A major technological breakthrough in the entire polyester fiber value chain has pushed China's synthetic fiber industry to new heights. On July 8, the 2025 National Science and Technology Awards were announced in Beijing. The project 'Key Technologies for Green and Intelligent Manufacturing in the Polyester Fiber Chain,' led by Tongkun Group in collaboration with Donghua University and Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, won the first prize of the National Science and Technology Progress Award. This is the highest-level recognition for the general fiber segment since previous wins in carbon fiber and smart dyeing.
Technological Breakthrough: From 'Industrial Staple' to Self-Reliant System
Polyester fiber is considered the 'staple food' of the textile industry. China produces 70% of the world's chemical fibers, with polyester ranking first. The project was led by Donghua University researcher Wang Huaping, with deep involvement from the team of Academician Zhu Meifang. It focused on strategic needs for chain security and international competition, building an independent advanced manufacturing system.
Three core technology directions support this award:
- Green manufacturing: pioneering PTA-PET direct coupling low-carbon model, developing environmentally friendly titanium-based catalysts, and establishing full lifecycle green standards.
- Smart manufacturing: completing full-process automation upgrades, achieving domestic replacement of DCS control systems, and forming replicable industrial upgrade solutions.
- Service-oriented manufacturing: creating a 'multi-head, multi-tail' polymerization platform for agile customization and multi-region collaborative production.
To date, the project has formed 76 authorized invention patents, 10 software copyrights, and 14 national/industry standards. Experts have verified that the overall technology has reached the world's leading level.
Industrial Impact: Over 200 Billion Yuan in New Sales and Low-Carbon Transition
The pace of technology industrialization is remarkable. Public data shows that related technologies have been promoted to more than ten units in Zhejiang, Jiangsu, and Xinjiang, accumulating over 200 billion yuan in new sales, more than 10 billion yuan in profits and taxes, and $1.8 billion in export earnings. Industry energy consumption and defect rates have significantly decreased. Tongkun Group was selected as a national 'Zero-Waste Enterprise' model and named a 'National Service-Oriented Manufacturing Demonstration Enterprise.'
For buyers and downstream companies, this means improved supply stability and quality consistency of polyester fibers. The low-carbon attribute also provides stronger support for brands facing green barriers in markets like the EU.
International Collaboration and Disciplinary Resonance
At the same ceremony, Professor Elsa Reichmanis, chair of the International Advisory Committee of Donghua University's State Key Laboratory of Advanced Fiber Materials, received the International Science and Technology Cooperation Award of the People's Republic of China. The three-time US academician has long promoted US-China fiber materials cooperation. Since 2013, she has co-supervised graduate students with Donghua, published 18 high-level papers, and advanced the world's largest fiber-themed academic conference.
Two major awards landing at the same university reflect the deep logic of China's textile sector transitioning from 'follower' to 'leader': independent innovation combined with international collaboration, and industry-education integration with market demand.