The ingenuity of Taiwan’s textile industry has taken center stage at the World Cup in Brazil. Ten nations have been sporting kits made in Taiwan out of recycled materials.
In a June 25 article, a French daily, Le Figaro, said it only takes an average of eight plastic bottles to make one jersey. In addition to being lighter and more absorbent than cotton, the innovative fabric consumes less energy to produce. The paper said that Taiwan has already won its own World Cup with its innovative textile products.
FIFA estimates that profits generated by the 2014 World Cup will be over US$40 billion. Considering that the garment industry is one of the main beneficiaries, Taiwanese companies have really won big at the event.