First Chemical Division
A. History
The 1st Chemical Division was created for the production of wood
pulp and rayon utilizing twigs and discarded small woods from logging as raw material.
In 1967, the wood pulp and rayon fiber plant was built, which carries an
integrated line from log processing and fabric dyeing. In recent years out of
concern for environmental protection and soil preservation, logging was totally
banned in Taiwan. Since then, we
had to rely on logs imported from the US and Southeast Asia for the production
of wood pulp. But without a good grip on the shipment and source of raw
materials, we were at a disadvantage in comparison with our foreign
counterparts. Thus we started to import wood pulp instead of producing it
ourselves and put our operational focus on the production of rayon staple
products. But we continue to study the feasibility of running log business and
set up wood pulp factory abroad to ensure our autonomy in the supply of raw
materials.
B. Major Businesses
In the production of rayon staple fiber, we have been expanding the
production lines since the plant was built. As of year-end 2002, our capacity
for rayon staple fiber accounted for 8.2% of the world capacity, making us the
fourth largest producer worldwide and a considerable force in the fiber
industry. We are also the major supplier for the domestic spinning and
non-woven fabric industry. Rayon staple fiber, polyester and acrylic are three
major synthetic short fibers in the country. Our production of rayon staple
fiber accounted for 10.1% supply of synthetic short fiber in the country in
2002. Taiwan produces little natural cotton. By providing steady supply of
low-priced materials, we have been making a contribution to the long-term
development of our textile industry.
Aside from working on boosting production efficiency, the Division
is also committed to continuous improvement in quality. We have received the
national standards mark from the Bureau of Standards, Metrology and Inspection.
In 1994, we received the ISO-9002 certification from international standard
organization. Also, to meet customer’s demands for enhancing the added value of
their products, we work towards developing products of special specifications
to make our product lines more diversified. Currently we produce mainly rayon
staple fiber with different performance, including regular rayon, improved
tenacity rayon, dope dyed rayon, high wet modulus rayon, flame retardant rayon,
fine denier, and anti-bacteria rayon. To meet production needs, we also make
sulphuric acid, carbon disulfide and anhydrous sodium sulphate, which is a
by-product recovered in the
production process.
Rayon fiber is made from natural material. Different from synthetic
fiber, it is biodegradable. For many years, the Division has been committed to
environmental protection, working on improving the properties of this kind of
green products and investing heavily in waste reduction by recycling wastewater
and waste gas. To make sure we fulfill our responsibility of environmental
protection and management, we faithfully comply with the requirements of
ISO-14001, environmental laws and regulations and internally establishment
rules, and implement them through employee training, propagation, periodic
audit and continuous improvement.
The Division built the rayon fiber plant when demands for rayon fiber were at its peak. In the ensuing years faced with the pressure of changing industrial structure, substitution by synthetic fibers and rising environmental costs, many producers in Europe, the US and Japan chose to quit the market. We are able to stand firm through continuous efforts in manpower rationalization, quality enhancement and cost reduction, and continue to work for the long-term development of the textile industry in the hope to create a new era for rayon fiber.
