 

 

 

 

 

  he U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) entered into force in T1994 to serve as the main global platform for stabilizing greenhouse gas emissions. Signatories meet annually at the Conference of the Parties (COP), with the 25th edition scheduled to take place Dec. 2-13 in Madrid, Spain. COP25 incorporates the second meeting of the parties for the Paris Agreement, adopted at COP21 in Leave No One 2015 to deal with adaptation, miti- gation and financing policies against Behind greenhouse gasses. While working to expand commitments to tackling global warming, the Madrid summit is seeking will highlight oceans-related issues, as well as adaptation, Antarctica, professional, pragmatic and biodiversity, circular economy, elec-  constructive participation tromobility, forests, renewable energy and urbanization. in the UNFCCC. Mom Loves Taiwan Association, world on environmental issues, disre- the past, we tapped expertise and Pragmatic Engagement BY PAT GAO Taiwan Carbon Capture Storage gards the Paris Agreement’s empha- skills from developed nations, and As Taiwan is not a party to the con- and Utilization Association, and sis on climate justice and violates the now it’s time for us to help the inter- PHOTOS COURTESY OF TAOYUAN vention, the country is shut out of Taiwan Institute for Sustainable principles of the U.N. Charter.” national community in return.” CITY GOVERNMENT official activities, mechanisms and Energy; New City- As the world’s 22nd largest meetings. Each year, the Cabinet- headquartered Taiwan Association of economy, Chang said, Taiwan has a Far-sighted Steps level Environmental Protection Sustainable Ecological Engineering responsibility to tackle with other Among Taiwan’s major efforts to Administration (EPA) sends a del- Development, Taiwan Research countries the urgent threat posed by combat climate change, the country egation to the summit comprising Institute, and Telecommunication climate change. “No one should be is one of the first in the world to representatives from the country’s and Transportation Foundation; left behind in this fight.” write long-term emission reduction  public and private sectors. These as well as state-backed Industrial Despite frustrations, Taiwan targets into law. The Greenhouse  include those from academic and Technology Research Institute in continues seeking participation in Gas Reduction and Management   research institutes, as well as local northern Taiwan’s County. the UNFCCC in a “professional, Act, promulgated in July 2015, speci-  enterprises. ‘e participation, mainly Taiwan’s COP presence has pragmatic and constructive man- fies the goal of lowering the nation’s  involving events on the sidelines won considerable recognition from ner,” Chang added. One of the carbon emissions to half the 2005   and at exhibition venues, is made delegates of many U.N. member major aims of the EPA is to expand levels by 2050. As a result, EPA  possible through the assistance of states and the UNFCCC’s secre - the country’s contributions to regulations stipulate decreases of 2   Taiwan nongovernmental organiza- tariat, according to EPA Minister global environmental programs in percent, 10 percent and 20 percent 張子敬 tions (NGO). Chang Tzi-chin ( ). “Global such areas as ecological manage- below 2005 levels by 2020, 2025 and  Ten homegrown NGOs hold climate change is a matter of life ment, disaster prevention and early 2030, respectively. UNFCCC observer status: Taipei and death transcending political warning systems and energy effi- These objectives are bolstered City-based Delta Electronics concerns,” he said. cient technologies. by promoting the National Climate Foundation, Environmental Quality “Exclusion from the UNFCCC is “For developing countries, Change Action Guideline as the Protection Foundation, Foundation unfair and incompatible with its call Taiwan offers support based on its blueprint of Taiwan’s adaptation and of Taiwan Industry Service, for extensive cooperation across the similar experiences,” Chang said. “In mitigation measures, as well as the

   Notably, the 2017 amendments The EPA is working to to the Electricity Act are intended strengthen the regional mercury to create a favorable environment monitoring network and arrange for green energy business develop- relevant training programs under ment. Chang sees these moves as in the International Environmental line with the Paris Agreement’s core Partnership (IEP). Launched in concern of boosting momentum for 2014 by Taiwan and the U.S., this carbon reduction in all nations. network of experts and specialists Taiwan’s commitment to stand- from around the world seeks to ing with the international com- build capacity in tackling environ- munity on climate change is further mental challenges. evidenced by its adoption of the U.N. A key component of the IEP Sustainable Development Goals initiatives involves the Global (SDG) and publication in September Environmental Education 2017 of the Voluntary National Partnership (GEEP) engaging more

