The project 'Key Technologies for Green and Intelligent Manufacturing of Polyester Fiber Industry Chain' won the First Prize of the 2025 National Science and Technology Progress Award, marking the first time the chemical fiber sector has achieved such an honor for a full industrial chain technology. This highest honor from China's scientific community signifies that the independent innovation system of the chemical fiber industry has entered a systematic phase.
Background
On July 8, the National Science and Technology Awards Conference was held in Beijing, announcing the 2025 awards. Tongkun Group, as the lead unit, collaborated with Donghua University, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, and seven other institutions to win the first prize. Meanwhile, Professor Elsa Reichmanis, Chair of the International Advisory Committee of the State Key Laboratory for Modification of Chemical Fibers and Polymer Materials at Donghua University, received the International Science and Technology Cooperation Award. Donghua University became the only institution to win both top honors this year.
The project was led by Professor Wang Huaping of Donghua University, with deep involvement from academician Zhu Meifang's team, after over a decade of collaborative research. Polyester fiber is the 'industrial staple' of textiles, with China producing 70% of global chemical fiber, mostly polyester. The project addresses strategic needs for industrial chain security and competition, leveraging resources from Donghua's key lab and multiple disciplines including materials science, textile technology, and information intelligence.
The project achieved three core technological breakthroughs:
- Green manufacturing: Pioneered a PTA-PET direct-coupled low-carbon model, developed eco-friendly titanium-based catalysts and crude oil-based fiber oils, and established lifecycle green standards
- Intelligent manufacturing: Upgraded full-process automation, achieved large-scale domestic replacement of DCS control systems, and built an integrated process and quality control system
- Service-oriented manufacturing: Created a 'multi-head multi-tail' series-parallel composite polymerization platform, enabling modular digital linkage for differentiated product customization and multi-region agile manufacturing
To date, the project has formed a complete IP system with 76 authorized invention patents, 10 software copyrights, and 14 national/industry standards. Expert panels confirmed the overall technology as internationally leading. Results have been deployed in Zhejiang, Jiangsu, Xinjiang, and over 10 enterprises, with cumulative new sales exceeding 200 billion RMB, profits/taxes over 10 billion RMB, and export earnings of 1.8 billion USD. Tongkun Group was also selected as a national 'Zero-Waste Enterprise' model and 'National Service-oriented Manufacturing Demonstration Enterprise'.
Industry Impact
The significance lies in its systematic approach. Between 2012 and 2020, the textile sector had 28 national science awards, but first prizes were rare, such as Zhongfu Shenying's carbon fiber technology in 2017 and Shandong Kangpingna's digital dyeing in 2014. These focused on specialty fibers or single processes. This project covers the entire chain from raw materials to end products, indicating China's chemical fiber industry has moved from following to leading.
Direct impacts on the supply chain include:
- Upstream: The direct-coupled PTA-PET model reduces energy and carbon emissions, alleviates land competition, and secures domestic industry roots
- Midstream: The replicable intelligent manufacturing system upgrades SMEs from single-point automation to full digitalization, reducing defect rates
- Downstream: Enhanced customization capabilities provide higher-quality, lower-cost raw materials for apparel, home textiles, and industrial textiles, boosting brand development
- Exports: The 1.8 billion USD export earnings show technology export capability, preventing industrial chain relocation and solidifying China's global chemical fiber manufacturing hub status
Additionally, the International Cooperation Award to Professor Reichmanis highlights China's global fiber material influence. Her collaboration with Donghua University in talent training, publications, and international conferences accelerates industry-academia integration and attracts global resources.