TRANSFORMING COMPLEXITY INTO SIMPLICITY - RECONNECTING PEOPLE WITH OCEAN
2024/08/05
Marine Nylon Fishing Gear Recycling Program
Taking into account the continuously rising market demand for recycled materials, the Taiwan Chemical Fiber Co., Ltd. Fiber Division has implemented the "All Nylon Recycling Plan" to serve as a model for producers to simultaneously take on the role of recyclers.
Each oceanic fishing net weighs 70 tons at a length of 2 kilometers. After it sinks to the seabed, it will never decay due to its superb durability..." In 2018, Taiwan Chemical FiberCompany began collaborating with American NGOs and well-known clothing brands to recycle discarded nylon fishing nets in Central and South America. At the NhơnTrạch plant in Vietnam, chemical dispersion recycling technology would be utilized on discarded nets to revert them to the primary nylon material caprolactam (CPL).From there, it is then remade into nylon yarns needed for functional clothing and tirecords, creating a solution where production and sustainability could actually coexist!
Taiwan Chemical Fiber successfully utilizes chemical dispersion recycling technology to turn recycled fishing gear into Seawastex marine recycled nylon yarns, which then enter high-value markets, such as for functional clothing and bicycles.
Mastering Key Technologies to Improve Nylon Recycling Efficiency and Purity
Not only is Taiwan Chemical Fiber a leading figure in the textile industry, but it is also one of the three companies globally capable of mass-producing regenerated nylon using chemical dispersion recycling technology. "Having accumulated decades of experience, Taiwan Chemical Fiber has been able to achieve more precise control over conditions, such as temperature and pressure, as well as incorporating AI systems in recent years to analyze viscosity and predict yarn output schedules to ensure that the quality of recycled materials is close to that of new materials." Therefore, in 2018, it took the lead in launching the nylon recycling project in overseas factories. Gaining Cooperation with various local governments, fishery associations, and fishing net manufacturers in Taiwan, the project established a recycling chain for nylon fishing net waste, reducing marine ecological damage while increasing the proportion of recycled raw materials.
Stepping Up as a Key Player in Establishing A Recycling Network For Fishing Gear
"In 2023, our regenerated nylon production capacity reached 15,000 tons,with 9,000 tons in Taiwan and 6,000 tons in Vietnam, achieving an overall recovery rate of 95%. This means that 95 kilograms of raw materials can be recovered from 100 kilograms. The remaining 5% that cannot be chemically recycled is turned into solid recovered fuel (SRF)." Apart from successfully securing mass production orders from customers and an investment of over NT$1 billion, Taiwan Chemical Fiber has seen phased results blossoming everywhere - from waste fishing net recycling systemsat the front end to factory recycling process construction at the back end. Among them, the most far-reaching impact lies in helping optimize fishing port environments and establishing sustainable recycling networks. Coupled With the use of solar power generation at the Xin Gang Plant in Chiayi County Taiwan Chemical Fiber, as well as cooperation with Chianan IrrigationChannel Cooperative Office to set up hydraulic power generation, , they lead the industry in accelerating the transition to net zero emissions.
Driving the Popularizationof Regenerated Nylon Applications and Expanding Sustainable Innovation Value
Taiwan Chemical Fiber believes that as the classification, sorting, and recycling of discarded fishing gear improves,the overall cost burden may decrease to a reasonable range, driving a steady increase in the use of regenerated nylon. "Even in the future, products made from 100%recycled materials from Taiwan Chemical Fiber, can return to the recycling system for reuse." With clearly defined long-term goals, the painstakingly established recycling operation mechanisms become even more meaningful,and Taiwan Chemical Fiber can continue to play a pivotal role, leading the upstream and downstream industries to embrace sustainable innovative value together.