 Review on their implementation. than 50 countries. At the U.S.- Around the same time, the Taiwan Environmental Education  National Council for Sustainable Taskforce meeting held in July in Development, an interministerial Taipei, the EPA proposed further organization headed by Premier Su contributing to the GEEP’s Asia- Tseng-chang (蘇貞昌) and staffed by Pacific network by teaming up with EPA employees, passed in December City Government to 2018 Taiwan’s own version of the form a regional communication and

  SDGs comprising 18 goals and 138 coordination center in the central specific targets. Taiwan metropolis. “We’ve achieved considerable  Greenhouse Gas Emission Control results across core areas,” Chang Grassroots Participation   Action Programs for the govern- said, citing care for disadvantaged Local government is a crucial force  ment’s agriculture, energy, environ- groups, clean water, energy supply, in spurring Taiwan’s global engage-  ment, manufacturing, residential- gender equality, health care, infra- ment via hosting and participat-   commercial and transportation structure, pensions, poverty allevia- ing in environmental and climate-  agencies. Over the last decade, on tion, resource recycling, sanitation related events. In June, Lu Li-teh (呂  理德  the back of joint endeavors by local facilities, universal education and ), who heads the Department  government, the increase of carbon zero hunger. of Environmental Protection at    emissions from traditional energy “Taiwan is ready, willing and Taoyuan City Government (TCG)  sources has slowed to an average able to share its knowledge and in northern Taiwan, shared the every opportunity to advance inter- In addition to expanding solar  0.1 percent rise, outperforming experience with other countries municipality’s experiences in city diplomacy as well.” and offshore wind power capacity, energy restructuring eforts.  Singapore’s 1.6 percent and South to help realize the SDGs,” Chang enhancing climate adaptability at During the conference, TCG another related measure in Taoyuan stafers carry out an ocean Korea’s 2.3 percent, according to said. A crucial way for the coun- the Resilient Cities 2019 forum in delegates updated attendees on is an under-construction waste incin- cleanup mission of the coast of  the EPA. try to make even further headway Bonn, Germany. Taoyuan’s progress in realizing the erator for electricity production at To facilitate progress toward a in this regard is to maintain an ‘e Taoyuan delegation was also SDGs. This undertaking goes far the Taoyuan Environmental Science  low-carbon society, the government active, dynamic partnership in invited by forum organizer Local beyond the work of an environ- and Technology Park in Guanyin   aims to achieve energy restructur- international organizations like the Governments for Sustainability, mental affairs authority, Lu said. . Expected to go on line in  ing by 2025 to generate 50 percent UNFCCC, he added. a UNFCCC-accredited group “It requires an all hands on deck 2021, the biomass energy center will of electricity from natural gas, 27 As part of ongoing government comprising over 1,750 local and approach from the main actors in generate 200 million kilowatt-hours percent from coal, 20 percent from efforts to foster global partner- regional governments in 100- the local government.” per year. renewable resources and 1 percent ships, the EPA organized the eighth plus countries, to attend the Bonn A high-profile example is the “The facility is further evi- from nuclear, with the remain- annual conference of the Asia-Pacific Climate Change Conference. In 2017-established interagency task dence of the success of efforts by ing from oil and pumped storage Mercury Monitoring Network in the face of growing climate change force for developing a low-carbon government, private firms and hydropower. Statistics by the Bureau August in Jakarta, Indonesia. More impacts, Lu said, it is vital to foster green city and a self-governance NGOs in achieving the shared of Energy under the Ministry of than 60 experts and officials from international connections at such ordinance taking effect in the goal of sustainable development,” Economic Affairs confirm existing 18 countries such as Japan, the events so as to keep abreast of the same year. ‘e former is headed by Lu said. “Leave no one behind is numbers at around 33 percent, 46 Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam latest developments and respond Taoyuan Mayor Cheng Wen-tsan not just a U.N. slogan, it’s our bat- percent, 7 percent and 11 percent, in exchanged best practices and cut- appropriately. “We can’t afford any (鄭文燦), with Lu acting as execu- tle cry in the struggle to mitigate addition to other sources. ting-edge ideas. form of isolation, and must seize tive secretary. climate change.”

