On 20 September, the MOENV’s Southern Region Environmental Management Center of the Environmental Management Administration (EMA) invited businesses to visit electroplating factories in the Changhua Coastal Industrial Park that have successfully transitioned to use porous waste liquid crystal glass as an adsorption material for wastewater treatment. During the visit, the businesses learned about nanotechnologies that allow the conversion of discarded liquid crystal panel glass into a material with porous adsorption capabilities. They also experienced innovative technologies that save water and energy while reducing waste in the manufacturing process.

In the past, electroplating, metal surface treatment, and metal manufacturing industries often had to allocate a significant proportion of production costs for wastewater treatment. Inadequate wastewater treatment practices and insufficient use of treatment chemicals, driven by cost considerations, led to a high rate of non-compliance with effluent standards. In some cases, businesses resorted to risky practices such as illegal discharge through concealed pipes, resulting in pollution of nearby water bodies and consequent penalties, including operation suspension.

The Southern Region Environmental Management Center invited businesses to visit the Changhua Coastal Industrial Park on 20 September to help businesses in its jurisdiction enhance wastewater treatment technology. During the visit, they explored electroplating factories that have successfully transitioned to using porous waste liquid crystal glass developed by the Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) as an adsorption material for wastewater treatment. They also gained insights into nanotechnology-related experiences that enable the transformation of discarded liquid crystal panel glass into a material with porous adsorption capabilities. This innovative technology allowed visiting businesses to experience processes that saved water, conserved energy, and reduced the costs associated with wastewater treatment and waste disposal.

In certain areas of Southern Taiwan, particularly in river basins and areas such as the Erren River, Yanshui River basins, as well as at locations like Gangshan, Luzhu, and Hunei, there are industrial clusters of electroplating, metal surface treatment, and metal manufacturing businesses. These concentrated industrial clusters discharge wastewater, imposing a significant burden on the rivers in the region. To comprehensively improve the water quality of rivers in Southern Taiwan, the EMA has been working on integrating resources from relevant industrial, governmental, and academic sectors. Starting from visiting regulated businesses, it has horizontally connected various government agencies to provide multifaceted guidance, inspection and management for regulated businesses within river basins. This comprehensive effort encompasses both specific businesses and those of the broader context to enhance the water quality in Southern Taiwan. As part of the efforts, the EMA has specially invited business operators from Southern Taiwan to visit Central Taiwan, allowing them to experience in person the application of innovative technologies aimed at conserving water and reducing waste.

The Huang brothers, who took over their electroplating factory from their father, pointed out that the operational costs of the electroplating factory have significantly increased compared to the past. Wastewater effluent standards have become increasingly stringent. In the past, the approach to meet effluent standards involved the addition of various capture agents or chelating agents for wastewater treatment. However, the cost of these chemicals is a significant expense. The more chemicals added, the more waste sludge is generated, and the cost of sludge disposal has been increasing year by year. This vicious cycle has made it challenging to remain competitive and secure overseas orders. Now, witnessing the successful application of new technologies for wastewater treatment in other electroplating factories, they see a clear path for improvement in their own electroplating factory. Furthermore, they have the opportunity for constructive interactions and exchanges with government agencies and peers in the industry.

Ms. Lin, who is involved in the metal surface treatment industry, mentioned that in the past, visits to factories in similar industries were rare due to the competitive nature of the industry. However, this time, the EMA proactively invited businesses to visit their peers who have already successfully implemented new technologies. Witnessing the significant water savings achieved by using modified adsorption materials from waste liquid crystal, they noted a considerable reduction in the burden of wastewater treatment, which contributed to lowering the overall operational costs of the company.

The EMA emphasized that in the future, it will continue to organize similar initiatives for the promotion and exchanges in new pollution prevention and control technologies. The aim is to enhance the overall use of pollution reduction technologies in the industry and improve the quality of the living environment for the public.

Excerpt from Major Environmental Policies, September 2023