Yunlin County is actively promoting the full circular utilization of pineapple by‑products. Today (17th), County Magistrate Chang Li‑Shan led Director Li Ming‑Yueh of the Planning Department and Director Chen Chi‑Yu of the Information Office, together with Chairman Huang Wei‑Teng of the Yongxing Fruit and Vegetable Production Cooperative of Yunlin County, Professor Lo Chao‑Tsuen of National Formosa University, Dr. Lo Chao‑Chun of the Industrial Technology Research Institute, Director Lin Chien‑Min of the Textile Research Institute, and County Councilor Lai Ming‑Yuan, to conduct an on‑site inspection of the “Agricultural Residual Materials Circular Utilization Site.” The delegation gained first‑hand insight into the technologies for reusing pineapple leaves and stems, as well as the construction progress and outcomes of the facility. Through guided tours and process briefings, participants comprehensively reviewed advancements in the high‑value utilization of agricultural residual materials, showcasing Yunlin County’s concrete actions in promoting the circular economy and sustainable agriculture.
The “Agricultural Residual Materials Circular Utilization Site” inspected today is jointly promoted and implemented by the Yongxing Fruit and Vegetable Production Cooperative of Yunlin County and National Formosa University, with funding jointly provided by the Agriculture and Food Agency of the Ministry of Agriculture and the Yunlin County Government. The site and its equipment have been completed and entered the trial operation phase. Test operations are scheduled to begin in May, with full operation expected by July.
County Magistrate Chang Li‑Shan stated that as a major agricultural county, Yunlin generates a large volume of agricultural residual materials each year. If not properly managed, these materials not only impose an environmental burden but also lead to the loss of potential value. In recent years, the Yunlin County Government has been committed to sustainable agriculture, net‑zero carbon reduction, and circular economic reuse. Since 2023, the county has collaborated with National Formosa University, the Industrial Technology Research Institute, the Textile Research Institute, and local cooperatives to promote the circular utilization of pineapple residual materials. Through the signing of multiple memorandums of understanding, a circular application system spanning from agricultural production to industrial utilization has been gradually established, transforming agricultural waste into resources with economic value.
This on‑site inspection focused on the integrated system achievements of the circular utilization facility. Demonstrations included key processes such as plant fiber extraction, microwave drying, crushing and refinement, fermentation processing, and storage applications. Processed pineapple leaves can be transformed into plant fibers for textile use, while remaining residues can be converted into silage feed or micronized materials. Pineapple stems can be used to extract high‑purity enzymes applicable to the food, pharmaceutical, and biotechnology sectors. This fully illustrates a “zero‑waste” circular economy model and reduces the need for waste treatment and disposal.
County Magistrate Chang emphasized that through circular economic reuse, pineapple leaves and stems can be transformed into everyday products such as clothing, socks, and towels. Through close collaboration among industry, government, academia, and research institutions—particularly the dedication of Chairman Huang Wei‑Teng of the Yongxing Cooperative, who invested significant resources and over two and a half years of effort—the “Agricultural Residual Materials Circular Utilization Site” has finally achieved initial results. To address the labor‑intensive and costly challenges of field collection at the upstream stage, the Yunlin County Government will fully support mechanized harvesting and the establishment of leaf‑separation machinery. The county also calls for close cooperation between central and local governments to ensure that pineapple by‑product circular utilization truly contributes to net‑zero carbon reduction in daily life.
Secretary Lin Shih‑Mei of the Climate Change Response Project Office noted that Yunlin County generates approximately 2,000 tons of pineapple‑related residual materials annually, which were previously mostly buried or composted. By introducing circular economy concepts through this project and establishing a one‑stop resource utilization model, environmental burdens are effectively reduced while creating new industrial value and development opportunities for agriculture.
Planning Department Director Li Ming‑Yueh stated that this on‑site inspection not only allowed the county to assess progress but also helped identify implementation challenges. For the automated pineapple leaf harvesting equipment and stem‑leaf separation machinery required by the project, the county will continue to integrate resources from central and local governments as well as technical institutions to lower operating costs and enhance market competitiveness. Through the expansion of this circular economy model, Yunlin aims to drive agricultural transformation and upgrading, steadily advancing toward the vision of “Happy Yunlin, Sustainable Future.”
Sources: Yunlin County Government
