Green Business and Circular Economy Are Key to Unlock a Future of Sustainable Growth

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Jun-Jer Liao, CEO of Group Resource Cycling Business, CTCI

In a world gripped by sustainability, a key driver for national and business growth lies in seeking a greener model and taking part in the circular economy. We see nations and companies around the world leveraging innovative technologies or adapting their business models with the hope to transform waste into valuable resources or improve resource efficiency. This is an important step toward meeting the 2050 net-zero goal while maintaining corporate profitability. Keeping this line of thought, I’d like to highlight in this article what ECOVE—the brand name for CTCI’s Group Resource Cycling Business—has done so far to seize emerging opportunities and achieve sustainable growth. Discussion centers on ECOVE’s four main businesses: energy-from-waste, resource cycling and recovery, renewable energy, and electrical mechanical services for advanced technology and infrastructural facilities.  Drawing on over 20 years of experience and achievements in circular economy, ECOVE is committed to becoming “the most reliable and leading resource cycling service provider.” 

Enhancing Resource Management to Improve EfW Plant Operations

ECOVE is Taiwan’s leading resource management company, currently operating 11 EfW (energy-from-waste) plants nationwide. As Taiwan’s only company offering end-to-end waste handling services—which covers waste collection, transportation, recycling and reuse, EfW, and final disposal—ECOVE enjoys over 50% share of waste processing capacity among all private large-scale EfW plants across the island, treating approximately 2.5 million tons of waste and generating 1.52 billion kWh electricity annually. In this regard, ECOVE plays crucial role in regional waste handling. 

As a reliable O&M service provider, ECOVE joins forces with its parent group CTCI, which specializes in engineering, procurement, and construction services, to take part in new EfW plant construction projects, as well plant retrofitting/upgrade projects. These include:
･Chiayi Green Energy Sustainable Circulation Center BOT Project, which adopts cutting-edge pollution prevention and energy recovery technologies.
･Taitung County EfW Center O&M Project.
･Changbin Low-Carbon Recycling and Disposal Center (environmental impact assessment in progress).
･Melaka EfW O&M project, which is carried out in partnership with overseas firms.

As ECOVE’s O&M contracts with some of the EfW plants in Taiwan approach expiry, it’ll seek contract renewals by leveraging its proven track record. Internationally, the company will try to establish market presence in the Southeast Asian and Indian markets by working with local partners and offering them technical services. On the other hand, ECOVE will continue to draw on its professional electrical mechanical expertise as well as Xizhou and Gangshan EfW O&M successes in keeping every EfW plants in top shape and extend asset lifespan.

Maximizing Resource Value through Recycling and Recovery

A key to achieving zero-waste across industries lies in maximizing the value of every bit of resource. Armed with extensive experience in wastewater and waste solvent recovery, ECOVE continues to help clients build advanced zero-waste centers and contribute to sustainable development.

Speaking of water resource management, climate change-induced water scarcity has heightened the importance of stable water supply for industrial development. ECOVE is an expert in water treatment, long responsible for operating multiple wastewater treatment and water reclamation plants in Taiwan, including the world’s first water reclamation plant that regenerates industrial wastewater and reuses it for the semiconductor process: the STSP Water Reclamation Plant.

Currently, ECOVE processes 32 million tons of wastewater and produces 63 million tons of reclaimed water annually. More recently, ECOVE tapped into seawater desalination, winning the O&M contract for the Hsinchu Desalination Plant, which is scheduled to begin operations in 2028. ECOVE will strategically partner with EPC service provider CTCI and go after end-to-end business opportunities related to water reclamation plants and water desalination plants across Taiwan, such as investment, construction, and operation.  

Water reclamation aside, ECOVE specializes in waste solvent recovery for the high-tech industry, enhancing resource efficiency through upcycling. ECOVE is able to purify waste isopropanol to 99.9% industrial-grade purity level, and continues to research and develop methods that could help it reach electronic-grade purity level (≥99.95%), which is no small feat but highly valuable. The company has even utilized such technology and helped semiconductor clients build their on-site waste solvent recovery facilities, converting waste into reusable products. It is using the syngas formed by cracking high-organic waste liquids as heat supply for the production process, effectively turning waste into resources and energy.

Currently, ECOVE recycles about 16,000 tons of waste solvents annually, producing 4,600 tons of industrial-grade solvents and reducing 4,700 tons of carbon emissions. On-site recycling at client fabs enables an additional 39,000 tons of solvent recovery each year. Going forward, ECOVE will expand its proven model in Taiwan to overseas markets—including the US, Japan, Germany, and Korea—alongside its semiconductor clients, delivering localized cross-border services.

Generating Green Force for Growth and Net Zero Emissions by Setting Foot in Renewable Energy

Renewable energy is central to achieving net zero emissions. ECOVE has made solid presence in this field, having developed and owned about 166 MW in installed capacity of solar power plants both domestically and internationally—including 110 MW that are grid-connected and 56 MW under construction. ECOVE’s solar power O&M projects amount to 485 MW, generating 130 million kWh annually and reducing 60,000 tons of carbon emissions. Additionally, ECOVE has integrated solar PV systems into EfW plants for self-consumption. These projects have begun commercial operation, allowing ECOVE to obtain 400,000 kWh in terms of renewable energy certificates and helping the company diversify its green energy service offerings.

The demand for renewable energy and storage solutions will continue to rise due to power-heavy corporate consumers and the drive behind RE100 initiative. In Taiwan, ECOVE will expand its portfolio at a steady pace. Overseas, given ECOVE’s track record with the Lumberton Solar Power Plant in the US, the company will carefully evaluate the impact of the US’s One, Big, Beautiful Bill Act and prioritize investment opportunities in standalone power storage facilities as well as solar power plants nearing completion or in operation, ensuring agile and precise alignment with the energy transition trends.

Unlocking Green Business Opportunities for Sustainable Growth

From resource management, resource recovery to renewable energy, ECOVE’s businesses align closely with global sustainability imperatives and have garnered widespread recognition, including Top 5% in Corporate Governance Evaluation for 11 consecutive years; being selected as a 2025 S&P Global’s Sustainability Yearbook Member, as well as an Industry Mover. These honors affirm ECOVE’s role as both a pioneer of green business opportunities and a practitioner of CTCI Group’s ESG vision—a “Guardian of Sustainable Earth.”

Amid both challenges and opportunities, ECOVE remains committed to the maxim “Every Resource Counts.” With strong technical capabilities and the parent group CTCI’s EPC expertise, it will continue to expand global opportunities in green, low-carbon, and circular economy sectors, advancing toward a more sustainable and prosperous future.