We have always placed the greatest value on Research and Development. Each year we invest more than NT$500 million towards the development of new products, improving production technology, upgrading management skills, enhancing construction engineering, conserving resources, preventing pollution and researching industrial safety and sanitation technology. Our goal in all of these is to ensure operational safety, guard against pollution, conserve resources and increase production efficiency. In recent years we have significantly improved in the areas of productivity and adding value. Products developed by our various divisions include aeronautical-grade carbon fiber, CFC substitutes, SBR, matted-type PVC, MBS, super absorbent polymer, PP and PE modifiers, master batch, HDPE coatings for steel pipe, HDPE for use in communication cable insulation, piping-grade HDPE, HDPE for use in compound fiber, HDPE for use in small oil drums, bottle-blowing grade HDPE for use in large chemical drums, high quality art paper, master batch calcium carbonate, incinerator disposal bags, draw string bags, POM resin and special purpose fiber materials. In the future we will continue developing engineering plastics, specialty chemicals and superfine fibers in order to offer more value-added products, promote diversified development of plastics, fiber and electronics products, and spur greater economic development in Taiwan.

Performance of R&D Projects from 1998 to 1999
1. Successfully developed PVC impact modifier methacrylate-butadiene-styrene (MBS) to increase market share.

2. Successfully developed new micro-suspension process to improve product quality.

3. Implemented quality improvement of matted-type PVC to enhance matted-surface results and reduce costs.

4. Successful development and formal production of U36 fiber, high-flat fibers and (new) acid dyeable fiber, to further enhance product quality and market promotion.

5. Conducted carbonization tests on new formulations for precursors of carbon fibers to improve quality and increase strength of precursors of carbon fibers, thus promoting product competitiveness.

6. Successfully developed HDPE for use in the insulation of communications cable, piping-grade HDPE and large drum grade HDPE.

7. Developed super absorbent polymer (SAP) with high absorption capacity under high-pressure conditions and anti-bacteria SAP to increase market competitiveness.

8. Conducted carbon fiber spinning speed increase tests to increase production capacity and lower costs.