The ROC Ministry of Economic Affairs said December 14 that in response to European Union environmental regulations and global energy shortages, it would continue to help Taiwan manufacturers develop environmentally friendly optoelectronics materials.
These efforts will include guiding manufacturers to invest in the development of energy-saving, low-toxicity materials technologies, as well as recycling technologies for manufacturing wastes.
The MOEA’s Industrial Development Bureau estimated that in 2010 its programs spurred investment of NT$280 million (US$9.29 million) in these areas, impacting roughly NT$290 million worth of production, and creating more than 70 new jobs. In all, the bureau said it assisted 12 companies in establishing proprietary optoelectronics materials technology.
This year, the bureau said its focus has been on the lighting industry, electronics packaging, related optoelectronics material sectors and the establishment of key material standards platforms. By year-end, at least 11 enterprises will have received technical guidance, stimulating investment of NT$700 million in the sector and the creation of more than 200 jobs.
To respond to the fast pace of change in the global industry environment, and in light of the fact that Taiwan’s optoelectronics and electronics sectors are export-oriented, it is imperative that related products are in line with EU and global environmental protection regulations, the IDB said.
The follow-up plan will be to strengthen green optoelectronics technology, carry out thorough technology assessment, and at the same time support enterprises’ technology development efforts, it added.
The bureau forecast that more than 20 new key technologies will be established next year and transferred to manufacturers for large-scale production, creating over 500 job opportunities and investment surpassing NT$2.5 billion.
