FENC's Textile Waste Upcycling Technology Wins the 2026 R&D 100 Awards with Industry Partners

Far Eastern New Century Corporation (FENC) has utilized its FENC® TOPGREEN® rTPEE technology to transform textile waste into soft and high-performance polyester elastomers.

Through a partnership among FENC, Taiwan Textile Research Institute (TTRI), Long John Tsung Right Industrial Co., Ltd., and Pro Arch International Development Enterprise Inc., the consortium seamlessly integrated the “One-Step Separation and Decolorization” process with mono-material polyester footwear design. This integration provides a highly commercially viable solution to the long-standing challenge of recycling composite materials in the global footwear industry, ultimately earning the prestigious 2026 R&D 100 Awards.

Single-material polyester shoes made from textile waste (Photo Credit: FENC)

The FENC^® TOPGREEN^® rTPEE technology uses recycled polyester textile material as a raw material which was converted into a high-performance elastomer. This innovative rTPEE material can be applied in diverse footwear and textile applications, including shoe midsoles and outsoles, elastic fibers, waterproof and breathable membranes, and synthetic leather. Integrating shoe structures with all polyester-based materials enables the development of single-material footwear, which lowers the difficulty of backend sorting and recycling, resulting in an easier chemical recycling at the end of the shoe’s life cycle.
Compared to conventional thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) commonly used in footwear and textiles, this polyester-based technology significantly reduces carbon emissions by over 40% while maintaining product performance and functionality. This achievement perfectly demonstrates the innovative value of "carbon reduction, high performance, and recyclability."

FENC will continue to advance low-carbon materials and circular economy solutions, collaborating with industry partners to promote the high-value utilization and commercial applications of recycled materials. Through sustainable material solutions for the global footwear and textile industries, FENC aims to accelerate the transition toward a net-zero future.