【39th Golden Eagle Awards Special Issue】 Huang Kun-Hsiung: Leading with Integrity, Carrying a Sustainable Future through Green Innovation

From the laboratory to the paper mill, from chemical research to industrial practice, Chemistry Department alumnus and Chairman of Chung Hwa Pulp Corporation, Huang Kun-Hsiung, has devoted his lifelong expertise and passion to making “paper” more than just an everyday commodity—it has become a language of circularity, sustainability, and innovation. He firmly believes that forests are assets that “must be well protected, yet also wisely utilized.” For many years, he has worked to replace part of the petrochemical materials with cellulose and green chemistry, guiding the traditional paper industry toward a low‑carbon, circular, and sustainable future.

During his studies at Tamkang University, Huang Kun-Hsiung focused his research on natural cellulose. After graduating with a master’s degree in Chemistry in 1974, he went to the United States to pursue both master’s and doctoral degrees, specializing in Environmental and Forestry Studies as well as Petrochemical Materials. This interdisciplinary experience gave him a broader perspective on the choices and development of material science. Upon completing his studies, he joined 3M in the United States, where he was responsible for international business and later promoted to head of the Asia region, frequently traveling between Singapore and Taiwan. These rich cross-national experiences deepened his understanding of the dynamics of industrial globalization. After returning to Taiwan, he joined KNH Enterprise, engaging in the research and development of sanitary products and nonwoven materials. Ultimately, fate led him back to the familiar field of cellulose, when he was invited to lead Chung Hwa Pulp Corporation, bridging the domains of chemistry, fiber, and papermaking, and opening a new chapter in corporate transformation.