In today’s dynamic landscape, embracing sustainability transformation is no longer just a trend; it’s a critical imperative for businesses of all sizes, especially for small and medium enterprises (SMEs). The fashion industry, in particular, faces immense pressure to adopt more responsible practices. At Fantastic Enterprise (FANTERCO), we recognized this shift early on and embarked on a deliberate journey towards integrating Environmental Responsibility and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) into the very fabric of our operations. This commitment to becoming a truly sustainable business has not only redefined our approach to manufacturing but has also positioned us as a leader among SMEs looking to make a positive impact.

Our dedication to Sustainability Transformation has been a comprehensive undertaking, touching every aspect of our business from material sourcing to production processes and community engagement. We believe that by prioritizing eco-friendly practices and ethical considerations, we can create value not just for our company and our clients, but for the planet and future generations as well. This strategic pivot has been recognized and highlighted in various industry publications, underscoring the significance of our efforts.

To understand the depth of this transformation and the strategic initiatives that underpin our commitment, we invite you to delve into the detailed account of our journey.

The following is the full text of the English report from the United Daily News and Economic Daily News.

Economic Times – Sept. 14, 2025

Fantastic Enterprise (FANTERCO) Managing Director Kai-Wei (Jerry) Liu has taken over the apparel trading business founded by his father, Ching-Wu (Jimmy) Liu, leading the company through digital transformation and now into sustainability.

With the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) about to take effect, sustainability is no longer a matter of “should or shouldn’t,” but the key to survival. Having weathered the waves of industry migration and digital disruption, Fantastic Enterprise now faces the tide of sustainability with a calm but determined response.

“The company was born three years before me,” says Liu, who was born in 1975. After completing his master’s degree in the UK in 2000, he returned to Taiwan. By 2015, as his father’s health declined, Liu officially took over the reins of the company his father had built.

FANTERCO’s main products are export garments and sweaters, serving primarily European clients. Back in 2000, when many traditional Taiwanese industries relocated, the company kept pace with clients by moving factories to China and shipping through triangular trade. That strategy helped the company steer its ship safely through that turbulent wave.

But succession brought new pressures. “Only after taking over did I truly understand my father’s burden,” Liu recalls. With the rise of e-commerce, Taiwan’s apparel industry consolidated into a few large brands, customers were aging, and even long-term partners began exiting the market. The company needed transformation.

In 2016, Fantastic Enterprise began digital transformation by joining Alibaba with one simple goal: survival and new customers. The first year brought almost no orders, until a baby swimwear order from Uzbekistan arrived just before the contract expired—rekindling hope.

Liu personally experimented with platform management, SEO, keywords, and product descriptions, while also building a website, LinkedIn presence, and listings on Taiwantrade, creating B2B connections directly with clients.

By 2017, the company set its future direction on sustainable circular textiles. In 2019, it won Alibaba’s “Top 10 Supplier Contest Taiwan,” a recognition of its progress through trial and error.

The company first used and has been using the yarn made of recycled PET bottles for fabrics, but is now looking to shift to textile-to-textile recycling. “Taiwan has clear strengths in high-tech textiles, especially in functionality and sustainability,” Liu explains. “Eco-friendly fabrics made from recycled materials and low-carbon processes can meet the global demand for sustainable fashion.”

Through trial and error, Liu realized: “If you try to do everything, you end up doing nothing.” After once spreading across too many apparel categories, the company learned to focus on clear product positioning to discover its “blue ocean.”

With support from the Taiwan Textile Federation, Fantastic submitted one of its major products to be carbon-footprint certified.

Despite limited resources, they selected this representative product for full carbon-footprint analysis across five stages—raw materials, manufacturing, distribution, usage, and disposal—and achieved certification from BSI. The analysis showed the raw material stage, particularly nylon, had the highest emissions.

By switching to recycled polyester, carbon emissions dropped about 19%; changing washing methods (using water instead of detergent) cut another 1.88%. Combined, emissions fell 21.18%. With annual shipments of 100,000 pieces, that’s a reduction of 38,000 kg CO₂e per year.

Vice President Hui-Ling (Hazel )Tseng, who leads material development, emphasized: “We’re not doing this because the market forces us to. We anticipated future needs, and we’re preparing now.”

For supply chain transparency, export manager Yun-Hsin (Angela) Cheng noted that publishing raw material origins and production sites is complex and laborious. But long-term suppliers cooperated: “Every detail requires hands-on effort. For a small business, it’s stressful—but we’re glad to do it.”

“Initially everyone thought CBAM only targeted steel,” Liu says. “But any product within a carbon-intensive supply chain will be affected. We don’t have capital advantages, so we must calmly adjust and transform step by step. We’re not avant-garde or innovative—just always thinking: what must we do to survive?”

To keep pace, Liu actively joined workshops held by Taiwan Textile Federation and the Taiwan Textile Research Institute, turning new trends and technologies into innovation and confidence when speaking with clients.

With support from government agencies and its own investment, Fantastic finally obtained international carbon-footprint certification. As Taiwan continues to lead in functional textiles, integrating digital and AI technologies will be the next driver of sustainable transformation.

Transformation has been a team effort. During the pandemic, Fantastic launched an Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP), inviting core staff to share ownership and build a stronger team spirit. This solidarity carried the company through the pandemic and laid the foundation for transformation.

The company also invests in employees through English classes, self-development funds, and career growth programs. In 2021, it won the Taipei Neo Trade Award. With steady profit growth from its green transformation, employee profit-sharing rose from 13.9% in 2021 to 16.38% in 2024, sharing the fruits of growth.

Behind the glamour of fashion lies some of the toughest sustainability challenges. For Fantastic Enterprise, pushing ESG has never been easy—but precisely because it’s difficult, it’s meaningful.