          research stations around the country.   The institute’s measures to advance  the reuse of “leftover materials”—an  emerging industry term for waste in   Taiwan—target the agriculture, aqua- culture, forestry and livestock sectors.  “‘e terminology change reflects our new mindset,” TLRI Director- General Huang Jeng-fang (黃振芳) said. “In the past, waste treatment Taking Root was largely aimed at meeting the environmental standards for dis- Government efforts to posal. Today, it’s increasingly about facilitating the more complete use of promote the adoption of circular agriculture solutions  are gaining traction hih An Farm in southern in Taiwan. Taiwan’s City is a national leader in circu- BY PAT GAO lar agriculture. One of the Scountry’s largest chicken egg pro- PHOTOS BY CHIN HUNG-HAO ducers, the company has developed a system that collects excretion from its more than 700,000 laying hens for use in making biogas for electric- ity generation and organic fertilizers  for nearby farmland. In April 2018, President Tsai program. This comprehensive eco- Ing-wen (蔡英文) visited the facil- nomic revitalization initiative is ity to inspect this successful model promoting the high-growth sectors for creating value from waste. Tsai of biotech, green energy, national   described Shih An’s approach as a defense, smart machinery and synergy of agriculture, the circular Internet of ‘ings, as well as the cir- economy and renewable energy. cular economy and a new paradigm Encouraging the adoption of similar for agricultural development. solutions at other farms can help Spearheading the country’s propel Taiwan’s animal husbandry efforts to devise and integrate circular sector toward a sustainable future, agriculture solutions is the Taiwan she said. Livestock Research Institute (TLRI) under the Cabinet-level Council of Policy Priority Agriculture (COA). Headquartered Circular agriculture intersects several at a former horse-breeding facil- components of the government’s ity in the southern city of ,

five-plus-two industrial innovation it operates eight branch offices and 

   available resources through the appli- the nation’s foremost research insti- estimated 13,000 kilowatt-hours per cation of cutting-edge technologies.” tution. Also participating in these day, Donghaifong is now powered Circular agriculture projects typi- efforts are major industry think completely by renewable energy. cally convert leftover materials into tanks including Taiwan Institute The capture system was devel- either biogas or inputs for the pro- of Economic Research and Taiwan oped at TLRI’s cattle farm in Tainan. duction of feed, fertilizers, biomedi- Agricultural Science and Technology ‘e site has served as a test bed for cines and cosmetics. “‘anks to new Resources Logistics Management a host of other circular agriculture upcycling processes, companies in Association (TARM), both based in initiatives, including the first COA- Taiwan and elsewhere are generating Taipei City. supported project to develop a liquid significant value from byproducts TARM Chief Executive Officer organic fertilizer from processed and waste,” Huang said. Lee Yi-ying (李宜映) said that the cattle manure. To bolster the development of organization takes a top-down Between 2013 and 2018, TLRI related procedures and technolo- approach to advancing circular agri- conducted a trial of this compost, gies, TLRI coordinates integrated culture. “We advise on government using about 6,800 metric tons of it R&D involving such agencies as policymaking and help conduct each year on a 35-hectare pangola the COA, Ministry of Science and ensuing projects,” she said. “Together grass field at the facility. ‘e institute Technology, and Academia Sinica, with other like-minded bodies, we’re is now utilizing three on-site napier committed to furthering the coun- grass plots to stage a comparative  try’s goal of putting materials once study of its effectiveness versus com- considered worthless back into the mon chemical fertilizers and fal- value chain.” lowing. Initial results indicate that According to TARM statistics, it outperforms in promoting crop animal manure and rice straw and growth and maintaining soil quality. husks are the two largest sources “If we don’t reuse this waste from of agricultural waste in Taiwan at the cattle farm, it’s like we’re throw- a combined total of roughly 5 mil- ing away piles of efficient fertilizer,” lion metric tons per year. Much of Huang said, adding that TLRI is   the former comes from the 5.45 organizing forums, meetings and million hogs at the 7,048 pig farms training courses for agricultural nationwide. enterprises to accelerate the shift   TARM has supported several toward nonchemical products.   projects to tackle the manure gener-  Gold Rush  ated at these sites. Among the most  successful is at Donghaifong pig In Tainan’s Guantian District, not  farm in southern Taiwan’s Pingtung far from the TLRI cattle farm,   County. The facility is operated by the power of circular solutions to   state-owned Taiwan Sugar Corp., boost revenues, eliminate waste   the nation’s largest hog farming and transform industries is on full  enterprise with 18 locations produc- display. Guantian is the primary   ing about 380,000 animals annually. water caltrop-growing region in Under a COA-led integrated R&D Taiwan, accounting for about 70  initiative, technologies were installed percent of the nation’s annual out-  at the farm to capture excretion and put of the black hard-shelled fruit. methane and convert them into Previously, thousands of metric tons biogas. This process serves a dual of water caltrop shells were burned purpose by utilizing the waste and or discarded in the area each year, preventing emissions of the harm- causing significant environmental ful greenhouse gas. With its biogas concerns. “Now virtually all of them

