Innovation and R＆D

Innovation and R&D

Innovation is one of Acter’s core values. Through continuous R&D efforts, we differentiate ourselves and build competitive advantages by implementing smart engineering solutions and adopting innovative business mode. By integrating circular economy principles, we aim to minimize environmental impacts across the construction process. We strive to balance industrial development with environmental protection, fostering positive and lasting impacts on both human life and the natural ecosystem.

To maintain our competitive edge in innovation, Acter has launched the “Proposal Incentive Program” to encourage employees to proactively submit proposals for improvement and innovation. The program offers incentives for proposals that improve operational processes, quality control, and customer service, thereby driving innovation and enhancing R&D competitiveness. In addition, we work with clients and suppliers to establish a green supply chain, and partner with academic institutions to nurture future talent, demonstrating our steadfast commitment to innovation. In 2024, Acter invested a total of NTD361,457,000 in R&D, accounting for 1.19% of its total annual revenue.
 

Technology patent development
  • Analyze industry and technology trends to identify R&D items that can facilitate corporate or industrial development and have market value. Strategically deploy resources to continuously obtain patents for core engineering technologies.
Energy-saving technology development
  • Continue researching and developing engineering technology and products related to environmental protection. Enhance the energy efficiency of consumption products, integrate them with intelligent systems, and optimize control processes.
Biotechnology industry research
  • Engage in the development of innovative biotechnology pharmaceutical projects within the framework of SIA (System Impact Assessment) to ensure compliance with certification criteria and international accreditation standards.
Industry-academia cooperation and talent cultivation
  • Maintain collaborations with Taipei Tech, YunTech, NKUST, NCUT, and FCU to foster innovation breakthroughs.
  • In 2023, collaborated with Taipei Tech to develop the Digital Twin technology and its applications for HVAC systems using building information systems and simulation technology for research and technological advancement.
Expenditure Over the years (Unite: NTD1,000)

2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
R&D Expenditure 181,177 207,367 334,495 370,516 361,457
Proportion to Revenue 1.3％ 1.03％ 1.18％ 1.47％ 1.19％

Note:      To ensure consistency with the annual report, the R&D expenditure mainly comprises expenses derived from the Group’s development plan for special/innovative engineering methods, patent acquisitions, and academic research and development plans. Other engineering project improvements and participation in industry associations/organizations are disclosed in the chapters of the sustainability report.

Leading Technology

32patents

new patented technologies

(4 software copyrights)

28 patents

Cumulative development of
special/innovative engineering methods

The industry spans across ice storage and energy saving, high-rise buildings, biotechnology,
Green energy and clean room and other fields

Acter has been playing a pioneering role in the industry with our "multi-industrial, multi-disciplinary, and multi-regional" development strategy, while adhering to green engineering management principles. Through talent optimization techniques, we have helped customers accelerate the adoption of green engineering and promote eco-friendly concepts across the supply chain. Our aim is to exceed stakeholders' expectations while balancing economic, social, and environmental development to contribute to industrial progress.

In terms of professional skills, through the expansion of our high-tech business, we have analyzed our overall design abilities and project execution experiences to continuously improve professional design capabilities. During the construction phase, we have also applied 3D visualization and information technology simulation systems to optimize construction schedules and enhance engineering quality and efficiency. Up to 2024, Acter has cumulatively developed 32 special/innovative engineering methods, obtained 7 patented technologies, and secured 6 new development technologies.

List of special/innovative engineering methods or techniques
Category Special or innovative engineering methods and techniques.
Ice-storage energy-saving engineering
  • Use a raft-based ice-storage system to transfer peak loads.
  • Store the cooling water in the fire cistern to reduce the used space and contractual capacity.
High-rise building
  • The ultra-cold air system can reduce the area covered by pipelines.
  • A 42-floor building for multiple uses.
Special engineering
  • Integrated technology for hospitals with SARS negative pressure isolation equipment.
  • The Ministry’s bio-chemical laboratories.
  • Integrated engineering technology for the input of the entire tobacco factory.
  • Integrated electromechanical engineering technology for weaving and dyeing factory.
Biotechnological engineering
  • Integrated technology for the first H1N1 vaccine plant.
  • Integrated engineering technology for the cleanrooms of cGMP factory (Note 1).
  • Integrated engineering methods for professional biopharmaceutical (cordyceps sinensis) manufacturing plant
  • Integrated energy-saving electromechanical technology for biochemical equipment factories.
  • Integrated engineering technology for GTP cleanroom (Note 2).
  • Transnational output of integrated electromechanical technology for food/cGMP factories.
  • Integrated energy-saving electromechanical technology for poultry holding and processing factories.
  • Integrated technology that allows manufacturing sites to freely switch to a positive or negative pressure-environment depending on the product feature.
  • Integrated engineering technology for high toxic OEB5 injection plant (Note 3).
Green energy engineering Integrated engineering method for the supply of solar energy.
Cleanroom turn-key engineering
  • Innovative engineering method for the first PDP mass production factory (Note 4).
  • Innovative engineering method for Japanese polarizer manufacturers.
  • Innovative engineering method for TFT manufacturers (Note 5).
  • Special engineering methods for the 6" silicon wafer fab turn-key service under the cooperation with SONY (Japan).
  • Innovative engineering methods for Taiwan’s second largest assembly house.
  • Innovative engineering methods for the whole-plant electromechanical integration of module factory.
  • Innovative engineering method for FPCB factories (Note 6).
  • Innovation method for the integrated export of component factories in Japan.
  • Innovative engineering method for electromechanical integration of PEC manufacturers.
  • Innovative engineering method for the microenvironment of semiconductor device washing factory.

