Feature
Low-Carbon Manufacturing: Taiwan’s Success Stories
Esteemed representatives from renowned organizations including Giant, TPCA, Delta, and TECO shared their insights and experiences in carbon reduction at the forum.
Taiwan serves as a leading supplier of innovative low-carbon products to the global market, including PCB circuit boards, bicycles, motors, and power management systems. How did manufacturers transform themselves into net-zero enterprises? Since 2022, ITRI has been actively assisting the industry in cutting carbon emissions through net-zero services and technologies. These services encompass technology integration for emission reduction, the creation of low-emission business models, the facilitation of carbon rights trading, and the establishment of carbon management platforms. Meanwhile, the net-zero technologies cover various sectors such as energy supply, power consumption, low-carbon manufacturing, and sustainable environment. Here are some highlights of those solutions.
Giant Group, a renowned bicycle manufacturer, recently introduced a new model with the potential to possess the world’s lowest carbon emissions. Giant CEO Yuon-Chan Liu emphasized that the company has focused on surveying and improving key areas to reduce carbon emissions. Upon discovering that some recycled aluminum is more durable than newly produced aluminum, Giant analyzed aluminum recycled from different sources and identified those with the lowest carbon emissions while maintaining quality. Additionally, Giant narrowed the painting booth in the manufacturing line, resulting in annual energy savings of 334,000 kWh, equivalent to 170.4 tons of CO2 emissions. The company also invested significantly in wastewater recycling, leading to savings of up to 5,300 tons of water each year. Giant’s commitment to low-carbon manufacturing extends beyond its operations. In December 2022, the company established the Bicycling Alliance for Sustainability (BAS), attracting the participation of at least 66 companies, thirty-seven of which have initiated and/or obtained carbon footprint verifications.
Although the PCB industry is not considered a major carbon emitter globally, their clients have begun embracing the net-zero trend and setting their own carbon reduction goals ranging from 2030 to 2040. To further increase the competitiveness of Taiwan’s PCB industry, the Taiwan Printed Circuit Association (TPCA) has actively encouraged the industry to adopt carbon reduction measures. TPCA Chairman Maurice Lee acknowledged the significant support received from government and legal entities in facilitating the industry’s transition toward carbon reduction. “Thanks to their help in greenhouse gas verifications and power consumption hot-spot analysis, TPCA identified that indirect emissions account for 77% of the total carbon emissions of the industry.” In response, TPCA devised a strategy focused on promoting energy conservation, developing renewable energy technologies, and encouraging negative carbon emissions and carbon trading. The short-term goal is to cut the use of high carbon-emission fuels, while the mid- to long-term goal involves decreasing both indirect and value chain emissions.
Delta Electronics, a global provider of power and thermal management solutions, has been at the forefront of carbon reduction initiatives. “Since 2015, Delta has been committed to international sustainability initiatives, and we successfully underwent the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) review within two years, becoming the 87th organization worldwide to achieve this,” said Delta CSO Jesse Chou. Through continuous efforts, the company achieved a remarkable 71% reduction in carbon intensity (CI) in 2021, while also achieving a 55% usage rate of renewable electricity across their global offices. In their pursuit of 100% renewable electricity usage and carbon neutrality by 2030, as well as the ultimate goal of its net-zero science-based target by 2050, Delta has implemented measures not only in their production sites but also among their clients, promoting the adoption of energy-saving products. Additionally, Delta has internally implemented a carbon pricing system to expedite carbon neutrality in its global operations. “The fee, starting from USD 50 per ton, was set at USD 300 in 2021, consistent with the expected carbon price for limiting global warming to within 1.5°C by 2030 as specified by the United Nations’ scientific study on climate change,” added Chou. Funds generated from the carbon fees are used for energy savings in factories and renewable energy management purposes, and the solar energy systems currently installed on the roofs of all Delta buildings are supported by carbon fees as well.
With electric motors being the largest electricity consumers, there is a growing global awareness regarding motor energy efficiency. While the EU has implemented International Efficiency Class 4 (IE4) motors, which are currently classified as the super-premium efficiency class, TECO Electric and Machinery Director Jian-Rong Sun believes that “there is still much room for improvement.” TECO has thus taken the initiative to develop IE5 and IE6 motors, utilizing the least amount of rare earth resources possible. The company has effectively helped its clients save energy by comprehensively replacing inefficient IE1 motors in PCB plants with energy-saving low-carbon motors such as IE3 induction motors and IE4 permanent magnet motors. This transition results in an annual electricity savings of 2.11 million kWh, reducing 1.06 million kilograms of carbon emissions. In addition to high-efficiency motors, TECO also assists clients in introducing real-time smart equipment management systems that identify and address possible inefficiencies to slash operational costs and carbon emissions.