Partnering with iTrash, Maker of Smart Recycling Machines

In 2025, FENC took part in a collaboration with the Taipei City Government, New Taipei City Government and iTrash, a Taiwanese producer of smart recycling machines. The intention was to expand PET bottle recycling points to public areas, such as government buildings, social housing and mass transit systems. The public may earn EasyCard credits for recycling PET bottles. As of the end of 2025, 14 iTrash machines had been installed, and the goal is to add 100 in 2026. The recycled bottles undergo a streamlined recycling process at FENC, including sorting, cleaning, decontamination and thickening, to be converted into high-quality rPET as raw materials for a wide range of products. Since 2022, FENC has been partnering with 7-ELEVEN, adding smart recycling machines at its store locations to recycle PET bottles for remanufacturing. By the end of 2025, over 65 million post-consumer PET bottles have been recycled. By connecting consumers with recycling points and expanding our integration of recycling programs, FENC significantly enhances waste diversion from landfill and completes a circular ecosystem.

Joining the Taiwan High Speed Rail Corporation Sustainable Circularity Initiative

FENC channels efforts into advancing the circular economy by developing high-performance recycled materials and providing technical support for the entire industry chain. Joined by its subsidiaries, Far Eastern Apparel Co., Ltd. and OGM, FENC took part in the sustainable circularity initiative launched by the Taiwan High Speed Rail Corporation (THSRC). With the theme, “100% THSRC Recycled”, the initiative started with PET bottles recycled from the rail stations. OGM granulized the bottles into chips; FENC transformed the chips into eco-friendly yarns; Far Eastern Apparel Co., Ltd. turned the yarns into the end product, creating an innovative application of recycled waste and an exemplary case of circular textile applications. While advancing low-carbon and plastic reduction initiatives, such collaboration also energizes sustainable transformation across the industry. THSRC is planning to phase out current employee uniforms in 2026, and the new design will incorporate eco-friendly fabric sourced from post-consumer PET bottles. Seat headrests in train carriages and lids for warm beverage cups will also be gradually replaced with low-plastic materials. FENC, with help from OGM and Far Eastern Apparel Co., Ltd., will continue contributing to this initiative.

Introducing Textile-to-textile Circular Uniform Solution

To promote sustainability transformation within the textile industry, the Resource Circulation Administration, Ministry of Environment has been promoting the circular procurement guidelines for textiles in recent years, encouraging government agencies at all levels and the private sector to prioritize environmental materials that are “recyclable and remanufacturable” during the product design and procurement stages. FENC’s subsidiary, Far Eastern Apparel Co., Ltd., has been helping businesses catalyze change at the source by adopting circular and remanufactured materials for their uniform design, as seen in the updated uniform for Far EasTone Telecommunications Co. Ltd (FET) . The replaced uniforms were made with blended textiles, while the new ones are made entirely with mono-materials. The circular design also extends to the choice of recyclable accessories, such as buttons, which is a true embodiment of the closed-loop textile-to-textile model. This project was recognized by the Resource Circulation Administration as exemplary corporate practice of incorporating green procurement and circular design. With FENC’s help, FET received a total of 9,500 summer and winter uniforms. FENC’s textile recycling system offers design, raw materials, manufacturing, recycling and remanufacturing, creating a comprehensive green solution that realizes partners’ textile-to-textile vision for uniform production while advocating circularity and decarbonization. Persuaded by FENC’s efforts, FET will go one step further, promoting circular design by adopting mono-material rPET for employees’ winter uniforms.

FENC was invited to participate in the webinar, Bottle to Bottle–A Recycling Gathering, on December 18. The event was hosted by the Trust in Nature Foundation, which promotes environmental education and information, and SynerGood Co., Ltd., which has extensive experience in event organization and sustainable communication. Dr. Chiu Mao-yuan, Manager under the Polyester Business, attended the event and shared FENC’s experience in bottle-to-bottle (B2B) operations. As the first corporation in Taiwan with the bottle-to-bottle practice, FENC has been dedicating efforts to developing and implementing circular strategies, which transform waste into high-value recycled resources. In 2022, FENC solidified its position as the B2B leader by being the first corporation in Taiwan to obtain the letter of no objection from the Food and Drug Administration to produce rPET food contact materials using rPET chips. Dr. Chiu’s speech shared the history and development of PET bottle recycling in Taiwan as well as the technical process involved in the recycling, sorting, cleaning and production of rPET chips for food-grade applications. He explained how advanced recycling technologies were deployed to convert post-consumer PET bottles into premium-quality rPET for food containers. He also discussed FENC’s experience in promoting the circular economy, including key challenges in developing B2B technologies, quality and food safety management and potential applications of recycled materials in the food packaging sector. It is the hope that by sharing these insights, the public may gain a better understanding of the value of recycled plastics as a way to boost market application of circular materials.

This webinar attracted 150 professionals from a broad mix of sectors covering the academia and research institutions as well as the service and information technology industries, a sign that circular materials and recycled plastics have garnered widespread attention in the professional world. Through this interdisciplinary exchange, FENC explored the course of development for recycled food contact materials with experts and businesses specializing in recycled plastics. By engaging the public on the subject of circular economy, FENC is establishing partnerships to champion recycling and sustainability.

FIGP, Japan’s largest rPET supplier, has formed an alliance to promote the recycling of PET bottles with Jeplan, a Japanese recycling company, and Ito En, Ltd., the most well-known tea brand in Miyazaki Prefecture. The tripartite cooperation agreement was signed on August 6, 2025, establishing Japan’s first cross-company recycling model utilizing multiple recycling technologies. The post-consumer PET bottles recycled locally are processed by FIGP through mechanical recycling and converted into rPET. The powdery residue left behind during the mechanical recycling process is chemically recycled by Jeplan to maximize the recycling rate. Ito En, Ltd. then bottles its beverage products using the rPET containers to complete the loop. This project brings together the strengths of all three companies and the best of mechanical and chemical recycling methods, creating an unprecedented format of recycling collaboration in Japan that integrates technologies, boosts recycling volume and meets product demand. While laying a strong foundation for future long-term partnerships, by increasing the use of recycled materials, this model has delivered tangible environmental benefits in Japan.