Polyester Fiber Industry Chain Technology Wins First Prize of National Science and Technology Progress Award: A New Benchmark for Independent Innovation in Chemical Fiber Industry

A project led by Tongkun Group and involving ten institutions including Donghua University, titled 'Key Technologies for Green and Intelligent Manufacturing in the Polyester Fiber Industry Chain,' won the first prize of the 2025 National Science and Technology Progress Award. This is the only top-tier award in the textile and chemical fiber sector this year, signifying that China's entire polyester fiber industry chain technology is now self-controlled and competitive.

Technological Breakthroughs: Reconstructing the Industry Chain in Three Dimensions

The project team pioneered a PTA-PET direct-coupled low-carbon manufacturing model and developed environmentally friendly titanium-based catalysts, replacing traditional antimony catalysts to reduce heavy metal pollution. Additionally, the invention of crude oil-based fiber oils and green oiling technologies significantly lowered carbon emissions throughout the production process. On the smart manufacturing front, full-process automation equipment was localized, and large-scale application of DCS control systems enabled integrated management of process and quality. In service-oriented manufacturing, a 'multi-head and multi-tail' series-parallel composite polymerization platform allowed for flexible customization of differentiated polyester fiber products and multi-region collaborative production.

These technologies form a closed loop from raw materials to end products. Data shows the project has generated 76 authorized invention patents, 10 software copyrights, and 14 national and industry standards, with an expert panel confirming the technology has reached an internationally leading level.

Industrial Impact: Over 200 Billion Yuan in Sales as a Demonstration Effect

To date, the achievements have been promoted in industrial bases in Zhejiang, Jiangsu, and Xinjiang, as well as over ten other industry units, generating cumulative new sales of over 200 billion yuan, profits and taxes exceeding 10 billion yuan, and export earnings of 1.8 billion US dollars. Industry energy consumption and defect rates have dropped significantly. Tongkun Group, leveraging this project, was selected as one of the first national 'Zero-Waste Enterprise' cases and recognized as a 'National Service-Oriented Manufacturing Demonstration Enterprise' and 'National Excellent Smart Manufacturing Demonstration Factory.'

This data underscores the strengthened position of polyester fiber as the 'staple' of the textile industry. China produces 70% of the world's chemical fibers, with polyester fiber leading all categories. The technology's adoption reduces the risk of industry chain relocation and provides downstream fabric and garment companies with more stable, lower-carbon raw material supplies.

International Perspective: Dual Signals of Cooperation and Competition

In the same award ceremony, Professor Elsa Reichmanis, Chair of the International Advisory Committee of Donghua University's State Key Laboratory for Advanced Fiber Materials, received the International Science and Technology Cooperation Award. This U.S. National Academy of Engineering member has collaborated deeply with Donghua since 2013, helping the Advanced Fiber and Polymer Materials International Conference become the world's largest fiber-themed academic event and jointly training national-level talents.

This award sends a clear signal: China's textile technology is not only breaking through internally but also actively integrating into the global innovation network. For international buyers, this means the technical barriers for Chinese polyester fiber products are lowering while quality and green standards are rising.

Industry Insights: The Path from Follower to Leader

From 2012 to 2020, the textile sector achieved 28 National Science and Technology Awards, including 22 Science and Technology Progress Awards covering special fibers, smart equipment, green dyeing, and industrial textiles. This first prize marks a shift from partial innovation to system integration for general fiber industry chain technology.

For downstream enterprises, the maturation of this technology system implies:
- Green certification at the raw material level will become a new trade barrier; buyers should assess suppliers' low-carbon technology adoption;
- Enhanced production stability from smart manufacturing will shorten lead times and reduce inventory risks;
- Service-oriented manufacturing enables small-batch, multi-variety orders, helping brands respond quickly to market changes.

Practical Recommendations

For Buyers - Prioritize suppliers using green titanium-based catalysts or similar low-carbon technologies to meet increasingly stringent carbon footprint requirements in markets like the EU; - Evaluate suppliers' smart manufacturing capabilities, especially DCS control systems and integrated process-quality management, which directly affect supply consistency and stability; - Leverage service-oriented manufacturing to request customized fibers—specific denier, strength, or functional modifications—to add value to end products.

For Foreign Trade Companies - Actively highlight product carbon footprint data in export quotations, using green technology advantages as a bargaining chip, especially in high-end European and American markets; - Establish technical cooperation or procurement alliances with leading firms like Tongkun to share cost advantages from smart manufacturing and enhance international competitiveness; - For emerging markets like Southeast Asia, promote the 'China Solution' of modular, replicable smart manufacturing systems to help local factories upgrade while driving equipment and technical service exports.