About Us

Sustainable Materials Library (SML) was established by Plastics Industry Development Center in 2020 from the perspective on establishing a circular ecosphere in Taiwan and worldwide.

SML locates in Taichung, Taiwan and demonstrates sustainable materials which are classified into 7 categories of plastics, fibers, rubbers, metals, minerals, natural materials and others (recycling materials, adhesives, coating, additives etc.). Designers, product developers could see, touch and feel raw materials, secondary processing products or application prototypes and receive information of material properties and treatment in the library. Material suppliers could get closer to market demands for sustainable materials through this platform. For minimizing the limit on location and time, Small and Medium Enterprise and Startup Administration, Ministry of Economic Affairs funds to build SML online platform, a borderless sustainable materials database that provides information of materials, and furthermore, users could contact us through the platform for manufacturer matchmaking.

Sustainable Materials are broadly defined as materials that cause less harm to our environment and health during production, process of using and recycling and handling of end-of-life products. Three important features of sustainable materials are as below:
● Low hazards: low contents of heavy metals, plasticizer and pollutant emissions;
● Energy-saving: low carbon emissions, less materials wastage, lightweight, small volume, natural materials, low water consumption and durable materials;
● Easy to recycle: using single material, easy to be detached, efficient recycling system and degradable materials.

SML irregularly invites experts from different fields to hold workshops on international trade and seminars on industrial resources integration for spreading circular economic concepts. As an intermediary between product developers and material suppliers, SML platform provides materials-related services such as coming up with new circular design ideas, making prototypes and small‑batch production to strengthen the industrial chain of sustainable materials from the bottom up. SML moves forward together with Taiwan design and material industries to help small and medium enterprises bring circular economic ideas into reality.