The award of a National First Prize for Science and Technology Progress has thrust polyester fiber—the 'industrial staple' of textiles—into the spotlight. In the 2025 National Science and Technology Awards, Tongkun Group, as the lead unit, along with Donghua University, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, and seven other institutions, won the First Prize for their project 'Key Technologies for Green and Intelligent Manufacturing in the Polyester Fiber Industry Chain.' This marks a qualitative shift for China's textile sector, from following to leading in full-industry-chain technology for general fibers.
Background
China produces 70% of the world's chemical fibers, with polyester fiber ranking first among all types. However, the industry chain has long faced gaps in green, intelligent, and customized manufacturing, with high-end reliance on imports and low-end homogeneous competition. This award-winning project, led by Professor Wang Huaping from Donghua University and involving academician Zhu Meifang's team, addresses these pain points through over a decade of collaborative R&D, building an autonomous advanced manufacturing system.
The project achieved breakthroughs in three dimensions: green manufacturing introduced a PTA-PET direct-coupling low-carbon model and eco-friendly titanium catalysts; intelligent manufacturing upgraded automation and replaced imported DCS systems; and service-oriented manufacturing created a 'multi-head multi-tail' polymerization platform for customized production.
Industry Impact
The significance extends beyond the award. The project has generated 76 invention patents, 10 software copyrights, and 14 national/industry standards, with overall technology rated internationally advanced by an expert panel. Results have been deployed in Zhejiang, Jiangsu, Xinjiang, and at over 10 companies, adding over 200 billion yuan in sales, 10 billion yuan in profits and taxes, and $1.8 billion in exports.
For the supply chain, this means: first, green manufacturing technologies directly reduce the carbon footprint of downstream fabrics and garments, meeting stricter international procurement requirements. Second, the replicable intelligent manufacturing model offers a template for small and medium enterprises to upgrade, accelerating industry consolidation. Third, service-oriented manufacturing shifts factories from 'produce what you can' to 'produce what the customer needs,' a boon for fast fashion and functional fabric buyers.
Notably, Tongkun Group has been recognized as a national 'Zero-Waste Enterprise' and 'National Service-Oriented Manufacturing Demonstration Enterprise,' proving the technology's real-world viability. Meanwhile, Professor Elsa Reichmanis from Lehigh University received the International Science and Technology Cooperation Award for her long-term collaboration with Donghua University, highlighting China's open innovation approach.