【Article by IMES】
Taipei City, April 9, 2025 –IMES (International Master’s Program of  Applied Economy and Social Development) of National Chengchi University (NCCU) successfully hosted the Seminar on Sustainable Innovation on April 9, 2025, featuring distinguished speakers from the Foundation for Yunus Social Business Taiwan, PackAge+, and Escura. This seminar aimed to provide students with valuable insights into how innovation and sustainability can work hand-in-hand to shape a better future, in alignment with the design of the course Innovation Management and Digital Transformation.

Hosted by Professor Alicia Say, the event opened with a presentation by William Chiu, the Manager of the Yunus Social Business Taiwan Foundation. He introduced the foundation’s mission, highlighted its ongoing efforts to foster social entrepreneurship, and encouraged students to apply for the Taiwan Yunus Social Business Innovation Award, which is now open to international students. The foundation also introduced the 2nd 3ZERO Doer Initiative, an online crowdfunding platform that unites passionate youth to tackle pressing social issues. The initiative embodies Professor Muhammad Yunus’s Three Zero Vision: Zero Net Carbon Emissions, Zero Poverty, and Zero Unemployment.

The second session featured Chris Chou, Chief Strategy Officer and Co-Founder of PackAge+, who shared his personal journey and the vision behind establishing a circular packaging company. PackAge+ is on a mission to reduce environmental damage caused by single-use packaging. Their innovative 'Package as a Service (PaaS)' model enables over 50 reuse cycles per package, resulting in a 50% reduction in CO₂ emissions and significant cost savings. With over 150 clients, including major brands like TSMC and Shopee, PackAge+ has developed a network of return points across Taiwan, including convenience stores and cafes. Serving both B2B and B2B2C sectors, the company is now expanding into the East Asian market. The system also incorporates logistics, cleaning, and data tracking, allowing brands to measure their environmental impact, which is valuable for ESG reporting and sustainability marketing.

Closing the seminar was a presentation by Wayne Huang, Chief Brand Officer of Escura, who began with a quiz to engage the audience and highlight the environmental issues associated with plastics and fast fashion. Escura specializes in sustainable textiles, particularly Lyocell, a regenerated fiber sourced from FSC-certified forests and manufactured using eco-friendly processes. ESCURA developed the innovative 33°C Thermal Regulating Base Layer using award-winning Lyocell fibers and patented German technology. Fully biodegradable and smart in temperature regulation, it earned the 2024 Good Design Award from the Japan Institute of Design Promotion. Made from FSC-certified sustainable fibers and infused with Smartcel zinc oxide, it also provides deodorizing, antibacterial, soothing, and UV-protective benefits. Despite its higher price point, Escura aims to position itself as a premium, sustainable alternative to fast fashion by emphasizing comfort, durability, and ecological value. Escura’s success includes co-branding collaborations, educational programs, and over NT$10 million raised through crowdfunding. By integrating technology from Austria, Germany, and Taiwan, Escura produces innovative, functional textiles that have gained attention in economic media reports. The presentation concluded with a call for greater self-sufficiency in Taiwan’s forestry sector, which currently has a 60% forest coverage but only 1% timber self-sufficiency. This urgent issue further underscores Taiwan’s need to embrace sustainable innovation.

Sustainable innovation emphasizes the positive social impact, putting together the care for environment and social welfare in business establishment. As a token of gratitude, Professor Alicia Say presented certificates of appreciation to all three speakers, followed by a group photo session with students, marking a meaningful end to a day full of learning, inspiration, and innovative spirit.