  and solar facilities outputting an are collected and reused,” said Yen

   Neng-tung (顏能通), who heads Yen said. With an impressive sur- Guantian District Office. face area of 250 square meters per With assistance from the aca- gram, the water caltrop-derived demic and business sectors, the product is also effective at absorbing office developed a way to transform moisture, odors and volatile chemi-  this waste into what locals call “black cals, he added. gold.” Supported by Lin Hong-ping Touting these attributes, social (林弘萍), a chemistry professor at enterprise Guantian Black Gold Tainan-based National Cheng Kung Community Cooperative markets University, Yen’s team developed the biochar to the public, selling it in an incineration system capable of variously sized cloth pouches for use exceeding 1,000 C to turn the shells in spaces like cars, closets, drawers, into biochar, a form of charcoal refrigerators and toilets. “Our project  used to enrich soil. ‘e system is set addressed a community environmen- to be further upgraded with help tal issue and tapped a commercial  from local enterprises including opportunity,” Yen said. “By seeking a   sheet metal fabricator Chih Kang scientific answer to our waste prob-

Material Co. lem, we’ve fashioned a long-term  In addition to boosting nutrient economic benefit.”  content, biochar can limit acidifica- According to the district   tion, making it a popular soil addi- office head, the black gold rush in  tive among agricultural enterprises, Guantian is also helping draw young       07 & 08. Guantian District Oice head Yen  Lin Hong-ping show of the biochar as 



people back to the rural area. Next the exception rather than the norm. One method of addressing this on the agenda for the coopera- Many agricultural sectors in Taiwan is through the establishment of tive is competing directly against are characterized by the widespread organic circular parks. The COA more established products, such as dispersion of smallholder farmers, has launched 12 such sites this year, Japanese bamboo-based biochar. making it difficult to achieve econo- with TARM providing technical “With further equipment upgrades mies of scale in implementing circu- services to resident farm operators. and investment in R&D, we’ll be lar solutions. While acknowledging the chal- able to challenge international mar- The pork production industry lenges, Huang expressed confidence ket leaders in this industry,” Lin said. is a case in point. Of the nation’s that circular innovations will take 7,048 pig farms, those raising 1,000 hold across Taiwan’s agricultural Distribution Dilemma or more hogs made up only 22.2 industry and help propel it to new Guantian’s biochar venture was percent, while those with less than heights. “‘e academic, public and enabled by the centralization of 200 animals accounted for 42.1 per- private sectors are fully behind the water caltrop-growing industry. cent, the most recent COA statistics this mission,” he said. “Through The issue for groups such as TLRI showed. ‘e other primary source of embracing these concepts, we can and TARM working to promote agricultural waste, the rice-growing give rise to a new age of climate-

 circular agriculture is that this is sector, is similarly spread out. smart agriculture.”

