At the 2023 Taiwan International Semiconductor Exhibition, aside from digital technologies, the ongoing trend of sustainability has attracted significant attention. With the rise of international carbon reduction trends aimed at mitigating global warming, an increasing number of end applications emphasize energy conservation, product performance, and green living, with a goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions. Based on the philosophy of "helping society and promoting sustainability," Precious Mountain Medical Devices has integrated ESG principles into its business operations and product manufacturing, developing the world’s first "PACER PVC Bio-Mass" eco-friendly biodegradable gloves. This innovation has not only received multiple international patents but also achieved an important milestone in the environmental sustainability of cleanroom gloves.
Taiwan's local industry, Precious Mountain Medical Devices, has garnered global invention patents for its PVC Bio-Mass eco-friendly biodegradable gloves, making its unique innovative technology a highlight of this exhibition. Precious Mountain has launched the world's first PVC "Bio-Mass" biodegradable gloves, which have received three major international certifications for biodegradable products and have already been sold in Europe and Japan. Mr. Lin Guotang, CEO of Precious Mountain, stated that their future goals include upholding ESG principles, balancing quality and cost control, and further upgrading the composition of their biodegradable gloves to increase the biomass content, aiming for deeper research breakthroughs.
Mr. Lin, who has a background in healthcare, shared that his motivation for founding the company remains the same as when he worked in hospitals: to help people with quality products. This was also his initial inspiration for developing PVC eco-friendly biodegradable gloves. While engaging in the research and development of biodegradable gloves, Precious Mountain has also implemented internal initiatives, such as carbon reduction activities to minimize resource consumption in the office and supporting environmentally friendly community services and beach clean-up events.
Reflecting on the development process of biodegradable gloves, Lin candidly noted that while making gloves from biodegradable materials is not difficult, the challenge lies in maintaining functionality while incorporating these materials. He explained that different industries have varying requirements for glove characteristics: medical applications require sufficient protection, electronics manufacturing demands low ionic content and high purity, and food applications must meet stringent cleanliness standards. Moreover, controlling costs is crucial to persuade customers to adopt these products.
Thanks to the team's efforts, Precious Mountain successfully developed the world’s first PVC Bio-Mass eco-friendly biodegradable gloves, with a biomass content of 27%. This technology has received invention patents in countries such as Taiwan and Japan, and has passed three major international certifications for biodegradable products: Japan's JORA, the U.S. USDA Biobased, and Europe’s OK Biobased.
Lin further explained that PVC Bio-Mass utilizes patented technology to replace part of the petrochemical raw materials in gloves with biomass materials. Biomass plays a role in the carbon cycle, where photosynthesis converts atmospheric carbon into organic matter, which, after dying or being oxidized, returns to the atmosphere as carbon dioxide (CO2). This cycle is relatively short; after disposal, the biomass materials do not contribute to the accumulation of petrochemical carbon in the atmosphere. Instead, they release oxygen after participating in photosynthesis, achieving a "carbon-neutral" characteristic.
In comparison to other eco-friendly gloves on the market, the primary distinction of PVC Bio-Mass lies in its theoretical foundation. Most eco-friendly gloves use biodegradable plastics that require specific temperatures and environments to decompose. However, Taiwan's current recycling systems are not equipped to handle biodegradable plastics. When these materials enter the natural environment, they can adversely affect both humans and ecosystems. Conversely, PVC Bio-Mass gloves reduce the use of petrochemical raw materials from the source to achieve carbon reduction.
The PACER PVC Bio-Mass cleanroom gloves, designed for high-tech cleanrooms, not only possess eco-friendly attributes but also meet ISO Cleanroom standards for high purity and low ionic content. They undergo stringent manufacturing processes and independent third-party testing, making them ideal partners for companies aiming to implement ESG principles.
At this semiconductor exhibition, Taiwanese companies once again showcased their prowess on the international stage. It is crucial not to underestimate any aspect of the manufacturing process; precision technology arises from meticulous details. The use of disposable gloves has become essential in daily life post-COVID-19, serving a wide range of applications. While protecting human health, these gloves also need to consider the survival of our flora and fauna. By integrating technology into healthy living environments and preserving ecological harmony to prevent global warming, companies can strive for true ESG core values and move toward the sustainable development goal of net-zero carbon emissions.
