One figure captures the technological height of China's chemical fiber industry: the key technologies for green and intelligent manufacturing of the polyester fiber chain have generated over 200 billion yuan in new sales. The 2025 National Science and Technology Awards results show that the industry has achieved a systematic breakthrough in the entire polyester fiber chain, not just isolated innovations.
Three Pillars of Technological Breakthrough
Led by Tongkun Group, with Professor Wang Huaping from Donghua University as the lead researcher, the project involved ten institutions over more than a decade. The core outcomes focus on three dimensions:
- Green manufacturing: pioneered a direct PTA-PET coupling low-carbon model, developed eco-friendly titanium catalysts, and established full lifecycle green standards. For a sector producing 70% of global polyester fiber, this provides a replicable path to reduce environmental impact.
- Smart manufacturing: completed full-process automation upgrades and achieved large-scale domestic replacement of DCS control systems. Replacing imported systems enhances industrial autonomy and offers a standardized template for future adoption.
- Service-oriented manufacturing: created a 'multi-head, multi-tail' series-parallel polymerization platform for customized products and multi-region agile manufacturing. This means greater flexibility and shorter lead times for downstream buyers.
The project has secured 76 invention patents, 10 software copyrights, and 14 national/industry standards, with overall technology rated as world-leading.
Scale of Industrial Impact
Results have been deployed in Zhejiang, Jiangsu, Xinjiang, and over ten other enterprises. Tongkun Group was named a national 'zero-waste enterprise' model and a 'National Service-oriented Manufacturing Demonstration Company.'
Economically, the project generated over 200 billion yuan in new sales, 10 billion yuan in profits, and $1.8 billion in export earnings, while significantly reducing energy consumption and defect rates. For foreign trade companies, this means improved supply chain stability and cost control.
Deeper Meaning of International Collaboration
Alongside the first prize, the International Science and Technology Cooperation Award went to Professor Elsa Reichmanis, a three-time US academy member. Since 2013, she has collaborated with Donghua University's key lab, training national talents and co-authoring 18 papers, while chairing the world's largest fiber conference.
This award underscores that China's textile innovation is deeply integrated into global networks. For R&D institutions, it signals that international top talent can accelerate technology transfer and talent development.