Shaping Global Sustainability Through Innovation in Resource Efficiency

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Jun-Jer Liao, CEO of Group Resource Cycling Business

In response to global climate change, practicing the circular economy and enhancing resource efficiency have become important solutions for achieving the Net-Zero emission goal. CTCI Group has always seen becoming a “Guardian of Sustainable Earth” as its mission. ECOVE Corp., a CTCI company and part of the Group's Resource Recycling Business, is committed to its four lines of businesses: waste management, renewable energy, recycling and reuse, and electromechanical maintenance. ECOVE continues to elevate the efficiency of circular operations, putting the mantra “Every Resource Counts” into practice.

Devoted to Resource Management: Boosting Efficiency with Technology

ECOVE is a leading provider in the domestic resource management market, offering clients comprehensive one-stop services that cover upstream waste collection and recycling, incineration treatment, and downstream final disposal. The company provides Operation & Maintenance (O&M) services for 11 energy-from-waste (EfW) plants, operating 9 municipal EfW facilities domestically while successfully expanding its reach abroad with 2 EfW plants in Macau. By handling waste for clients in both the private and public sectors, ECOVE converts waste into power, creating additional value. Recently, ECOVE has invested in next-generation Energy Resource Centers, incorporating energy-efficient technologies to upgrade older plants. Using IoT and Cloud Management, ECOVE enhances transparency and control in waste disposal and flow, significantly boosting operational performance. In 2024, ECOVE processed 2.79 million tons of waste and generated 1.6 billion kWh of power, equivalent to the carbon absorption of 2,049 Daan Forest Parks. The electricity generated per ton of waste increased by 3% compared to last year, underscoring ECOVE's commitment to sustainable development.

In terms of business expansion, ECOVE and its parent company, CTCI Corp., have secured the contract for the Chiayi EfW Plant BOT project, which is currently in the design phase. Meanwhile, the Changhua Coastal Industrial Park Resource Recycling Center is undergoing an environmental impact assessment. Internationally, ECOVE has partnered with a Malaysian company to secure the Best Applicant qualification for the Melaka project. Once the project is built and the Investment Agreement is signed with the government, ECOVE will contribute to its operations.

Expanding Services and Seizing Opportunities in Renewable Energy

Given the rapid expansion of the global renewable resource market over the years, the International Energy Agency (IEA) has predicted that the demand for solar photovoltaics (PV) will grow significantly in the coming years, becoming a major source of energy supply. ECOVE has long been dedicated to the construction and operation of solar PV plants. With its expansion into solar PV services from Taiwan to the U.S., ECOVE now fully owns and manages over a hundred solar PV plants, making it one of the few companies in Taiwan capable of providing one-stop services, from investment and development to construction and management.

A global trend in energy storage is the development of green energy solutions. ECOVE has continued to expand its services in the energy storage sector, such as the 5MW energy storage system at the Nantou Industrial Area, which is part of the automatic frequency control services for Taiwan Power Company. In response to the rise of electric vehicles, ECOVE has also developed a solar power charging and storage system that integrates solar power generation, energy storage, and charging stations. By introducing smart parking and various other features, this system enables efficient intelligent management and green energy applications, making it a highly promising integrated model.

Currently, ECOVE’s total installed photovoltaic (PV) capacity has reached 157 MW, while its total maintained capacity stands at 479 MW, including 17 MW of renewable energy transferred under a corporate power purchase agreement (CPPA). ECOVE continues to expand its international presence, with the second-phase expansion project of its wholly-owned Lumberton plant in New Jersey already approved by the state government. Additionally, ECOVE is actively seeking and evaluating new investment opportunities in other locations, such as Texas and California.

Maximizing Resource Value Through Improved Recycling and Reuse Strategies

A crucial aspect for companies developing their sustainability initiatives is striking a balance between economic growth and environmental development while maximizing resource value. The two major business lines that ECOVE has promoted in the recycling and reuse sector are waste solvent treatment, which arises from the development of the high-tech industry, and the recycling and reuse of water resources.

In the area of waste solvent recycling and reuse, ECOVE specializes in the recycling and reuse of waste isopropanol (IPA), having obtained multiple patents in Taiwan and the United States. The process can concentrate IPA to 99.9% purity or even higher, successfully enhancing product value. Currently, after obtaining approval for reuse from the National Science and Technology Council and the Ministry of Economic Affairs, the capacity utilization rate has reached full capacity. Looking ahead, ECVOE will continue to focus on the development of electronic-grade products to facilitate their use in high-tech processes, particularly in relation to Edge Bead Remover (EBR) applications. At the same time, ECOVE is actively collaborating with academic institutions to develop electronic-grade reuse technology for spent edge solvents, aiming to provide a more diverse range of services.

In terms of water resource, the government has opened numerous business opportunities for climate change adaptation. Leveraging over 40 years of experience in turnkey water resource services from its parent company, CTCI, ECOVE has created an integrated service model that includes subsequent operational support. The scope of services has expanded from treating industrial wastewater and urban sewage to include wastewater reuse in the high-tech electronics sector and seawater desalination. ECOVE currently operates several water reclamations plants, including those at Southern Taiwan Science Park, Fengshan Linhai, Taoyuan North District, Taoyuan Zhongli Sewerage System, Linkou, and Pingtung Agricultural Science Park, as well as 12 gravel filter projects in Yingge, Sanxia, and Jinshan. Recently, it also secured the Hsinchu Seawater Desalination Plant, with a production capacity of 100,000 tons per day. By executing these projects, ECOVE not only protects hydrological and ecological environments but also generates reclaimed and desalinated water for industrial use, helping industries mitigate the impacts of extreme weather.

Revolutionizing Electromechanical Maintenance Through Intelligent Management

Electromechanical maintenance and rectification can extend the lifespan of equipment and enhance its operational efficiency. Over the years, ECOVE has continuously provided electromechanical maintenance and rectification services to clients across various sectors. Recent achievements include: the establishment of a waste solvent energy resource integration system and its O&M and product sales for an international semiconductor manufacturer; the expansion of a waste solvent recovery system for an international memory manufacturer; maintenance projects for public utilities of a global high-tech equipment provider; and performance improvement and replacement projects for several energy resource centers (such as those at Taoyuan International Airport, Southern Taiwan Science Park, Gangshan, and Xizhou).

In the future, ECOVE will continue to pioneer electromechanical maintenance services that integrate green and smart technologies. This includes employing advanced recycling and reuse technologies to establish waste recycling facilities and utilizing intelligent management to upgrade and maintain energy resource center equipment, thereby extending their lifespan.

Pioneering the Way to Sustainability

Embracing the global trend of sustainability initiatives and the 2050 Net-Zero Carbon Emission Goal, ECOVE completed its overall Carbon Footprint Verification (CFV) in 2023 and has since moved on to conduct CFV for multiple Energy Resource Centers. Based on the verification results, ECOVE is actively improving its production processes to lower its carbon footprint, verified with a carbon reduction label. Meanwhile, ECOVE will fulfill its responsibility as a 'Guardian of Sustainable Earth' and continue to enhance its four lines of business while exploring new markets to expand its core business. It strives to become a premium brand in the field of the circular economy, pioneering the path to sustainability.