National Formosa University Advances Aerospace and Agri-Food Industries to Create New Value Across Industrial Supply Chains 

Leveraging Regional Strengths to Develop Key Industries
National Formosa University (NFU), formerly known as National Huwei Institute of Technology, has a long-standing reputation for excellence in engineering education. Located in Yunlin County, one of Taiwan's leading agricultural regions, the university is uniquely positioned to integrate engineering expertise with agricultural innovation.

When establishing its Innovation and Incubation Center, NFU strategically focused on two rapidly growing sectors: the aerospace carbon fiber industry and the agri-food value chain. By integrating resources from academia, industry, and government, the university has successfully promoted industrial collaboration and strengthened the competitiveness of these key sectors.

Agri-Food Innovation: Creating Value from Local Agriculture to Global Markets
Yunlin County is home to numerous agricultural processing businesses producing products such as soy sauce and condensed milk. Facing changing market conditions and economic fluctuations, these companies have sought innovative ways to enhance product value.

Through the application of High Pressure Processing (HPP) technology, NFU has helped manufacturers significantly improve product quality and market competitiveness. One notable achievement includes assisting fresh juice producers in entering major retail and food service channels such as 7-Eleven, Costco, McDonald's, and Starbucks, demonstrating the effectiveness of industry-academia collaboration in creating value within the agri-food sector.

In addition, the Innovation and Incubation Center has supported local companies through technology transfer and resource integration, enabling high-quality Taiwanese food products to reach international markets. One outstanding example is Chuang Li Mei Co., Ltd., which, under NFU's guidance, grew from a small startup into a company with 45 employees and annual revenue exceeding NT$30 million, successfully expanding its products into Southeast Asian markets.

Aerospace Development: Technological Innovation and Supply Chain Integration
NFU has also achieved remarkable success in the aerospace industry. The university successfully developed a 100% domestically designed and manufactured low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite, demonstrating its technological capabilities in advanced aerospace engineering.

Leveraging its expertise in carbon fiber technology, NFU supports applications ranging from unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to aerospace equipment. The Innovation and Incubation Center has also assisted manufacturers in transitioning from thermoset composite materials to thermoplastic composites, reducing production costs while supporting ESG and sustainability objectives.

Furthermore, the Center actively shares research and development risks with startups, helping reduce financial burdens and accelerating the growth of Taiwan's aerospace supply chain. A notable example involves a traditional pencil manufacturer that successfully transformed its products through carbon fiber technology under NFU's technical guidance, ultimately becoming an OEM supplier for the luxury brand Montblanc.

Faculty and Student Entrepreneurship: A Successful Model of Industry-Academia Collaboration
NFU is committed to fostering entrepreneurship by integrating interdisciplinary faculty expertise and providing comprehensive support in technology development, intellectual property protection, business planning, and financial consulting.

One successful example is Hao Juen Technology Co., Ltd., founded by Dr. Wang Yi-Hong, a graduate of NFU's doctoral program in the Department of Power Mechanical Engineering. Built upon technologies developed within NFU's research laboratories and supported through funding from Taiwan's Ministry of Economic Affairs, the company has achieved remarkable success in commercializing silicon carbide drilling tools and customized bicycle chainrings for international markets.

Collaborative Innovation: Building a Thriving Industrial Ecosystem
According to Director Tu Kuang-Yi, today's highly competitive industrial environment requires collaboration rather than isolated competition. By integrating resources across academia, industry, and government, organizations can work together to overcome market challenges and create sustainable growth opportunities.

Beyond supporting startup development, NFU is dedicated to building a vibrant innovation ecosystem by connecting businesses across different industrial sectors and fostering mutually beneficial partnerships.

Looking Ahead: Advancing Industry-Academia Collaboration
The achievements of NFU's Innovation and Incubation Center reflect not only the dedication of its faculty and students but also the tremendous value of industry-academia collaboration.

Moving forward, National Formosa University will continue focusing on its two strategic pillars—aerospace engineering and agri-food innovation—while integrating cutting-edge technologies and collaborative resources to create greater value for Taiwan's industrial ecosystem and contribute to a more innovative and sustainable future.

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