Taiwan Textile Research Institute
{{Infobox institute
| name = Taiwan Textile Research Institute
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| established = 1959
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| focus = Textiles research and industry support
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| staff = 300
| key_people = Huang Po-hsiung (general secretary)
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| city = Taipei
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| country = Taiwan
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The Taiwan Textile Research Institute is a government funded research institute in Taiwan (ROC) which supports the textile industry in Taiwan.
History
TTRI was founded in 1959.{{cite web |title=Taiwan Textile Research Institute |url=https://apceroundtable.com/en/sponsor/taiwan-textile-research-institute/ |website=apceroundtable.com |publisher=Asia Pacific Circular Economy Roundtable |accessdate=9 December 2019}} After the normalization of relations with the People’s Republic of China much of Taiwan’s textile industry wither shifted production or went out of business. According to TTRI data in 1997 there were 7,752 textile companies in Taiwan, but by 2010 there were only 4,299.{{cite news |last1=Yang |first1=Lin |title=Textile Makers in Taiwan Create a High-Tech Niche |work=The New York Times |date=12 December 2012 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/13/business/global/textile-makers-in-taiwan-create-a-high-tech-niche.html?mtrref=www.google.com&assetType=REGIWALL |accessdate=9 December 2019}}
In the 21st century the institute has supported the shift of Taiwan’s textile industry towards technical textiles, a global market which Taiwan had captured 70% of by 2018.{{cite web |last1=Kastner |first1=Jens |title=Pivoting to Technical Textiles |url=https://topics.amcham.com.tw/2018/11/pivoting-to-technical-textiles/ |website=topics.amcham.com.tw |date=20 November 2018 |publisher=The American Chamber of Commerce |accessdate=8 December 2019}} The institute has also supported the development of sustainable textiles.{{cite web |last1=Zoe Suen |first1=Casey Hall and |title=Sustainable Fashion Hubs Rise in Hong Kong and Taipei |url=https://www.businessoffashion.com/articles/professional/sustainable-fashion-hubs-rise-hong-kong-taipei |website=www.businessoffashion.com |publisher=Business of Fashion |accessdate=9 December 2019}} In 2019 TTRI employed 300 professionals, two thirds of whom hold advanced degrees.{{cite web |last1=Su |first1=Lynn |title=A "Silicon Valley" for Textiles |url=https://www.taiwan-panorama.com/en/Articles/Details?Guid=817a26cc-763e-454a-982f-d4cad7993f11&CatId=9 |website=www.taiwan-panorama.com |publisher=Taiwan Panorama |accessdate=9 December 2019}}
Research
In 2019 the institute developed an air jet weaving machine.{{cite web |last1=Lan |first1=Korbin |title=R&D 100 Awards – Taiwanese Science and Technology Project Wins Five Grand Prizes |url=https://en.ctimes.com.tw/DispNews.asp?O=HK3B4BWEEAESAA00NT |website=en.ctimes.com.tw |publisher=CTimes |accessdate=8 December 2019}} In partnership with National Taiwan University of Science and Technology (NTUS) and Taiwan Yingmi Technology TTRI has worked to develop gloves which can translate sign language.{{cite web |last1=Lin |first1=Judy |title=Thumbs up! Taiwan team develops sign language translator |url=https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3178045 |website=www.taiwannews.com.tw |date=2 June 2017 |publisher=Taiwan News |accessdate=8 December 2019}} Taiwan Textile Research Institute (TTRI) is working with Taiwan based Niching to develop a range of abrasion-resistant fabrics for use in socks and workwear.{{cite web |last1=Carp |first1=Belinda |title=TITAS 2019 focuses on sustainability and innovation |url=https://www.innovationintextiles.com/titas-2019-focuses-on-sustainability-and-innovation/ |website=www.innovationintextiles.com |publisher=Innovation in Textiles |accessdate=8 December 2019}}
Notable researchers and staff
- Peter Tsai, inventor of the N95 mask{{cite web |last1=Hsu |first1=Phoenix |last2=Mazzetta |first2=Matthew |title=Taiwanese inventor of N95 mask returns to work amid COVID-19 pandemic |url=https://focustaiwan.tw/sci-tech/202004230007 |website=focustaiwan.tw |publisher=Focus Taiwan |accessdate=23 April 2020}}