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Taiwan's MOEA Achieves Remarkable Excellence at R&D 100 Awards 2025

On November 21, 2025, the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) of Taiwan proudly announced that six advanced technologies, which received funding from the ministry, won a total of seven prestigious awards at the 2025 R&D 100 Awards. Entering its 18th year, the R&D 100 Awards is often referred to as the "Oscars of Innovation", highlighting groundbreaking technologies worldwide. This year, Taiwan's achievements stood tall in a competitive lineup of global innovations.

The winning technologies reflect Taiwan's robust commitment to research and development (R&D), showcasing innovations across crucial sectors such as artificial intelligence, biomedical research, healthcare, and green technologies. Among the award winners, three technologies hail from the Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI), one from the Taiwan Textile Research Institute (TTRI), another from the Metal Industries Research Development Centre (MIRDC) — which also received a Special Recognition award — and one from the Institute for Information Industry (III).

The Minister of Economic Affairs emphasized the pivotal role of innovative R&D as a driving force behind Taiwan's industrial advancements. The MOEA has continually supported various technologies over the years, focusing on the practical application of technological achievements for the commercialization and transformation of Taiwanese enterprises, thus enhancing their competitiveness on a global scale. Over the past 18 years, research initiatives backed by the MOEA have collectively garnered an impressive total of 103 awards at the R&D 100. A striking 90% of these awarded technologies have been successfully transferred to local companies or have led to the creation of new startups.

This year's laureates include two remarkable inventions in the biomedical and healthcare sector. One standout is the Bio-Inspired Ligament Scaffold (BILS) developed by ITRI, which aims to revolutionize the healing process in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction and other orthopedic surgeries. This bioengineered solution boasts a porous textile structure and biocomposite materials that significantly enhance integration with soft and hard tissues, as well as foster bone regeneration. Compared to traditional PET-based ligaments, the BILS provides three times the breaking strength, superior integration with bone, and accelerates patient recovery by 30%. This innovation has been developed in collaboration with Shinkong Synthetic Fibers, OssAware Biotech, and TTRI.

Another remarkable accolade was awarded to the AI-Guided Interactive Speech-Language Therapy System from MIRDC, utilizing generative AI methods to assist children in language expression. The system offers real-time feedback and guidance, fostering effective training sessions in a home setting and heralding a new era for AI-assisted speech-language therapy.

In the realm of artificial intelligence, ITRI's AI-WaJe™ system has pioneered a method for sustainable tire recycling. It addresses a pressing environmental challenge by employing an AI-enhanced, non-thermal water jet process that efficiently transforms waste tires into high-quality rubber powder. This innovative approach outperforms conventional methods, achieving significant reductions in processing time while producing a rubber powder with up to 79% verified relative activity. This technology promises to reintegrate recycled materials into new tire formulations and high-performance polymer products, further driving the green revolution in tire recycling with the formation of the Taiwan Polymer Material Company.

Additionally, in the green technology landscape, TTRI has unveiled the Looping Nylon Technique, a pioneering method that transforms discarded fishing nets into high-value medical materials without the use of virgin materials. This process employs patented ultrasonic cleaning technology to achieve an impressive 98% cleanliness and reduces water usage by 90%. The manufacturing process is entirely solvent-free and contributes to a carbon emission reduction of over 70%, presenting exciting opportunities for sustainability within Taiwan’s medical manufacturing sector.

Taiwan’s achievements at the 2025 R&D 100 Awards not only reflect its strength in innovation but also emphasize its collaborative spirit in research and development. The MOEA remains committed to partnering with domestic industries and international enterprises to drive validation, cross-border collaborations, and diverse applications for technologies that enhance lives and foster sustainability.