ESG
Honors and Achievements
UKL's sustainability achievements have earned numerous domestic and international accolades, including the DBS Foundation Asia Impact Award (2022), the Taiwan Sustainable Action Award, the Taiwan Excellence Award, the iF Red Dot Design Award, and B Corp certification in 2024. Its private brand EVOPURE+'s pineapple leaf fiber application series also received the 2025 Taiwan Excellence Award.
Certifications and Green Power Commitments
B Corp Certification
UKL officially obtained B Corp Certification in January 2024, becoming a member of the B Corp community . This certification acknowledges UKL's high standards in social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability . As one of Taiwan's few textile manufacturing-focused B Corps, UKL joins other purpose-driven enterprises in striving to create a positive impact on society and the environment.
Organizational Greenhouse Gas Inventory
UKL completed its ISO 14064-1:2018 organizational greenhouse gas inventory in 2022, with total emissions recorded at 134.887 tonnes of CO2e . This certification standard provides principles and requirements at the organizational level for the quantification and reporting of greenhouse gas emissions, helping companies measure, manage, and report their GHG emissions.
Product Carbon Footprint Verification
In February 2024, UKL's Pineapple Leaf Fiber (PALF) completed its ISO 14067:2018 product carbon footprint verification by BSI . The verification results show that the carbon footprint per kilogram of PALF is only 0.784 kg CO2e . This is significantly lower than other natural fibers, with cotton's carbon footprint being approximately twice as much, and flax's about ten times higher . PALF production does not incur additional carbon emissions, and there are no extra carbon equivalents during pineapple growth.
UL2809 Recycled Content Validation
UKL's products are currently undergoing UL2809 recycled content validation . UL2809 is a standard set by the American certification company UL, used to verify the recycled material content in products, including post-consumer, pre-consumer (post-industrial), closed-loop, or total recycled content . This validation helps substantiate claims of recycled content and prevents "greenwashing".
USDA BioPreferred Voluntary Certification Mark
UKL's Pineapple Leaf Fiber (PALF) has obtained the USDA BioPreferred certification mark . Managed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), this program aims to increase the development, purchase, and use of biobased products by providing renewable alternatives and reducing reliance on petroleum-based products . The label clearly indicates the percentage of biobased content in the product.
RE10x10 Green Power Declaration
UKL has signed the RE10x10 corporate green power declaration, committing to achieving 10% renewable electricity usage by 2025 . Notably, UKL already met this 10% green power commitment in 2024.
Sustainable Fashion and Environmental Commitment
EVOPURE+ Joins the "Sustainable Fashion Alliance"
In 2024, UKL's private brand EVOPURE+ officially became a member of the "Sustainable Fashion Alliance," further promoting the concept of sustainable fashion. Established in 2021, EVOPURE+ focuses on transforming local Taiwanese eco-friendly recycled materials into fashionable and well-designed apparel and accessories. Its product lines include:
REDAILY Collection
Utilizes fibers recycled from PET bottles, oyster shells, fishing nets, and discarded nylon threads.
OWNLIFE Collection
Uses fibers made from low-carbon agricultural waste, such as pineapple leaf fiber (PALF).
EVOPURE+'s products not only achieve environmental friendliness but also showcase unique Taiwanese characteristics. Gary Hsieh, Executive Vice President of UKL, pointed out that the textile industry is the second-largest carbon emitter globally. Therefore, the company is committed to promoting sustainable development through innovative technologies like pineapple leaf fiber, and expanding Taiwan's sustainable materials and concepts to the global market.
Innovative Application of Pineapple Leaf Fiber
In 2023, UKL successfully developed and mass-produced pineapple leaf fiber (PALF), initiating its application in various product designs and developments, and promoting it internationally. This groundbreaking eco-friendly textile material utilizes pineapple leaves, an agricultural by-product, transforming them into high-quality fiber yarns that not only reduce carbon footprint but also possess breathable, naturally antibacterial, and odor-resistant properties.
For every ton of pineapples produced, an average of 1.45 tons of pineapple leaves are generated. These leaves were historically disposed of by burning, but now their fibers can be extracted for textile use. In February 2024, UKL completed ISO14067 carbon footprint verification, showing that one kilogram of pineapple leaf has a carbon footprint of approximately 0.784 kg of CO2e, which is about one-tenth that of flax and one-fourth that of cotton.
Social Care and Volunteer Services
Participation in "Ai Chuan Xi Caregiver Alliance" Volunteer Services
From 2023 to 2024, UKL participated in volunteer services for the "Ai Chuan Xi Caregiver Alliance" for two consecutive years. This service aims to provide respite and support for long-term caregivers. For instance, UKL organized DIY weaving workshops for pineapple fiber bracelets for caregivers at Leshan, aiming to offer them moments of relaxation and healing amidst their busy schedules.
This initiative reflects UKL's commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), listing "diverse partnerships" as one of its three key sustainable development goals.
Future Outlook
UKL and its brand EVOPURE+ will continue to promote sustainable development, achieving the dual goals of environmental protection and social equity through innovative technologies and diverse collaborations. For example, on Earth Day 2025, EVOPURE+ collaborated with the Circular Taiwan Foundation to launch the "CC4CC Climate Change Circular T-shirt," which combines low-carbon materials with a Taiwan temperature barcode design, aiming to raise awareness of the climate crisis. UKL also actively collaborates with schools, integrating the pineapple leaf fiber (PALF) case into the "Sustainable Textbook SELECT 2025," demonstrating the practice of "Agriculture × Textile × Education" in the circular economy. They hope to further expand their influence through education and advocacy, allowing more people to understand the value of sustainable materials.