Building a Circular Ecosphere:
The Role of Sustainable Materials Library in Taiwan and Beyond

Sustainable Materials Library (SML) was established by Plastics Industry Development Center (PIDC) in 2020 from the perspective on establishing a circular ecosphere in Taiwan and worldwide.
 

SML locates in Taichung, Taiwan and demonstrates sustainable materials which are classified into 7 categories of plastics, fibers, rubbers, metals, minerals, natural materials and others (recycling materials, adhesives, coating, additives etc.). Designers, product developers could see, touch and feel raw materials, secondary processing products or application prototypes and receive information of material properties and treatment in the library. Material suppliers could get closer to market demands for sustainable materials through this platform. To minimize constraints related to location and time, the Small and Medium Enterprise and Startup Administration (SMESA) provides funding to develop the SML online platform, a borderless sustainable materials database that provides information of materials, and furthermore, users could contact us through the platform for manufacturer matchmaking.
 

Sustainable Materials are broadly defined as materials that cause less harm to our environment and health during production, process of using and recycling and handling of end-of-life products. Three important features of sustainable materials are as below:

● Low hazards: low contents of heavy metals, plasticizer and pollutant emissions;
● Energy-saving: low carbon emissions, less materials wastage, lightweight, small volume, natural materials, low water consumption and durable materials;
● Easy to recycle: using single material, easy to be detached, efficient recycling system and degradable materials.

SML regularly invites experts from diverse fields to conduct workshops on international trade and seminars on integrating industrial resources to promote circular economic concepts. Serving as an intermediary between product developers and material suppliers, the SML platform offers material-related services such as generating new circular design concepts, prototyping, and small-batch production to bolster the sustainable materials industry from its foundations. Collaborating closely with Taiwan's design and materials sectors, SML endeavors to empower small and medium enterprises in realizing circular economic principles.

 

In a notable cooperative case study, we partnered with HWA MEEI OPTICAL CO., LTD to pioneer the production of Taiwan's first sunglasses crafted from discarded fishing nets. Unveiled at a music festival in 2017, these sunglasses received widespread acclaim and consumer appreciation.

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If you would like to further understand the collaboration approach for SML, please contact PIDC's Planning and Promotion Team. E-mail: pidcc4@pidc.org.tw