The demand for functional garments has risen in the sports, leisure and shoe industry. Other sectors like the automotive and medical sector as well as construction materials and agricultural means have also recorded an increased use. However, functional textiles are often not identifiable as products from Taiwan.

The Far Eastern New Century (FENC) belongs to the largest textile producers of the island. Today, their production is predominantly located abroad with plants in China, Japan, the U.S. and Vietnam. In Taiwan where FENC has been producing spunbonded fabrics made of Polyester in a joint venture with the German company Freudenberg for the Asian market since 1987 they are increasing their capacities as well.

The textile manufacturers of Taiwan acquire their equipment from China, Japan and Germany in the first place. Taiwanese imports from Germany have increased by 24.3 percent during the first six months of 2018, hence surmounting the Japanese supplies by 42.5 million U.S. dollars.

The textile producers invest primarily in new capacities outside of Taiwan. In 2018, FENC is enlarging its facilities for PET (polyethylene terephthalate) and terephthalic acid (PTA) needed for the production of synthetic fibers inter alia. Together with an Indonesian and Mexican partner, FENC bought two new plants from a broke U.S. enterprise located in West Virginia and Texas reducing, amongst others, the risk of potential trade restrictions, and vice versa improving the chances to benefit from free trade agreements. Vietnam has been another core area for investment while new investments in China have become a rarity due to rising wages.

The headquarters of the often family operated textile companies are located in Taiwan where the purchasing and marketing decisions are made and research and development is carried out. Several manufacturers currently develop smart textiles incorporating for example devices for temperature control, heart monitoring or position finding.

Source: Germany Trade & Invest

Source: Bremen Cotton Report No. 47/48 – December, 6 2018

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