Abstract
Taiwan's progress as a chemical industry leader over the past century is compiled, rapid growth in key industry sectors since World War II is detailed, and some of the challenges the nation's chemical industries face today, are addressed. Despite a shortage of equipment and technology, Taiwan's government managed to build plants to produce alkali (NaOH) and acid (H 2 SO 4 ) for agricultural fertilizers. The country's booming economy and expanding exports drove new domestic demand for fuel, lubricants, and chemical materials such as PVC and nylon. Rising costs and nascent environmental protectionism prompted Taiwan's chemical industry to produce higher-value-added products, such as those used in the assembly of computers and other electronic devices. In 2011, the naphtha-cracking capacity at FPG's refineries had reached some 540,000 bbl/d, further solidifying Taiwan's self-sufficiency in raw materials. Today, Taiwan's chemical industry constitutes a complete supply chain, providing products needed in the upstream, midstream, and downstream sectors.