TITAS 2009 Nets NT$1 Billion in Biz Opportunities

With the strong support of the Bureau of Foreign Trade under the Ministry of Economic Affairs, the 2009 Taipei Innovative Textile Application Show (TITAS 2009), held on October 14-16 at the Taipei World Trade Center, generated business opportunities estimated at over NT$1 billion (US$31.15 million at US$1:NT$32.1), including on-spot and follow-up orders.

The three-day annual exhibition, which was organized by the Taiwan Textile Federation (TTF), attracted 20,288 professional visitors from 41 countries, up 3.7% from a year earlier. The number of exhibitors reached 1,325, a three-year record. Overseas exhibitors came mainly from China, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, India, Germany, Poland, and the Netherlands. The growth in the number of visitors and exhibitors indicated that the exhibition was not affected by the global financial tsunami.

Despite the economic downturn, over a hundred brand representatives came to TITAS 2009, hunting for the latest functional and eco-textile products. Among them were Lafuma and Eider from France, sports gear giant Under Armour from the U.S., Helly Hansen from Norway, outdoor wear supplier BAILO from Italy, Coalision from Canada, Eiheiji Sizing from Japan, and the rising brand Toread from China.

The show organizer claimed that many international buyers were amazed by the innovative products showcased by some of the top exhibitors, boasting that the exhibition is one of Asia's best platforms for purchasing innovative textile products, from upstream to downstream items.

TITAS has been a sourcing platform for functional textiles since 2005, presenting textile products with moisture transferring, water-vapor permeable, water-proof, antibacterial, deodorant, UV-protective for outdoor and sports wear, and other characteristics.

Among the highlights of TITAS 2009 were the introduction of eco-textile labeling systems, innovative functional textiles, fall/winter 2010/2011 fashion textiles, custom-tailored trade meetings, and seminars on textile market analysis and fashion trends.

Green Formosa Plastics

The Formosa Plastics Group's (FPG's) major subsidiaries, including the Formosa Taffeta Co., Formosa Chemical and Fibre Corp., and Nan Ya Plastics Corp., adopted the "Green Formosa Plastics, Protecting the Earth" as their theme in showcasing its latest eco-friendly and functional textile products.

The choice of this theme highlights the fact that while FPG develops high-tech, high-value, functional, and comfortable textile fiber products, it still devotes much attention to environmental responsibility.

At the exhibition, Formosa Taffeta launched its new "Coldblack" textile processing technology, which reduces the absorption of the sun's rays and provides reliable protection from damaging UV rays.

Formosa Chemical & Fibre showcased a new type of high-humidity-factor rayon cotton (Formotex), the world's second such to go into mass production. Another specialized product developed by the company is medical-grade non-woven rayon cotton; its recycled nylon fiber has already received green certification, and it will be one of the featured products at the 2012 Paris Olympics.

Nan Ya sported its environmentally friendly biodegradable polyester, APEXA, which naturally breaks down into CO2 and water when buried. The company also introduced the PET-bottle recycled fiber ECOGREEN, which is made using Nan Ya's own chemical and mechanical production methods.

Far Eastern Green

The Far Eastern Textile Corp., one of Taiwan's leading manufacturers of synthetic fibers and textiles, launched its "TOPGREEN" green fiber products at TITAS 2009. The company has made "green" and "renewable" the key words of its R&D program this year, saying that recycled PET bottles can be re-made to have a variety of synthetic product applications and can be processed into a variety of environmentally-friendly, functional textile products to fulfill Far Eastern Textile's energy-saving, carbon-reducing, and green textile corporate mission.

The idea of recycling and renewability was the foundation for the development of TOPGREEN recycled PET-bottle yarn using bottles as raw material and running it through multiple environmentally-friendly production processes. Turning waste into new fiber not only saves resources but also reduces carbon dioxide emissions by 20%, thus slowing global warming.

In addition, the Renewable Business Unit of the Far Eastern Group's Oriental Resources Development Ltd. is dedicated to the recycling of PET bottles, from collection and separation to fiber production quality control, and is aiming for the mass production of recycled-bottle yarn.

Daai Eco Products

Among the most eye-catching products on display at the exhibition were eco-friendly shirts, blankets, and scarves designed and produced by the Daai Technology Co. through waste-recycling processes.

Founded in 1990 by a group of environmental-protection and industrial volunteers, Daai stresses the need to follow the practical, hands-on approach to environmental protection advocated by Master Cheng Yen, head of the Tzu Chi Foundation.

After almost two decades of development, Daai has become an industry leader in the development of waste-recycling processing technology. The company uses certified, trademarked systems and automated process management to produce PET yarns of the highest quality.

Fabrics made from Daai's yarns can disperse sweat quickly, and have a high moisture absorbency that keeps the wearer cool and comfortable. These fabrics can be easily integrated into other manufacturing processes, allowing clients to create innovative products from 100% recycled PET content.

In addition to producing environmental friendly products from recycled PET bottles, Daai also hopes that its business activities will raise environmental awareness among businesses and society at large.

Daai strives to accelerate the pace of the environmental protection movement and hopes to ensure that future generations can enjoy the Earth's unspoiled resources. All of its profits go to the Tzu Chi Foundation, a prominent charity organization, to support its charitable and humanitarian activities.

The Taiwan Textile Federation notes that TITAS 2010 will be held on October 13-15 next year, again in Exhibition Hall 1 of the Taipei World Trade Center.