Taiwan's Eco-protection Equipment Suppliers Eye Developing Markets

Most makers in Taiwan are SMEs w

Having established a solid footing in Taiwan, local eco-protection equipment suppliers are now eyeing developing markets, aiming to tap such segments by offering products and services to help solve pollution, recycling problems as emerging nations gradually industrialize.

Most of Taiwan's eco-protection suppliers are SMEs dedicated to small-scale devices for waste water treatment, air cleaning, and waste processing. With personnel typically under 50, these suppliers have developed in-house know-how and can provide custom products and complete after-sale services.

Taiwan's eco-protection equipment industry's annual production value is estimated at US$700 million, about half of which is exported, mainly to China and Southeast Asia. Some suppliers have set up factories in China—mainly in coastal areas such as Zhejiang Province, Shanghai, and Guangdong Province—easing access to the market.

Driven by Necessity

Most likely driven by obligation and necessity due to globally tightening eco-regulations, Taiwan's eco-protection equipment sector has grown and advanced substantially over the past years, partly also fueled by the expanding domestic market.

Another significant factor helping growth is official assistance, with the Taiwan government listing eco-protection amid the 10 emerging strategic industries. The Industrial Development Bureau (IDB) under the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) has implemented a product quality certification mechanism, giving more credibility to suppliers of quality eco-protection equipment to sell products.

Attending Global Exhibitions

The IDB has also helped the Taiwan Environmental Manufacturers Association set up strategic alliance among local suppliers to engage in R&D and marketing, the latter of which includes organizing delegations to attend eco-protection exhibitions overseas and organizing domestic exhibitions as the Green Tech Expo Taiwan, whose 2010 edition will be held in Taipei Oct. 20-22.

Other official programs include the setting up of dedicated eco-protection industrial zones in Taiwan to foster the development of such sector, which is offered attractive tax incentives to install eco-protection facilities. The Environmental Science and Technology Park in Kaohsiung County, southern Taiwan, is home to 172 enterprises with total investment of US$1.1 billion and annual output value reaching US$2.2 billion, as well as hiring 5,800 persons.

Taiwan-made Eco-protection Devices

Nano Dust Collector

Yuan-li Turbine Co., Ltd. just launched the nano dust collector, which is patented in the U.S., Taiwan, and China, and is capable of capturing even nano-scale airborne particles generated during manufacturing, hence improving air quality. Another model is the high-volume dust collector, designed to capture larger metallic and wooden particles, as well as fiber, asbestos and dioxin generated during manufacturing. Air purifier and oil/fog collectors are also available, and the company can make-to-order and offer turnkey plant.

Waste Crushers

Kun Sheng Machine Co., Ltd., with an 18-year history and customers in over 30 countries, offers waste crushers to recycle plastics and other products. It just launched a single-axis crusher with faster cutter change relative to that of double-axis crushers, as well as able to crush waste directly without unpacking. Another practical product is the patented automatic membrane dehydrator, capable of reducing water content in waste film to less than 6% to facilitate recycling. Able to offer turnkey solution, this maker is an OEM for a Japanese eco-protection equipment firm. Kun Sheng just brought online a new factory of 1,800 pings or 64,800 square feet earlier this year.

Compactor-cum-baler

Godswill Paper Machinery has a closed-end automatic compactor-cum-baler, capable of compacting plastics, paper, and iron/aluminum cans before automatic bailing, thereby greatly boosting recycling efficiency and cutting cost. Boasting modal-based function—enabling user to switch modes to suit different wastes—this compactor-cum-baler is widely used in waste collection stations. Having been in business over 20 years, the company has exported over 100 sets of machinery to 60 countries, mainly in Europe, Japan, Australia, and America.

High-pressure Dust Collectors

Chen Hone Machinery has high-pressure dust collectors that are heavy-duty in suction, quiet, and compact, enabling ceramics, foodstuff and chemical factories to easily handle dust pollution to keep a clean working environment. With multi-outlets, this dust collector allows an operator to easily connect a soft suction tube, turn on the valve to suction dust. The company has a sizable customer list, including many locally established ceramics firms as White Horse Ceramic, China Glaze, and Champion Building Materials.

Electrostatic Precipitator

Taiwan-Ep Co., Ltd. has an electrostatic precipitator, mainly to collect vaporized oil and smoke in restaurants, snack stands, fast-food outlets and factories. Designed to collect particulates with diameters ranging from 0.1mm to 10 mm, the precipitator is 99% efficient, CE-certified, as well as able to operate in high-temperature environments and recycling heat to save power. Besides having thousands of domestic clients, the company has exported to China, South Korea, and Europe.

International Dehydration Equipment offers a recirculating sludge drying system, a wastewater-treatment facility capable of reducing water content by 70% to slash freightage for sludge. Liang Chih-hsi, the chairman, notes the saving in freightage in the first year alone can recoup the purchasing cost of the equipment. This drying system is mainly used in electroplating, electronics, chemical, and foodstuff factories.

Large-inlet Crusher

Wan Ming Machinery offers a crusher for larger waste as home furnishings, small appliances as TVs and refrigerators etc. The MD-C50 features a large-diameter inlet, heavy-duty motor ranging 30-200 horsepower, vibration-free and quiet operation due to ball bearing action, water-cooled design and SKD steel structure, as well as a dust collector. The company has customers in Taiwan and overseas.