   New   Industrial Revolution  Taiwan companies are developing technologies uper Dragon Technology is producing vast quantities of and materials to help Co. based in northern electronic waste. This is now the Taiwan’s Taoyuan City has fastest growing type of garbage realize cradle-to-cradle a time-honored business in the world. Such items are con- model:S mine and sell precious metals ventionally either incinerated or manufacturing. like gold, silver and platinum. What placed in landfills. Both methods BY KELLY HER makes it stand out is that these valu- are hazardous to the environment able commodities are extracted from as they emit harmful gases and PHOTOS BY CHEN MEI-LING objects that other enterprises and release toxic substances into soil consumers throw away. and groundwater. The company is an expert in Founded to maximize efficient turning electronic waste into rev- use of resources, Super Dragon is enue. “After years of R&D on metal dedicated to reclaiming materials extraction and recovery processes, from electronic waste by apply - we came upon a workable circular ing chemical and physical recycling business model based on three para- processes. Recovered metals can digms: reduce, reuse and recycle,” be made into sand or refined and said Cosmas Lu (陸怡豪), a strategy adviser with Super Dragon. “This approach not only opens up new commercial opportunities but also  protects against resource shortages  and environmental degradation.”    Regular upgrading of electrical  appliances and goods such as com- puters, printers and smartphones 

   In this way, the firm serves as a crucial step in the cradle-to-cradle (C2C) design process. Rapidly gaining prominence over the past few decades, C2C refers to systems and production methods in which resources circulate in a sustainable manner. This includes the use of renewable energy and recycling of waste materials, standing in con-  trast to the conventional cradle-to-  grave (C2G) model. “We’ve invested heavily in improving our facilities and techni- Metal Industries Research and cal know-how to facilitate a C2C Development Center (MIRDC) approach,” Lu said. “We hope to in the southern metropolis of inspire other companies to adopt Kaohsiung and Plastics Industry eco-friendly industrial systems.” Development Center in the central city of Taichung. Public-Private Partnerships One of the businesses that has Taiwan has made remarkable prog- benefitted from collaborating with ress over the past few decades in these organizations is New Taipei waste recycling and treatment, said City-based Oriental Resources  Lo Ta-sheng (羅達生), director gen- Development. Founded in 1998 eral of the Department of Industrial under the Far Eastern Group, it was 

 Technology (DOIT) under the the first company in Taiwan engaged  Ministry of Economic Affairs, with in recycling discarded polyethylene  iberglass and epoxy resin many companies now looking to terephthalate (PET) bottles.     reuse materials leftover at the end of Each year, about 5.2 billion used   the production process. PET bottles are collected around the   According to Lo, the govern- country. Piled vertically, they would   ment is striving to transform be three times the height of Taipei   domestic industries from C2G to 101, the capital’s iconic 509.2-  C2C models to ensure that products meter skyscraper. Despite the large  and materials are kept in use for as numbers, Taiwan boasts one of the    long as possible. “Taiwan is highly world’s highest PET bottle recycling  dependent on imports due to the rates at about 95 percent, according    formed into bars, and nonmetals nation’s limited natural resources,” to the Environmental Protection  like fiberglass and epoxy resin can be he said. “Making such changes can Administration.  used for bricks or wall tiles. deliver long-term economic, social Fanny Liao (廖瑞芬), president developed by the irm