Note 1:     cGMP refers to current Good Manufacturing Practice, which are pharmaceutical production regulations promulgated by the Ministry of Health and Welfare in response to global trends in pharmaceutical production.
Note 2:     GTP refers to Good Tissue Practice, which specifies the requirements for high-class clean laboratories in the production of various pharmaceutical preparations for clinical trials.
Note 3:     OEB refers to Occupational Exposure Band. OEB5 (with an exposure limit of < 1μg/m3) provides a high level of operator safety.
Note 4:     PDP refers to Plasma Display Panel.
Note 5:     TFT refers to Thin-Film Transistor.
Note 6:  PCB refers to Printed Circuit Board.

 Intellectual Property Patents of 2024
  • A type of Ultrapure Water Supply Machine
  • A Special Gas Cabinet Designed for Easy Maintenance
  • A Special Gas Cabinet with Protective Function
  • A Constant Pressure Ultrapure Water Supply Device
  • A Cleanroom Air Purification System
  • A Control Method for Activated Carbon Exhaust Gas Treatment Device
  • A Cleanroom Ceiling and Installation Method
  • Full-automatic wet-process equipment with single-batch four-flower basket synchronous operation
  • Anti-bubble high-stability refractometer
  • Novel full-automatic electronic-grade chemical tank filling assembly line system
  • ITO oxalic acid powder dust removal device
  • Bag filter holder for wastewater treatment
  • Novel front and rear oscillating mechanism
  • Cleanroom intake structure
  • Novel inline chemical concentration measuring device
  • Filter structure
  • 200L automatic palletizing and handling equipment
  • Cleanroom air duct installation equipment
  • Novel array developer concentration dilution and control system
  • Wet dust exhaust device for polishing machine
  • Process tank flow field test device
  • Positioning structure of fixed-angle selective compliance wafer conveying mechanical arm
  • Automatic loading and unloading module for fool-proof vehicles
  • Photoresist mixing and filtering supply equipment
  • Novel acid barrel joint device for chemical recycling system
  • Automatic chemical filling equipment
  • Novel fully automatic equipment for cleaning electronic chemical drum accessories
  • 200L barrel automatic conveying line equipment
  • Control devices and equipment
  • Novel TMAH developer regeneration and concentration management system
  • Flow control switch
  • Novel butterfly cleaning tank cover
  • Detection system and detection device
  • Alternative pure water high pressure spray cleaning system
  • Gas cabinet
  • Adjustable air bubble detection device
Software copyright
  • R&D in an up-down swinging mechanism that controls rotation
  • R&D in an anti-bubble high-stability refractometer
  • R&D in a type of valve box for the slurry supply system
  • R&D in a rapid connection device for the slurry supply system
  • R&D in full-automatic 4L chemical barrel cleaning equipment
  • R&D in a novel manually adjusted ball-valve locking device

Outlook for Research and Development

Acter upholds a philosophy of innovation and environmental stewardship, taking the lead in green technologies and implementing a robust environmental management system. The company has defined four key development pillars: technology patent development, advancement of energy-saving technologies, research in the biotechnology sector, and industry-academia collaboration with a focus on talent cultivation. Aligned with its future operational strategies, Acter actively adopts emerging technologies and strengthens its green engineering management capabilities. By benchmarking best practices from relevant industries, the company evaluates and integrates approaches that best align with its operations, thereby enhancing competitiveness and reinforcing its role as a trusted long-term partner to clients.
Through strategic alliances with academic institutions and cross-sector collaborations, Acter integrates internal and external resources to attract top talent and nurture emerging professionals. Concurrently, it continues to enhance internal training and development frameworks. The company also maintains active engagement with industry associations and suppliers to drive continuous technological innovation, promote sustainable development, and unlock new market opportunities.