligent Fiber Sorting Technology for Fabric Recycling
2. Deep Decolorization Technology for Polyester Fabrics
3. Polyester Oxidation Separation and Recycling Technology
4. Recycled Polyester Microfiber Technology
5. Precision Functional Fabric Digital Coating/Printing Technology

Intelligent Fiber Sorting Technology

Intelligent fiber sorting technology represents a significant advancement in fabric recycling. By utilizing sophisticated algorithms and machine learning, this technology can accurately identify and sort different types of fiber. This precision in sorting ensures that the recycling process is more efficient, leading to higher-quality recycled materials and reducing the amount of waste that ends up in landfills. As well as identifying and removing pollutants from fiber, this technology can also detect and remove dyes, chemicals, and other impurities. As a result, more fiber can be recycled, increasing efficiency and reducing waste.

Deep Decolorization Technology for Polyester Fabrics

Deep decolorization technology addresses one of the major challenges in textile recycling: removing dyes from polyester fabrics. Traditional decolorization methods are often energy-intensive and environmentally harmful. However, this new technology uses advanced chemical processes to effectively strip dyes from polyester without damaging the fabric, making it easier to recycle and repurpose. Deep decolorization technology utilizes specialized chemical agents with a high affinity for the dye molecules in polyester fabrics. These agents bind to the dyes, breaking their chemical bonds and allowing them to be easily washed away. The advanced chemical processes also ensure that the fabric itself remains unaffected, preserving its quality and integrity throughout the decolorization process.

Polyester Oxidation Separation and Recycling Technology

Polyester oxidation separation and recycling technology have a profound impact on the textile industry, particularly in the recycling of T/C blended fabrics. This technology utilizes normal temperatures and pressure to maximize energy efficiency and minimize environmental impact. The ability to recycle the separation agents further enhances its sustainability. Rather than burning waste fabrics, this technology reduces carbon emissions by preventing their burning, thereby promoting a cleaner environment. In addition to its positive environmental impact, polyester oxidation separation and recycling technology offers significant economic benefits for the textile industry. Manufacturers can save money by sourcing new fabrics through this technology, while also tapping into the growing market for sustainable and recycled textiles. This not only helps companies meet consumer demand for eco-friendly products but also positions them as leaders in the industry's shift towards circularity and resource conservation.

Recycled Polyester Microfiber Technology

Recycled polyester microfiber technology has achieved a breakthrough in producing high-quality, high-viscosity recycled polyester. It can be used in everything. The resulting fibers can be as fine as one percent of the length of a human hair, enhancing the feel and quality of the fabric. Remarkably, recycled polyester textiles can be recycled and reused up to five times, positioning this technology at the forefront of global textile recycling efforts. It is projected to reduce carbon emissions by 100,000 metric tons, equivalent to the carbon absorption capacity of 260 Daan Forest Parks. This reduction is a significant contribution to global efforts to reduce carbon emissions and protect the environment. Recycled polyester textiles are becoming an increasingly popular choice for many textile manufacturers.

Precision Functional Fabric Digital Coating/Printing Technology
Precision functional fabric digital coating/printing technology is another innovative advancement that allows for the application of functional coatings to fabrics with high precision. This technology enables the creation of textiles with enhanced properties, such as water resistance, UV protection, and antibacterial effects, without compromising the fabric's recyclability. By improving the functionality and longevity of textiles, this technology supports the principles of a circular economy. This also reduces the need for material production, thus reducing the carbon footprint of the textile industry. It also enables the production of fabrics that are more tailored to the needs of the user.

Summary
The participation of TTRI in the 2024 Smart City Exhibition, showcasing the closed-cycle technologies for livelihood textiles, marks a significant step towards Taiwan's circular economy and sustainable development. For Fantastic Enterprise, we are lucky to locate at the high tech island, which is not only the frontier of AI, but also the heart of the sustainable advanced textile manufacturing.

We are dedicated to integrating the demonstrated technologies—such as intelligent fiber sorting, deep decolorization, polyester oxidation separation, recycled polyester microfiber, precision functional spray fabric, and microfiber shedding detection—into our operations. These innovations align with our vision of transforming traditional manufacturing into a model of efficiency and sustainability, reflecting our core values of resource optimization and waste reduction.

We are proud that the "Sustainable Textile Industry Chain Carbon Reduction Technology Development Plan" conducted by TTRI, which underscores our leadership in global sustainable developments. The projected reduction of 100,000 metric tons of carbon emissions showcases the positive impact we can achieve. The 2024 Smart City Exhibition has inspired us to continue leveraging these innovations to enhance product quality and sustainability, contributing to a healthier planet and setting new industry standards.

Sources:
1. Ministry of Economic Affairs, Taiwan. "紡織封閉循環7技術 實踐臺灣循環." Textiles Info, https://www.textilesinfo.tw/mod/news/index.php?REQUEST_ID=75d9f35204bd83598ebc3de0e835f5a5e95e817f177eb0905594822d67fb8ff1.