30-Second Overview
Chimei Corporation, founded by Xu Wen-Long in 1960, grew from a small factory in Tainan's Rende District into one of the world's top five ABS resin suppliers, with annual production capacity of 1 million tons. Their products are widely used in automotive, electronics, and appliance industries—your smartphone case might be made from Chimei materials. Xu Wen-Long also donated to establish the Chimei Museum, demonstrating the humanistic spirit and social responsibility of Taiwanese entrepreneurs.
An Outsider's Dream of Aircraft Glass
In 1960 Rende, Tainan, a 34-year-old man stood in the small factory he had just rented, holding technical documents brought back from Japan, his eyes sparkling with excitement. His name was Xu Wen-Long (許文龍), originally just a small business owner making plastic molds, now challenging a completely unfamiliar field—acrylic resin manufacturing.
The decision's origin was serendipitous. In 1959, Japan's Mitsubishi Chemical came to Taiwan to promote MMA monomer (raw material for making acrylic). At the time, no one in Taiwan understood this technology. But Xu Wen-Long keenly sensed an opportunity: MMA could make transparent aircraft glass panels and various clear products with enormous market potential.
The key was Xu Wen-Long's learning ability. He proactively traveled to Japan to study acrylic resin manufacturing technology, returned to Taiwan and learned while doing, and actually succeeded in building the factory. When Mitsubishi received photos of the factory that Xu Wen-Long proactively sent, they were amazed by this Taiwanese man's execution ability and decided to provide technical guidance and raw material supply.
Thus, "Chimei Industrial Corporation" was born, becoming Taiwan's first polymethyl methacrylate (acrylic) manufacturer. A chemical industry outsider, with keen business acumen and strong learning desire, opened a new chapter for Taiwan's polymer materials industry.
Technical Breakthroughs from Imitation to Innovation
Chimei's success wasn't accidental, but the embodiment of Xu Wen-Long's "technology-based enterprise" philosophy.
In the early 1960s, Taiwan's chemical technology almost entirely relied on imports. But Xu Wen-Long wasn't content to merely be a technology user; he wanted to become a technology creator. He invested substantial resources in building R&D teams, continuously improving production processes and enhancing product quality.
In the 1970s, Chimei began entering the ABS resin field. ABS is a high-performance engineering plastic widely used in automotive, electronics, and appliance industries. Xu Wen-Long saw this market's tremendous potential and decided to fully commit.
But ABS production technology was more complex than acrylic, requiring precise polymerization and modification techniques. Chimei's engineering teams spent years experimenting and adjusting, finally mastering key technologies. By the 1980s, Chimei's ABS product quality had reached international advanced levels.
More importantly, Chimei wasn't satisfied with imitation and began original R&D. They developed various specialized ABS materials meeting different customers' specific needs. This customization capability became Chimei's important advantage in fierce market competition.
A Global Top-Five Materials Empire
After over 60 years of development, Chimei has become one of Asia's largest ABS resin suppliers, with approximately 8-10% global market share, ranking in the top five.
Behind this achievement is Chimei's complete industrial chain layout. From Taiwan headquarters' R&D center to mainland China production bases to overseas factories in Texas, USA, Chimei established a globalized manufacturing service network. Annual production capacity reaches 1 million tons with over 2,000 product grades, covering almost all application areas.
Chimei's products are everywhere. The smartphone case in your hand, appliances in your home, and car parts on the road may all use Chimei materials. But you can't see or touch them because Chimei operates as an "invisible champion"—providing high-quality raw materials to other manufacturers.
Most admirable is Chimei's technical service capability. They don't just sell materials but provide complete solutions, from material design and processing applications to technical services, forming a complete value chain. This customer value-oriented business model keeps Chimei ahead in fierce competition.
Xu Wen-Long's Museum Dream
But what Xu Wen-Long is most celebrated for isn't his business achievements, but his humanistic spirit.