In 2008, the company became and environmental benefits.” of Oriental Resources, said the high  the first environmental technology ‘e DOIT has tasked a number proportion can be attributed to the  business listed on the Taiwan Stock of research institutions with devel- government’s implementation of a Exchange. It currently offers indus- oping new materials and technolo- four-in-one program introduced in trial waste disposal services to many gies that can serve as the basis of 1997 fostering cooperation between manufacturers in the electronics sup- the circular economy. These include a centrally controlled recycling fund, ply chain. Any valuable substances state-backed Industrial Technology community residents, local govern- extracted are then offered back to Research Institute (ITRI) in the ments and relevant industries. She

customers as raw materials. northern county of Hsinchu, also highlighted the nation’s adoption 

    conventional counterparts, thermo- 02. The long carbon iber reinforced thermoplastic composite developed by Hsin Yung Chien Co. in central Taiwan’s Nantou County in collaboration with Industrial set composites, require more energy  to produce and are difficult to recy- 03 & 04. HYC and its Japanese partner ACE Co. use LFT to produce the world’s lightest cle, usually being sent to incinerators  05. Products are displayed in HYC’s booth during the Taipei Cycle Show at Taipei or landfills.  According to Lin, the excel- 06. Lin Chi-chin, president of HYC, showcases his company’s prototype LFT bike frame. lent properties of HYC’s LFT

 mean that it can be used in a wide  variety of industries ranging from information technology and sports to transportation and wind energy infrastructure.

  HYC first launched the mate- of a producer responsibility strategy furanoate—that is 100 percent recy- rial commercially as part of a ven- that requires importers and manu- clable and can produce lighter, thin- ture with ACE Co., Japan’s leading facturers of new products to finance ner and more durable bottles. materials in cooperation with ITRI producer of high-quality briefcases collection and recycling enterprises. “There is growing demand for and MIRDC. and luggage. The collaboration led Oriental Resources currently [food-grade] resins as top corpora- Working with ITRI’s Material to the release of the world’s lightest handles nearly half of the used PET tions are seeking to transfer to biode- and Chemical Research Laboratories 20-inch suitcase at 1.7 kilograms, bottles recovered nationwide and gradable, compostable or recyclable in 2017, HYC developed a new priced at 59,000 yen (US$543). transforms them into high-quality packaging,” Liao said. “‘e fact they form of long carbon fiber reinforced Having tested the market readi- resins that can be made into fabrics, chose to work with us is proof of our thermoplastic composite (LFT). Its ness of its creation, HYC is rolling fibers or food-grade containers. Its standing within the industry.” properties are ideally suited for the out LFT bike frames. ‘e company main clients include the U.S.-based circular economy, Lin said. unveiled a prototype at the Taipei Coca-Cola Company and PepsiCo, Material Changes LFTs are durable, lightweight, Cycle Show held at Taipei Nangang as well as France-headquartered While Super Dragon and Oriental recyclable and reusable with high Exhibition Center March 27-30 Danone SA. Resources are focused on collecting impact tolerance and strength, that has attracted interest from top Together with these multination- and recycling end-of-life products, meaning they can be used as metal cycling brands such as Accell Group als and ITRI, the Taiwan company other companies like Hsin Yung substitutes. Comparatively, their and Giant Manufacturing Co., head- has been working to develop a new Chien (HYC) Co. in central Taiwan’s quartered in the Netherlands and bio-based polyester—polyethylene Nantou County are committed to  Taichung, respectively. “Shifting our R&D efforts to the development of recyclable and renewable materials was the right

 decision, especially considering the global environmental situation,” developing innovative recyclable and Lin said. “‘anks to ITRI’s techni- renewable materials. Established in cal assistance, we’re confident we 1964, HYC is Taiwan’s largest pro- can capture the growth opportuni- ducer of rubber conveyor belts. ties ahead.” “For a traditional manufacturer These sentiments are shared by like us to survive and thrive, we the DOIT’s Lo, who reiterated the need to transform and upgrade,” importance of using sustainable HYC President Lin Chi-chin (林季 materials. “Enacting circular solu- 進) said. “So we decided to imple- tions is a crucial element of corpo- ment circular business strategies and rate social responsibility,” he said. explore different opportunities.” As “Helping protect the planet while part of this process, the company has fostering industrial symbiosis is a engaged in R&D of new composite win-win for all stakeholders.”  

