In response to the global call for sustainable development and net-zero emissions, Far Eastern New Century Corporation (FENC) once again demonstrates its commitment to environmental responsibility through concrete action. Far Eastern Group R&D Center has been awarded in the group category of the 4th Green Chemistry Application and Innovation Award, hosted by the Ministry of Environment. The award ceremony was held on May 9 at the Chang Yung-Fa Foundation in Taipei. This prestigious recognition not only affirms the R&D team’s long-standing dedication to green chemistry innovation but also highlights FENC’s pivotal role in advancing the transition to sustainability.
FENC R&D Center receives the Group Award at the 4th Green Chemistry Application and Innovation Award (Credit: FENC)
This year’s competition attracted nearly 80 teams, and 13 companies ultimately were selected as award winners after three rounds of rigorous reviews and on-site evaluations. The judges especially recognized FENC’s innovative contributions in process detoxification, environmental friendliness, and circular utilization. They also emphasized that FENC’s implementation and promotion of green chemistry principles serve as an exemplary model for the industry.
The award-winning green innovations developed by the R&D Center include:
FENC has pioneered a chemical recycling solution for post-consumer textiles, particularly those previously deemed unrecyclable. By depolymerizing PCR(post-consumer recycling) PET/polyester wastes and synthesizing them into new polyester products, FENC achieves both virgin-like quality and recyclability within existing systems—realizing true material circularity.
Innovative and low-carbon green products created by FENC R&D Center (Credit: FENC)
In collaboration with global partner LanzaTech—who has developed a process that biologically converts industrial waste gases into ethanol, which is further transformed into monoethylene glycol (MEG). MEG is the key monomer for FENC to manufacture PET products. This technology not only enables carbon capture and utilization but has also earned multiple international innovation awards from ITMF and ISPO, reinforcing FENC’s leadership in the global green supply chain.
In the production of polyurethane (PU), traditional methods require highly toxic chemicals such as phosgene and isocyanates, which pose significant risks to both human health and the environment. To overcome this challenge, the R&D Center broke conventional boundaries and developed a non-isocyanate polyurethane (NIPU) technology using carbon dioxide as a raw material. This innovation successfully eliminates the use of hazardous substances while retaining the elasticity and performance of conventional PU and lowering 58% carbon emission reduction.
Non-toxic, carbon-reducing, green NIPU innovation created by FENC R&D Center (Credit: FENC)
Addressing challenges in material purification, process integration, and commercialization, the team successfully scaled this innovation to mass production—making FENC the first company in the world to industrialize NIPU. This breakthrough earned the Best Products of ISPO and the second place in the Innovation Award “Best CO₂ Utilisation 2025” from Germany, demonstrating FENC’s unwavering commitment to sustainability and safety.
The R&D Center not only focuses on technological innovation, but also actively collaborates with international brand partners to promote low-carbon products made with recycled materials, meeting the growing global demand for high ESG standards. In addition, the R&D Center proactively participates in international platforms such as ITMF Awards, ISPO Textrends, and the R&D 100 Awards to boost the global visibility of its green products and accelerate market recognition and adoption of sustainable materials.
Looking ahead, the R&D Center will continue to drive innovation with a focus on recycling, carbon reduction, and safety. Through raw material transformation, process innovation, and resource integration, FENC is committed to building a comprehensive green materials ecosystem, addressing the textile industry’s environmental challenges from the material sources.
At the R&D Center, we firmly believe that true sustainability begins with scientific solutions backed by real-world action. Green chemistry is not just a concept confined to the lab; it is a transformative force that can be implemented across production lines and integrated into daily life, creating a win-win future for both humanity and the planet.
This honor belongs not only to the R&D Center but to all the dedicated and innovative members of Far Eastern Group. Together, let us keep driving changes through innovation, turning sustainability into a shared reality for the world.
