Driving Circular Innovation: Xpore Collaborates with Patagonia for Sustainable Textiles

BenQ Materials and Patagonia: Leading Sustainable Textile Innovation

On September 16, 2025, BenQ Materials hosted a transformative event titled "From Material Science to Mission: 2025 Cross-Industry Circular Economy Forum" at the Taiwan Textile Research Institute. This groundbreaking initiative featured industry giants like Patagonia, the Taiwan Technical Textile Association, Chung Hwa Pulp Corporation, and the Circular Taiwan Network, all uniting to explore how innovative materials, product footprints, responsible supply chains, and cross-industry collaboration can drive sustainable change.

Shaping Sustainable Manufacturing in Taiwan

Dr. ZC Chen, Chairman of BenQ Materials, opened the forum highlighting the role of enterprises as co-creators of sustainable values rather than mere suppliers. BenQ Materials, renowned for its advancements in electronics, is now making strides in the textile sector through its Xpore brand. Leading this transition is the Xpore e2cycle—a revolutionary fabric made from recycled PET sourced from LCD waste. This innovation exemplifies how electronic waste can be repurposed into durable, high-performance textiles, bridging the electronics and textile industries and embodying the principles of material upcycling and value enhancement.

Patagonia's Commitment to Sustainability

Matt Dwyer, Vice President of Global Product Footprint at Patagonia, delivered a keynote titled "Product Footprint: A Balancing Act," reflecting on a decade’s worth of progress and challenges in integrating preferred materials—fibers and resources that enhance environmental or social sustainability—into their products. Dwyer emphasized Patagonia's initiative to eliminate PFAS by 2025 and to advance waste management practices, such as transforming retired fishing nets into NetPlus® nylon. Since 2018, Patagonia has successfully diverted more than 6.2 million pounds of these nets from oceans. He also showcased Patagonia's Fair Trade initiatives, which not only improve worker satisfaction and product accountability but also enhance consumer trust while progressing towards sustainable living wages.

The Marriage of Xpore and Patagonia

Dwyer examined the evolving partnership with Xpore, from rigorous audits to enduring collaborations. Patagonia recognized the potential of Taiwanese suppliers in the global supply chain when Xpore launched its PFAS-free, solvent-free material in 2020. The real test arose during Patagonia's stringent audits in 2023, focusing on wages, safety, and employee well-being, including direct interviews with frontline workers. Thanks to Xpore's transparent wage practices, competitive social benefits, and an equitable corporate culture, the company passed the audit effortlessly—a notable achievement among textile factories. This openness fostered trust and expedited the partnership.

Today, Xpore and Patagonia have moved beyond the traditional client-supplier relationship to become true problem-solving partners. The high-quality nano-porous Ultra-Folie from Xpore is now featured in Patagonia's M10® Waterproof Alpine Anorak, designed to withstand extreme conditions with exceptional performance and comfort, all achieved through a PFAS-free process that showcases both technological and sustainable innovation.

The Textile Industry's Potential and Innovation

Dr. Cam Huang, Secretary-General of the Taiwan Technical Textile Association, spoke about the “Oscars of the Textile World,” emphasizing the dual strengths of the industry in high-performance and sustainable design. He urged more companies to embed sustainability at the core of their brand values.

Kirk Hwang, Chairman of Chung Hwa Pulp Corporation, added to the discourse with his insights on "From Forest to Purpose," demonstrating his commitment to responsible forestry and circular production practices. By expanding pulp production into biofibers and low-carbon packaging, Chung Hwa Pulp aims for 50% self-sufficiency with renewable energy by 2030, showcasing sustainable innovations in raw materials.

Charles Huang, Chairman of the Circular Taiwan Network, called for a break from linear thinking and emphasized the importance of "Circular Collaboration for Climate Crisis (CC4CC)." He pointed out that only through cross-industry and international collaboration can a sustainable ecosystem be achieved, noting the limited impact of global emissions reductions over the past 30 years.

Towards a Global Standard in Sustainable Production

By concentrating on material innovations, BenQ Materials envisions leading Taiwan into a new era of sustainable production. A collective call from international brands such as Patagonia and prominent Taiwanese firms in material science, textiles, and circular economy seeks to establish the alliance "Taiwan Can Lead." By integrating ESG principles, circular economies, and responsible supply chains, they aim to set "Sustainable Manufacturing in Taiwan" as a global benchmark, propelling the industry-wide transition to a sustainable future.