The 2025 National Science and Technology Awards have placed the textile chemical fiber sector in the spotlight. The project 'Green and Intelligent Manufacturing Key Technologies for the Polyester Fiber Industry Chain,' led by Tongkun Group and involving ten institutions including Donghua University, won the first prize in the category of Scientific and Technological Progress. This marks the highest recognition for full-chain technology in general fiber, signaling that China's chemical fiber industry has completed the most critical step in building an independent technology system.
Background
Polyester fiber is known as the 'industrial staple' of the textile industry. China produces 70% of the world's chemical fibers, with polyester fiber leading in volume. The scale of this sector means that technological upgrades are not just a corporate issue but a national concern affecting economic security, land use (reducing competition between grain and cotton), and carbon neutrality goals.
The project, led by Professor Wang Huaping from Donghua University and involving academician Zhu Meifang, achieved breakthroughs in three areas after over a decade of collaborative research:
- Green manufacturing: Pioneered a direct PTA-PET coupling low-carbon model, developed eco-friendly titanium-based catalysts, and established full lifecycle green standards.
- Smart manufacturing: Achieved localization of DCS control systems, creating a replicable industrial upgrade blueprint.
- Service-oriented manufacturing: Developed a 'multi-head, multi-tail' polymerization platform for customized, agile production of differentiated polyester fibers.
To date, the project has yielded 76 invention patents, 10 software copyrights, and 14 national/industry standards, with technology assessed as internationally leading. Applications have been deployed in Zhejiang, Jiangsu, and Xinjiang, generating over 200 billion yuan in new sales, 10 billion yuan in profits/taxes, and 1.8 billion USD in exports.
Industry Impact
For buyers and downstream firms, this breakthrough means significantly improved product stability and customization. Traditional polyester fiber production often struggled with green processes and flexible manufacturing. The new project's modular digital linkage system enables precise, differentiated raw material supply, reducing waste rates for fabric mills.
From a regional perspective, key polyester-producing areas like Tongxiang (Zhejiang), Shengze (Jiangsu), and Xinjiang will be the first to benefit. Tongkun Group has already been recognized as a national 'Zero-Waste Enterprise' and 'Service-oriented Manufacturing Demonstration Enterprise.' This demonstration effect will drive green and smart transformation across the broader industrial cluster.
Another noteworthy point is the International Science and Technology Cooperation Award given to Prof. Elsa Reichmanis from Lehigh University. Her long-term collaboration with Donghua University—including joint training, publications, and conferences—underscores China's open innovation strategy in textiles. For foreign trade firms, this international cooperation helps enhance the global standing of Chinese fiber materials and reduce technical barriers.