UHT Unitech Company has leased an 8,760 square meters factory area in Caotun, Nantou, expanding its carbon fiber composite material layout. UHT has decided to invest NT$500 million in renovating the Nantou factory and purchasing equipment. The renovation is scheduled to be completed by the end of April, with equipment installation in May-June, and sample production trials in July. The main focus will be on thermoplastic carbon fiber materials, targeting the aerospace, high-speed rail, and electric vehicle markets.
UHT's latest operational focus has shifted from carbon fiber production equipment and yarn production to becoming an aerospace thermoplastic carbon fiber composite material plant. The Nantou factory is expected to start trial production this year, aggressively pursuing post-pandemic aerospace recovery opportunities.
UHT is focusing on carbon fiber composite materials, primarily recyclable thermoplastic composites, rather than traditional non-recyclable thermoset composites. UHT's thermoplastic composites use advanced aerospace-grade resins rather than general engineering resins, targeting the aerospace market and other high-end applications.
Chairman James Wu, stated that the Nantou factory is currently the only manufacturing site in Taiwan capable of producing aerospace-grade thermoplastic carbon fiber composites. These materials are not only lightweight and strong but also environmentally friendly due to their recyclability. The company has already gained support from major international aerospace manufacturers.
UHT has established a professional carbon fiber composite team, focusing on key technologies such as carbon fiber aerospace resin impregnation and high-temperature energy-saving special pressing. The Nantou factory's production line is expected to complete its first phase of capacity planning by July. When fully operational, the production line is projected to generate annual revenue of NT$1.5 billion. The company has already secured potential customers.
UHT's entry into aerospace-grade thermoplastic carbon fiber prepreg materials and thermoset carbon fiber prepreg materials offers advantages such as long-term room temperature storage without freezing, semi-automated continuous production efficiency, and the ability to recycle carbon fiber scraps, providing overall cost benefits.
Chairman James Wu mentioned that with the global trend towards ESG sustainable development, the company has transformed its business model to focus on thermoplastic carbon fiber aerospace-grade composite materials. It has become Taiwan's only and one of the few specialized OEM manufacturers in the Asia-Pacific region. The company collaborates with well-known international material suppliers to develop high-performance carbon fiber prepregs, large-size carbon fiber plates, and multi-angle welded carbon fiber prepreg tapes. These can be used in aircraft interior composite components, secondary composite structural parts for aircraft, hydrogen tanks for new energy vehicles, and high-speed rail interior components.