   n June, Ardex Huang ( 黃南 翔), vice general manager of Sunmade Inc. based in central Taiwan’s Taichung City, trav- Ieled to Qatar for a pilot trial of his company’s eco-friendly road signs on the newly opened Al Khor Highway. Incorporating the firm’s latest inven- tion, round pieces of plastic that refract light known as DOTs, the products remove the need for electric- ity to illuminate signage, providing a  maintenance-free solution to glare. Visible from up to 200 meters, DOTs work even under harsh des-   ert sunlight. The technology caught  the eye of many visitors to Project   Qatar 2019, a business exhibition for  construction and related industries   held at the Doha Exhibition and  Going Green Convention Center April 29 to May  1. Among them were local officials Taiwan’s public and private responsible for infrastructure in the  Middle Eastern country.  sectors are working together “When they saw what our DOT to capitalize on growth signs could do without employing light-emitting diodes [LED], the opportunities provided by government representatives were green technology. impressed,” Huang said. “So they invited us to trial the product before BY KELLY HER committing to large-scale installation.” Established in 2014, Sunmade PHOTOS BY CHEN MEI-LING also produces solar-powered LED signs. The company developed the  DOT alternatives after four years of intensive R&D in collaboration with the Department of Photonics at Taichung-based Feng Chia University. “Our mission is to develop green, durable and practical products,” Huang said. “There is enormous market potential for environmen-

tally friendly goods thanks to gov-  ernment policy priorities at home and abroad and the growing eco- awareness of consumers.” central counties of Changhua and Sunmade has obtained patents Nantou, the product has also been for DOT signs in 12 countries installed on several highways in and territories, with the items cur- Taiwan for pilot testing. rently sold in Japan, Malaysia and Singapore. With the support of Global Trends the Freeway Bureau under the As the negative impact of climate Ministry of Transportation and change becomes ever more appar- Communications as well as local ent, many industrialized nations

governments in Taichung and the are imposing stricter environmental 

   01. Walter Yeh, president and CEO of regulations on products. Likewise, must quickly introduce green  multinational companies are imple- concepts into their product devel-   menting green procurement programs opment and production processes,  to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. he added.   “Adoption of eco-friendly With the goal of helping Taiwan  practices by governments and busi- firms identify market opportuni- Green Trade Project Oice at Taiwan  nesses around the world is having ties and comply with overseas a significant effect on international environmental policies, the Bureau 01 – 03. Courtesy of Green Trade Project Oice trade activities,” said Walter Yeh (葉 of Foreign Trade (BOFT) under 明水), president and CEO of Taipei the Ministry of Economic Affairs City-based Taiwan External Trade established the Green Trade Project Development Council (TAITRA). Office (GTPO) in 2011. TAITRA “This presents an opportunity, but has been tasked by the BOFT since it’s also a massive challenge for the 2017 with operating the office.  country’s export-oriented economy.” The GTPO organizes confer- To continue attracting customers ences in Taiwan and sends delega- and ensure they are keeping up with tions to attend foreign trade shows. positioned to capture market oppor-  global trends, local manufacturers To help local firms go green, it also tunities,” he said.  ire resistant. conducts research on international Effective marketing is critical  environmental sustainability stan- to developing overseas interest, Yeh  dards and renders technical assis- added, with participation in trade 

tance alongside the government- fairs being a particularly useful  supported Industrial Technology way of boosting product visibility Research Institute (ITRI) and and reaching potential customers. Taipei-based think tank Chung-Hua For instance, this year the GTPO Institution for Economic Research. As part of its work, the project office has created the Taiwan Eco- Products Directory, published in both English and Mandarin on its website, to provide interested buy- ers with a list of merchandise that is energy efficient, nontoxic or made of recyclable materials. Companies can also seek guidance from the GTPO about applying for common green certifications issued by governments and nonprofit organizations around  the world.  According to Yeh, local firms have the equipment and expertise to produce a wide range of green prod- ucts to top international standards, ranging from building materials and LEDs to pollution preven- tion devices and solar photovoltaic systems. “Eco-friendly items are becoming more and more popu-

  lar, and Taiwan companies are well  

   for helping spotlight our products internationally.” Industrial Innovation High-tech companies are not the only firms capitalizing on the oppor- tunities provided by green technol- ogy. Sheng Chang Inc., which runs a 40-year-old brick factory in northern Taiwan’s Taoyuan City, is endeavor- ing to maximize revenues by produc- ing sustainable goods. According to Iris Hung ( 洪瑋 伶), a product manager at Sheng

