Taiwan's Industrial Technology Research Institute Collaborates with Career Technology and III to Promote Low-Carbon Energy-Saving Flexible PCBs and Develop Low-Carbon Plasma Technology to Aid Green Tr

▲The Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) has joined forces with Career Technology and the Institute for Information Industry (III) to hold the "Low-Carbon Energy-Saving Flexible PCB Supply Chain Advanced Technology Cooperation Team Inauguration Conference." Together, they have pledged to drive the green transformation of the printed circuit board (PCB) industry by developing low-carbon plasma processing technology, introducing energy-saving equipment, and optimizing production processes. This initiative aims to enhance the sustainability and international competitiveness of the PCB industry. From left to right: Director of the Mechanical and Mechatronics Systems Research Laboratories at ITRI, Tao Taren; General Manager of Career Technology, Zhang Jiahao; and Director of the Smart Manufacturing Technology Center at III, Cai Minghong.

In line with global sustainability and carbon neutrality trends, the Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) recently teamed up with Career Technology and the Institute for Information Industry (III) to hold the "Low-Carbon Energy-Saving Flexible PCB Supply Chain Advanced Technology Cooperation Team Inauguration Conference." This collaboration aims to promote the green transformation of the Printed Circuit Board (PCB) industry by replacing gases with high Global Warming Potential (GWP) and developing low-carbon plasma processing technology. Additionally, the initiative introduces energy-saving equipment and optimizes production processes to enhance the sustainability and international competitiveness of the PCB industry.

Tao Taren, Director of the Mechanical and Mechatronics Systems Research Laboratories at ITRI, stated that the world is facing challenges from global warming and extreme weather. Major PCB producing countries and international brand customers are increasingly focusing on carbon reduction, prompting the Taiwanese PCB industry to accelerate its low-carbon transformation. In response to this trend, ITRI is actively assisting Taiwan's PCB industry in developing high-value, low-carbon solutions. By employing advanced processing technology, ITRI helps enterprises achieve carbon neutrality for their products and promotes carbon reduction throughout the supply chain. Specifically, ITRI assists Career Technology in implementing low-carbon plasma processing technology, replacing traditional high-GWP fluorinated gases with low-GWP alternatives. By combining plasma simulation and analysis technology, the plasma process and carbon reduction optimization are enhanced, shortening development times and reducing validation costs. This initiative is expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to one-tenth of current levels, mitigating climate change and boosting the international competitiveness of Taiwan's PCB industry.

Zhang Jiahao, General Manager of Career Technology, emphasized the company's commitment to global sustainable development by strengthening cooperation with supply chain partners and developing low-carbon flexible PCB manufacturing solutions. Internally, Career Technology is integrating smart process management technology to enhance energy efficiency and adopting green manufacturing measures such as using recycled materials, achieving significant carbon reduction. The company is also focused on developing high-quality products for applications in foldable screen smartphones and tablets, in-vehicle entertainment systems, low-orbit satellite communications, and medical fields. Project leader and R&D director Liang Longzhen noted that the company is innovating and making breakthroughs in advanced technologies such as high-frequency high-speed circuits, fine lines, and micro-via filling to meet diverse customer and market needs. Career Technology will continue to collaborate with research institutions and supply chain partners to pursue high-quality and low-carbon goals, creating a win-win situation and aiming to play a key role in green technology for sustainable corporate and environmental development.

Cai Minghong, Director of the Smart Manufacturing Technology Center at III, stated that in response to the trend of net-zero emissions, III is collaborating with the industry to promote low-carbon transformation across the supply chain. Supported by the PCB Industry Net-Zero Carbon Emission Promotion Plan from the Industrial Development Bureau of the Ministry of Economic Affairs, III assists the PCB industry in carbon inventory and supply chain carbon data management. This includes developing low-carbon technology from the plant to the process end, evaluating the introduction of recycled materials, optimizing energy-saving equipment, and integrating carbon data management tools for data exchange. These green manufacturing measures aim to enhance energy efficiency, achieve carbon reduction, and improve the sustainability of the PCB industry.

The event also invited long-term key supply chain partners of Career Technology to participate, including DuPont, JCU, MacDermid Enthone, UYEMURA, Chemco Technology, Taiwan Kongjian, Eternal Yu Machinery, Yaya Technology, Yasuo Enterprises, Jasen Technology, Kangdai Technology, Top Quality, Tenta Circuit Machinery, Xinyang Technology, Qunbao Technology, Leigang Technology, and Yingqi Machinery, to discuss future carbon reduction and high-value product development. (Listed in order of company name strokes)

ITRI continues to focus on new market values and has developed the "2035 Technology Strategy and Blueprint" to address future challenges. In the "Sustainable Environment" field, ITRI leverages its interdisciplinary R&D strengths in mechanical and electronic domains to assist the PCB industry in adopting low-carbon plasma processing technologies, jointly moving towards a green economy and a sustainable environment.