Laser Focus World is an industry bedrock—first published in 1965 and still going strong. We publish original articles about cutting-edge advances in lasers, optics, photonics, sensors, and quantum technologies, as well as test and measurement, and the shift currently underway to usher in the photonic integrated circuits, optical interconnects, and copackaged electronics and photonics to deliver the speed and efficiency essential for data centers of the future.

Our 80,000 qualified print subscribers—and 130,000 12-month engaged online audience—trust us to dive in and provide original journalism you won’t find elsewhere covering key emerging areas such as laser-driven inertial confinement fusion, lasers in space, integrated photonics, chipscale lasers, LiDAR, metasurfaces, high-energy laser weaponry, photonic crystals, and quantum computing/sensors/communications. We cover the innovations driving these markets.

Laser Focus World is part of Endeavor Business Media, a division of EndeavorB2B.

Laser Focus World Membership

Never miss any articles, videos, podcasts, or webinars by signing up for membership access to Laser Focus World online. You can manage your preferences all in one place—and provide our editorial team with your valued feedback.

Magazine Subscription

Can you subscribe to receive our print issue for free? Yes, you sure can!

Newsletter Subscription

Laser Focus World newsletter subscription is free to qualified professionals:

The Daily Beam

Showcases the newest content from Laser Focus World, including photonics- and optics-based applications, components, research, and trends. (Daily)

Product Watch

The latest in products within the photonics industry. (9x per year)

Bio & Life Sciences Product Watch

The latest in products within the biophotonics industry. (4x per year)

Laser Processing Product Watch

The latest in products within the laser processing industry. (3x per year)

Get Published!

If you’d like to write an article for us, reach out with a short pitch to Sally Cole Johnson: [email protected]. We love to hear from you.

Photonics Hot List

Laser Focus World produces a video newscast that gives a peek into what’s happening in the world of photonics.

Following the Photons: A Photonics Podcast

Following the Photons: A Photonics Podcast dives deep into the fascinating world of photonics. Our weekly episodes feature interviews and discussions with industry and research experts, providing valuable perspectives on the issues, technologies, and trends shaping the photonics community.

Editorial Advisory Board

  • Professor Andrea M. Armani, University of Southern California
  • Ruti Ben-Shlomi, Ph.D., LightSolver
  • James Butler, Ph.D., Hamamatsu
  • Natalie Fardian-Melamed, Ph.D., Columbia University
  • Justin Sigley, Ph.D., AmeriCOM
  • Professor Birgit Stiller, Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light, and Leibniz University of Hannover
  • Professor Stephen Sweeney, University of Glasgow
  • Mohan Wang, Ph.D., University of Oxford
  • Professor Xuchen Wang, Harbin Engineering University
  • Professor Stefan Witte, Delft University of Technology

Taiwan’s UKL Turns Agricultural Waste into Climate Advocacy and Global Innovation





Taiwan., Jul. 17, 2025 -According to a report published by《The Icons》, Taiwan-based UKL (Universal Knitwear Ltd.) has emerged as a global voice in the sustainability movement, spotlighted as a national leader in green material innovation and circular textile transformation. The feature highlighted UKL’s pioneering work in converting agricultural waste—specifically pineapple leaves—into regenerative fiber and design applications, linking Taiwan’s rural economy to global climate action through a forward-thinking ecosystem of research, manufacturing, and policy integration.

The same report recognized UKL’s CC4CC Project and its “ShowYourStripes” climate action shirt as a powerful symbol of international climate advocacy. By transforming 173 years of Taiwan’s temperature data into a visual barcode, UKL created a wearable expression of global warming using PALF (Pineapple Leaf Fiber), its signature biodegradable material with one of the lowest carbon footprints in the industry. The brand’s growing global visibility aligns with two major international events this fall—the Global Circular Economy Summit in October and the COP30 Climate Conference in November—positioning UKL as one of Taiwan’s most visible contributions to global sustainability dialogue.

Just one month later, in June 2025, Taiwan’s Ministry of Agriculture held a landmark launch ceremony in Pingtung County to announce the official mass production and export of pineapple leaf fiber. In partnership with the Jiuru Farmers’ Association and UKL, the event marked the shipment of the first 100 kilograms of industrial-grade PALF extracted from over 20,000 pineapple plants. The fiber is being exported to partners in the United States, Japan, and Vietnam and is expected to yield approximately 7,500 garments. The project represents a breakthrough in how rural agricultural systems can integrate with sustainable industrial production.

Historically treated as waste, pineapple leaves were often incinerated or buried, contributing to carbon emissions and soil degradation. Through public-private cooperation, these same leaves are now converted into high-value, natural fiber that generates additional income for farmers—estimated at over USD 310 per 0.1 hectare. Taiwan’s Minister of Agriculture, Chen Jun-chi, emphasized that the project was not only an environmental milestone but a structural shift in how local agriculture can participate in global climate solutions.

Speaking at the event, UKL Executive Vice President HSIEH, HUAN-CHI remarked, “This is not brand marketing—this is a sustainability action rooted in the land. With this project, we hope to show the world what Taiwan can contribute in material innovation, system integration, and climate collaboration. When you wear our products, you're supporting rural economies, carbon reduction, and the future of responsible design.”

The initiative integrates field harvesting, fiber extraction, processing, and international distribution into a single value chain—uniting farmers, ministries, and designers under a shared mission. As PALF enters stable commercial production, UKL's trajectory underscores a new kind of climate leadership—one that begins in the soil but speaks to the world.



Stock Quote API & Stock News API supplied by www.cloudquote.io
Quotes delayed at least 20 minutes.
By accessing this page, you agree to the following
Privacy Policy and Terms Of Service.