Chang, Taiwan was home to more  than 300 brickworks in the 1970s and 1980s. ‘e introduction of new  building materials over the years led According to Ho, imSTONE to a drastic decline in demand, and saves 20 trees and 7,480 gallons of now only about 30 brick factories water per metric ton and reduces remain. “As a traditional manufac- carbon emissions by 900 kilograms turer, we’re at a crossroads. Either compared with pulp-based prod- we transform or perish,” she said.  ucts. It is cheaper to produce too at “We’ve decided to embrace the US$363 versus around US$750 per opportunities presented by the shift metric ton. to green technology.”  business and instilled us with a new This innovation possesses    Sheng Chang began cooper-  sense of purpose.” numerous properties not found in ating with ITRI’s Material and  regular paper. It is durable, water- Chemical Research Laboratories  Rock Paper proof and bug- and flame-resistant,  in 2013 to imbue its products with  Another manufacturer that has com- making it ideal for items like books, environmentally friendly properties. waste marble into a ine powder, mitted to investing in green goods food packaging and shopping  Working over a three-year period,  is Taiwan Lung Meng Advanced bags. Moreover, it is recyclable and they developed lightweight hollow  Composite Materials Co., based in decomposes under direct sunlight bricks designed for compartment-   the southern city of Tainan. After 17 after six months. ing indoor areas of buildings such  years of R&D at a cost of NT$1.5 bil- Winner of a prestigious Red as apartment blocks. Constructed  lion (US$48.4 million), the company Dot Design Award and holder of  with recycled clay, the new design is lame-resistant properties make it commercialized its innovative stone the globally recognized Cradle to earthquake and fire resistant while  paper product, imSTONE, in 2009. Cradle sustainable product certifica- providing humidity control and ther-  “Despite some problems along tion, imSTONE is sold in more than

mal insulation.  the way, we’ve remained adamant 20 countries and territories. “Paper These properties slash electric-  in our pursuit of high-performance remains a key part of our daily lives ity costs from air conditioning, eco-products,” said Danison Ho (何 and demand is always there,” Ho said.  Hung said, helping reduce energy 鼎賢), the company’s general man- “We’re proud to have created a green consumption and combat global ager. “‘e launch of imSTONE is a alternative to pulp-based items.” organized delegations to attend warming. As a result, the bricks testament to our commitment.” As environmentally conscious Project Qatar and established pavil- have gained green building material Stone paper is made by grinding consumerism continues to rise, local ions to exhibit green goods at trade certification from the Ministry of waste marble into a fine powder that companies have realized the impor- shows in India and Malaysia. the Interior. is then shaped into pellets before tance of implementing sustainable Sunmade’s Huang is equally bull- Sheng Chang’s blocks have been being stretched and cut repeat - practices. “‘e international consensus ish on the importance of marketing. used in numerous hotel and residen- edly. This process uses only a small on the route forward is for businesses “Like many other small and medium tial construction projects in Taiwan. amount of water. By contrast, in to embrace eco-friendly approaches,” enterprises, our weakness is branding “People are increasingly concerned addition to wood, conventional paper TAITRA’s Yeh said. “With a network and global promotion, as we spend about the consequences of environ- manufacturing requires large vol- of 63 offices around the globe, we’ll most of our resources on R&D,” he mental deterioration,” Hung said. umes of water and various chemicals lead the way in promoting Taiwan’s said. “We’re grateful to the GTPO “Green products have revitalized our including acids and bleaching agents. green credentials.”

   COVER ILLUSTRATION BY LIN HSIN-CHIEH  REPRINTED FROM SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER  AND NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2019 ISSUES OF  TAIWAN REVIEW   