#Taiwan #Taipei #circular economy #Patagonia #Xpore

Transforming Material Science into Sustainable Action

In a groundbreaking event, BenQ Materials held the "From Material Science to Mission 2025 Circular Economy Forum" on September 16, 2025, at the Taiwan Textile Research Institute. This forum was a historic gathering of global leaders including the renowned outdoor brand Patagonia, the Taiwan Technical Textiles Association, Chung Hwa Pulp Corporation, and the Circular Taiwan Network. Together, they aimed to address the pressing need for sustainability in material innovation, responsible supply chains, and cross-industry collaboration.

The Vision for Sustainable Manufacturing in Taiwan

Dr. ZC Chen, President of BenQ Materials, emphasized the need for companies to evolve from mere suppliers of goods to co-creators of sustainable value. The company has successfully expanded its initiatives from electronics into textiles with its performance textile brand, Xpore.

The highlight of the event was the introduction of the innovative Xpore e2cycle. Notably, this is the first and only recycled PET fabric made from LCD waste, showcasing how electronic waste can be repurposed into high-quality textiles. This new direction embodies a vision of 'supra-cycling' that extends the lifecycle of materials while simultaneously enhancing their value.

Patagonia's Leadership in Sustainability

Matt Dwyer, Patagonia’s Vice President of Global Product Footprint, delivered a compelling keynote titled "Product Footprint: A Balancing Act," wherein he reflected on a decade of challenges and advancements in using preferred fibers and raw materials that foster better environmental and social outcomes. Dwyer mentioned that over 95% of Patagonia’s products now incorporate such materials, underlining the company’s clear commitment to sustainability.

A significant pledge made by Patagonia is the elimination of PFAS by 2025. They are also addressing waste through initiatives like converting discarded fishing nets into NetPlus® nylon, which has prevented over 2.7 million kilograms of fishing nets from entering the ocean since 2018. Moreover, Patagonia’s Fair Trade practices not only enhance employee satisfaction but also serve to improve product responsibility and foster consumer trust, all while pursuing goals such as fair wages.

Collaborative Success Between Xpore and Patagonia

The partnership between Xpore and Patagonia serves as a model of how collaboration can drive sustainability. Dwyer highlighted rigorous audits and ongoing collaborations as key to unlocking the potential of Taiwanese suppliers in the global supply chain. Xpore's introduction of their PFAS-free and solvent-free material back in 2020 quickly caught Patagonia's attention, initiating discussions towards creating high-performance and eco-friendly solutions.

The true test of their collaboration occurred with Patagonia's comprehensive audits in 2023, which scrutinized aspects like wages, safety, and worker well-being. Xpore's transparent payroll practices, exceptional benefits, and commitment to honesty allowed them to pass the audit on the first attempt—an impressive achievement in the textile industry.

This level of transparency and commitment has been crucial in deepening mutual trust and streamlining collaboration. Today, Xpore and Patagonia have advanced beyond a standard client-supplier relationship to become genuine partners focused on joint problem-solving. For instance, Xpore’s ultra-nanoporous film is now integral to Patagonia’s Alpine Waterproof Anorak M10®, engineered for extreme conditions, demonstrating exceptional performance and comfort through a PFAS-free process.

Raising the Bar for Taiwanese Textile Industry

The Xpore case illustrates that Taiwan's textile sector can not only meet global technical standards but also lead in areas such as ESG, supply chain responsibility, and transparency. This sets a precedent for how material science can be directed toward meaningful objectives and establish a transformative standard in sustainability.

Pioneering Design Innovations

Dr. Cam Huang, Secretary-General of the Taiwan Technical Textiles Association, also brought insights to the table, sharing stories of the industry's achievements akin to the 'Oscars of the textile world'. He urged more companies to embed sustainability at the core of their brand value.

Chung Hwa Pulp Corporation's President, Kirk Hwang, discussed their journey "From Forest to Future Materials" showcasing their dedication to responsible forestry and circular manufacturing processes. By diversifying from pulp to biofibers and low-carbon packaging, they aspire to achieve 50% green energy self-sufficiency by 2030, thus instilling sustainable practices into raw materials production.

Building a Sustainable Ecosystem

Charles Huang, President of the Circular Taiwan Network, emphasized the importance of abandoning linear thinking and advocated for Circular Collaboration for Climate Crisis (CC4CC). He argued that only through international and inter-industry cooperation can a sustainable ecosystem be established, noting the limited success of carbon reduction efforts over the last 30 years.

The Call for Global Partnership

With a purpose-driven approach and emphasis on material innovation, BenQ Materials aims to position Taiwan as a leader in sustainable manufacturing. The call for the partnership "Taiwan Can Lead" resonated throughout the forum, as global stakeholders, including Patagonia and Taiwanese leaders in the material science and textile industries, aligned on integrating ESG criteria, circular economies, and responsible supply chains into a unified global standard.

Through these collaborative efforts, participants aspire to evolve Taiwanese sustainable manufacturing into a worldwide benchmark, steering cross-sector transformations towards a greener, more responsible future.