ITRI's Groundbreaking Innovations Garner Three 2025 R&D 100 Awards in Medicine and Sustainability

ITRI's Triumph in R&D 100 Awards: A Testament to Innovation

The Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) has once again proven its prowess in scientific research and development by clinching three esteemed awards at the 2025 R&D 100 ceremony. This annual event celebrates groundbreaking innovations across various fields, and this year’s accolades shine a spotlight on ITRI's achievements in regenerative medicine and sustainable technologies.

Honored Innovations

The three award-winning innovations from ITRI include the Bio-Inspired Ligament Scaffold (BILS), Circu-Texfilm, and the AI-WaJe™ system. Each of these technologies was recognized for its uniqueness, significance, and practical application in their respective categories.

1. Bio-Inspired Ligament Scaffold (BILS):
BILS offers a revolutionary advancement in the field of sports medicine and orthopedic repairs. This bioengineered ligament is specifically designed to enhance healing processes, particularly in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. The scaffold uses a porous textile structure combined with biocomposite materials to promote integration between soft and hard tissues while encouraging bone regeneration. Compared to traditional PET-based ligaments, BILS boasts threefold higher breaking strength and 30% faster functional recovery, making it a significant breakthrough for both athletes and the aging population.

2. Circu-Texfilm:
In the realm of sustainability, Circu-Texfilm sets the stage for novel recycling capabilities. This technology facilitates the chemical recycling of PET/PU and PET/OP composite textiles without the need for manual disassembly or decoupling of colors. It transforms mixed-color textile waste into polyurethane resins and waterproof-breathable films that not only exhibit a uniform appearance but also meet performance standards. Through its collaboration with SINGTEX, Circu-Texfilm represents the world’s first textile-to-textile closed-loop pathway, contributing to a circular economy by repurposing textile waste into advanced materials.

3. AI-WaJe™ System:
Addressing the urgent global issue of tire waste, the AI-WaJe™ system optimizes tire recycling processes through an innovative, AI-driven water jet technique that operates without thermal treatments. This method processes scrap tires into high-activity rubber powder, achieving remarkable efficiency—transforming a large truck tire in a mere six minutes. Unlike traditional methods that produce lower activity rubber, AI-WaJe™ restores the properties of rubber for high-performance applications, thereby facilitating the reintegration of recycled materials into new tire formulations.

A Legacy of Innovation

ITRI's commitment to innovation extends beyond the awarded technologies. The institute's focus on turning research and development outcomes into practical solutions stands as a cornerstone for Taiwan’s industries, especially as global challenges intensify. Paul Heney, Vice President and Editorial Director of R&D World, commended ITRI’s strong leadership, curiosity-driven culture, and deep domain knowledge, emphasizing these as keys to its continued success in R&D.

Additionally, ITRI's spinoff, APh ePower, also received recognition for its Elevator Regenerative Power System (ERPS), which captures and reuses energy during elevator rides, leading to substantial energy savings and a positive environmental impact. This system showcases yet another example of how innovation can lead to enhanced sustainability in everyday technology.

Impactful Future

For nearly two decades, ITRI has been a recipient of the R&D 100 Awards, accumulating a remarkable total of 69 honors over the years. The institution continues to play a pivotal role in transforming Taiwan’s economy into one driven by innovation, ensuring that local industries can thrive competitively on the international stage. As ITRI celebrates its recent achievements, it reinforces its commitment to research that not only propels technological advancement but also fosters environmental sustainability and quality of life improvements for communities worldwide.

In conclusion, ITRI's advancements in regenerative medicine and sustainable technologies through BILS, Circu-Texfilm, and AI-WaJe™ signify meaningful strides towards addressing pressing global issues, cementing its place as a leader in research and development.