In 2015, the Chimei Museum, built with a NT$2 billion investment, officially opened, becoming a new Tainan landmark. This European classical-style building houses Xu Wen-Long's lifetime art treasures: from classical musical instruments to Western paintings, from animal specimens to weapon collections, everything imaginable.
Xu Wen-Long's museum dream stems from his life philosophy: "Making money isn't a company's purpose; giving back to society is its meaning." He believes entrepreneurs should shoulder more social responsibility, not just creating wealth but cultural value.
The Chimei Museum opens free to the public, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors annually. This isn't a commercial investment but pure social contribution. Xu Wen-Long proved through action that Taiwanese entrepreneurs can pursue commercial success while maintaining humanistic care and social responsibility.
Green Transformation for Sustainable Management
Facing global environmental trends, Chimei actively promotes green transformation.
Chimei developed various eco-friendly materials: recyclable plastics, bio-based materials, low-carbon footprint materials... These innovations not only meet environmental requirements but create new value for customers.
In production processes, Chimei continuously invests in environmental equipment, improving energy efficiency and reducing waste generation. They view "sustainable development" as a core corporate value, not passively complying with regulations but actively taking environmental responsibility.
More importantly, Chimei integrates circular economy concepts into their business model. They collaborate with upstream and downstream manufacturers to establish material recycling and reuse systems, achieving resource circulation. This innovative thinking helps traditional chemical industries find new directions on the sustainable development path.
Xingfu Philosophy in Corporate Culture
Chimei's corporate culture is deeply influenced by Xu Wen-Long's life philosophy, with the core being the "happiness" (Xingfu) concept.
Xu Wen-Long believes a company's purpose is to "make human life better." This isn't just a slogan but a practical management philosophy. Chimei provides high-quality material products, letting consumers enjoy better quality of life; Chimei creates stable employment opportunities, giving employees happy work lives; Chimei gives back to society, letting community members share corporate development benefits.
This "happiness philosophy" also manifests in employee management. Chimei's employee turnover rate is far below industry average, with many employees working at Chimei for decades since their youth. This stable team is an important foundation for Chimei's continued innovation and growth.
A Model for Taiwan's Chemical Industry
Chimei Corporation's success provides important insights for Taiwan's chemical industry.
First is the importance of technological innovation. Chimei emphasized R&D from the beginning, investing 3-4% of annual revenue in research and accumulating over 1,500 patent applications. This technology-oriented development strategy established Chimei's solid moat in the competitive chemical industry.
Second is the value of customer service. Chimei doesn't just sell products but provides complete technical solutions. This customer value-centered business model builds long-term partnerships between Chimei and clients.
Most importantly is practicing social responsibility. From Xu Wen-Long's museum construction to corporate environmental investments, Chimei demonstrates Taiwanese entrepreneurs' vision and spirit. This entrepreneurial spirit is Taiwan's most precious soft power.
Challenges and Opportunities for the Next 60 Years
Entering the 2020s, Chimei faces new challenges and opportunities.
The global chemical industry is undergoing profound transformation: raw material cost volatility, stricter environmental regulations, rising trade protectionism... These all test Chimei's adaptability.
But opportunities are equally clear. The rise of electric vehicle industries brings new demand for specialty materials; 5G communication proliferation creates new markets for high-performance materials; sustainability trends open new blue oceans for eco-friendly materials.
Chimei's response strategy is continued innovation: deepening high-performance materials technology, promoting digital transformation, strengthening sustainable development, and expanding emerging markets. These efforts have one goal: continuing to write Taiwan chemical industry success stories for the next 60 years.
From a small 1960 factory in Tainan's Rende to Asia's 2024 materials empire, Chimei Corporation proved one truth over 64 years: with correct philosophy, persistent determination, and innovative capability, Taiwanese enterprises can shine on the global stage.
Xu Wen-Long's story tells us that true entrepreneurs don't just pursue commercial success but shoulder social responsibility and create cultural value. This is Taiwan enterprises' most precious DNA.