AI Net-Zero: Taimou Leverages Hanshine Energy and Semiconductor Waste as Dual Growth Engines, Plans IPO in July

AI Net-Zero Special Report (300 articles)

Digital transformation is already underway across industries, and artificial intelligence and net-zero carbon emissions are two major challenges facing governments and enterprises, crucial to Taiwan's future competitiveness. The Central News Agency's frontline reporting team provides in-depth coverage of how the government and various industries are leveraging AI to optimize production processes and drive green innovation, witnessing Taiwan's industries rise once again.

(CNA reporter Tseng Jen-kai, Taipei, June 23) Taimou Technology Materials, a professional waste treatment plant, has benefited from its subsidiary Hanshine Energy commencing commercial operations at the beginning of this year, along with increased demand for waste treatment driven by semiconductor clients advancing to more sophisticated manufacturing processes. Fueled by these two growth engines, Taimou achieved NT$684 million in revenue in the first five months of this year, representing over 70% year-on-year growth, and is scheduled to list on the stock exchange in late July.

Taimou Chairman Chen Li-li stated during a media briefing today that this year marks Taimou's growth year. In 2020, Taimou signed the 'Private Participation in High-Efficiency Waste Thermal Treatment Facility BOO Investment Project' with Hsinchu County Government. The subsidiary Hanshine Energy operates the county's only incinerator, converting waste into energy by generating electricity from the heat produced by incinerating garbage, with an annual output of approximately 150 million kWh available for sale.

Chen Li-li noted that Hanshine Energy began trial operations last year, initially incinerating 90,000 tons of garbage for Hsinchu County Government free of charge, which temporarily increased costs. However, starting this year, Hanshine Energy has officially commenced commercial operations, generating revenue not only from waste incineration but also from electricity sales, significantly boosting Taimou's operations. Taimou's net profit attributable to shareholders in the first quarter of this year reached NT$55.4 million, reversing a net loss of NT$40.88 million in the same period last year, achieving break-even with earnings per share of NT$0.59.

Chen Li-li added that there are currently about 26 municipal incinerators across Taiwan. Apart from the relatively new incinerators in Hsinchu County operated by Hanshine and the Rongding Incinerator in Taoyuan City, over 20 others have been operating for more than 20 years and are experiencing reduced efficiency. In the future, Taimou aims to leverage Hanshine's successful experience to pursue potential opportunities for operating more public incineration facilities.

On the other hand, Taimou itself holds a Class A waste treatment license. After years of experience and technological accumulation in waste treatment, it has successfully entered the semiconductor waste treatment and resource recovery service system. Nearly 80% of the parent company Taimou's revenue currently comes from semiconductor clients.

Taimou General Manager Chang Te-chun stated today that in recent years, AI has driven vigorous growth in Taiwan's semiconductor industry. As advanced manufacturing processes progress, the finer the process nodes, the more etching and cleaning cycles are required, or more specialized chemicals are used, increasing the demand for related waste treatment.

Chang Te-chun cited statistics from the Industrial Technology Research Institute's IEK Consulting, noting that a traditional 28-nanometer process generates approximately 40 kilograms of waste per wafer; at 3 nanometers, this figure increases to 5.6 times; and for the next-generation 2-nanometer process, it will reach 13 times. Taimou has already felt the surge in demand for semiconductor waste treatment.

Currently, Taimou's approved production capacity for distillation of specialty solvent waste is 2,880 tons per month. The company has already submitted an application to the Environmental Protection Bureau to increase processing capacity by 30%, expecting to obtain approval by the end of this year. This will add approximately 1,000 tons of monthly processing capacity, injecting new momentum into operations. (Editor: Chang Liang-chih) 1150623

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