Source: China Textile Author:Liang Long
To inherit and carry forward the hardworking spirit of pioneers like Qian Zhiguang, who dedicated themselves to building China's textile industry, and to promote science and education for the sector's advancement, the "Qian Zhiguang Science and Technology Education Fund" was established in 1996. Since 1997, it has supported industry education and recognition initiatives. In May 2008, the Textile Light Science and Technology Education Foundation (hereinafter referred to as the Textile Light Foundation) was officially registered with the Ministry of Civil Affairs. That same year, it began funding the "Textile Light" China Textile Industry Federation Science and Technology Award (originally the China Textile Industry Association Science and Technology Award), established in 1978, covering award bonuses and operational expenses. This marked the beginning of a new philanthropic journey for "Textile Light" to illuminate the textile industry.
As of the end of 2023, over the past 15 years, the Textile Light Foundation has contributed more than 200 million yuan to industry-related public welfare initiatives. It has recognized numerous organizations and individuals for their outstanding contributions to technological innovation in the textile sector, funded applied research projects critical to the upgrading of the textile and apparel industry, and facilitated the widespread adoption of advanced technologies. Over the years, the Textile Light Foundation has become the most influential public welfare organization in the textile industry.
To highlight the Foundation's 15-year contributions to technological advancement in China's textile and apparel industry, the Textile Light Foundation and China Textile magazine jointly launched the Special Report on the 15th Anniversary of the Textile Light Foundation's Support for Industry Science and Technology Awards. This column features interviews with leaders of award-winning units, principal contributors, and project leads (including Sangma Scholars) of the "Textile Light" China Textile Industry Federation Science and Technology Award. Through their stories, the report showcases the Foundation's role in driving technological progress and talent development.
"I wish the Textile Light Science and Technology Education Foundation continued success in advancing textile technology innovation, contributing more wisdom and strength to the industry's prosperous development!"
--Chen Shaojun, Yoantion Industrial Inc.
On December 6, 2023, Chen Shaojun, Chairman of Yoantion Industrial Inc., proudly received the first prize of the 2023 "Textile Light" China Textile Industry Federation Science and Technology Progress Award at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing for the project "Key Technologies and Industrialization of High-Efficiency, Energy-Saving, and Digitalized Setting Machine Series Intelligent Equipment." This honor not only recognizes Yoantion Industrial's years of dedication to independent innovation but also celebrates its breakthroughs in high-end intelligent dyeing and finishing equipment.
Targeting Industry Pain Points
Accelerating Digital-Intelligent Transformation
"Setting is a critical step in dyeing and finishing, accounting for about 40% of total energy consumption in the process. However, only 30% of this energy is effectively utilized, with the rest wasted as exhaust heat, leading to significant energy loss and environmental pollution," said Chen Shaojun. "The motivation behind this project stemmed from our deep understanding of the industry's challenges. Only through technological innovation can we address these issues and drive green development."
Chen explained that the team faced multiple challenges during research. First, the heat and mass transfer mechanisms under multi-field coupling were highly complex, making modeling and regulation difficult. After repeated experiments and simulations, the team deciphered these mechanisms and developed a hybrid medium composite phase-change heat transfer control method. Second, optimizing equipment structures and parameters proved arduous. "To achieve the optimal design, we conducted extensive trials and data analysis, ultimately innovating a double-layer stenter machine and optimizing nozzle, flow channel, and chamber structures," he added.
Collaborating with Donghua University and Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Yoantion Industrial delved into theoretical research and practical applications. "The entire team worked tirelessly, often working overtime to test and debug. Sometimes, a single incorrect data point meant restarting an experiment," Chen recalled. "It was this perseverance that allowed us to overcome technical hurdles and achieve today's success."
"This honor has not only elevated Yoantion's brand reputation but also strengthened our competitiveness," Chen noted. The high-efficiency, energy-saving digital stenter machines have gained widespread market acclaim. "They have solidified our market share and opened new business opportunities." The project's industrialization has delivered significant economic and social benefits, laying a foundation for sustainable development. By drastically reducing energy consumption and emissions, this innovation has propelled green and intelligent manufacturing in the textile dyeing industry, enhancing overall technical capabilities and competitiveness.
Increasing R&D Investment
Supporting Sustainable Industry Development
"Despite ongoing challenges, the dyeing and finishing industry must accelerate innovation and transition toward high-end, intelligent, digital, and green practices to achieve high-quality, sustainable growth," Chen emphasized. Future priorities include:
High-Efficiency Energy-Saving Technologies: Rising energy costs and environmental regulations necessitate continuous innovation to reduce consumption and emissions.
Intelligent-Digital Integration: Automation, smart controls, and digital simulations will boost efficiency and enable personalized textile production.
Eco-Friendly Technologies: Adopting pollution-reduction measures aligns with global sustainability demands and corporate responsibility.
Biotechnology Applications: Bio-enzymes for dyeing and finishing can improve product safety while minimizing environmental impact.
"To address the aforementioned priorities, Yoantion Industrial's future research directions and plans will focus on these areas for strategic development and challenges," Chen Shaojun explained. Moving forward, Yoantion Industrial will continue to deepen its research and development of high-efficiency energy-saving setting machines, enhancing their energy-saving performance and intelligent capabilities. Simultaneously, the company will advance new intelligent and digital technologies, such as intelligent control systems and big data analytics, to achieve comprehensive smart and digital transformation across production processes. Additionally, efforts will intensify in developing more efficient, intelligent, and environmentally friendly dyeing machines and other textile printing and dyeing equipment. "Furthermore, we will prioritize R&D in heat recovery and exhaust gas treatment technologies to establish a more robust environmental protection solution," he added.
