Shinkong synthetic has currently two major production plants, one at chungli, the other at taoyuan, the chungli plant takes as its raw materials PTA and EG from the petrochemical industry, polymerization takes place in high-temperature, reactor vessels form which polyester polymer emerges as a paste, the paste can be cooled and cut into polyester chips for later processing or the melt is spun directly to produce the following products at the chungli plant.

    Polyester filament, which is a broad term covering pre-oriented yarn (or poy) and flat yarn, is characterized by its straightness and smoothness which make it ideal for use in synthetic fabrics, over 100,000 tons were produced by shinkong synthetic last year, 40% of chungli抯 poy is processed to 0produce textured yarn with enganced properties for the manufacture of woven and knitted fabrics, the remainder is sold to third parties, largely down-stream textile mills in taiwan, flat yarn is a higher specification filament, and is suitable for superfine denier and microfiber filament for use in high quality fabric and clothing. 20%of additional capacity for superfine denier and microfiber filament will be provided by the company抯 new plant at kuanyin, which is currently under construction and should be completed by the end of 1994.

    Polyester staple fibers is used in the manufacture of a wide range of products, from carpet pile to clothing when blended with cotton, wool or other fibers. It is also used extensively as a high-end filler for upholstery and ski-suits for example; the chungli plant produced over 100,000 tons of staple fiber last year.

    In addition to these direct spinning products, molten polyester can be cooled and cut into chips or pellets for reprocessing. Over 150,000 tons of polyester chips were produced at chungli last year. Of this, 18% was reprocessed into filament products while a further 37% was sold to third parties for reprocessing. The remainder of the polyester chips is processed into the following products.

    The majority of the polyester chip is used to produce polyester bottle resins, by a process of solid polymerization, for the manufacture of bottles and other containers and utensils the company抯 bottle resins under the shinpet brad-name gave passed the testing requirement of coca cola, pepsi cola and 7-up. Over 70,000 tons were produced last year, making it taiwan no.1 producer and putting shinkong synthetic in the top 5 worldwide. Bottle resins are a high margin product and as such accounted for nearly half of the company抯 profits last year. Futrher capacity for bottle resins will be added via a joint venture in Thailand