ISU Develops Eco-Friendly Grain-Based Cat Litter to Boost Sustainability and the Pet Economy
With the rise of the pet economy becoming a mainstream commercial trend, ISU is actively advancing its University Social Responsibility (USR) initiatives. Under the College of Engineering, Dr. Chia-Jung Cho from the Department of Chemical Engineering is leading students in a project titled “Xinyuan Cultivation Core: New Circular Economy in Smart Sustainable Agriculture,” which focuses on environmental sustainability. The project transforms rice husks into eco-friendly pet products. Among the innovations developed by the students is an environmentally friendly grain-based cat litter featuring strong antibacterial properties, excellent absorbency, and effective odor control. The litter is biodegradable and flushable, addressing the key drawbacks of traditional cat litter and offering pet owners and their furry companions a cleaner, more sustainable living environment. This product exemplifies the fusion of commercial potential and environmental awareness, not only upholding the principles of sustainability but also showcasing the effective reuse of agricultural waste.
The eco-friendly grain-based cat litter was developed by students from the Department of Chemical Engineering, including Ting Chen, Pin-Jui Lin, Hsuan-Kai Lin, Shih-Yu Lin, Min-Hsuan Chen, and Kuan-Yu Chen. The litter is produced using patented synthesis and surface modification technologies, featuring excellent absorbency and odor control. It is designed to decompose easily in the toilet and effectively inhibit bacterial growth, making it convenient to use and environmentally friendly. This research was carried out in collaboration with Dr. Ming-Chia Hsieh from the Department of Accounting, combining insights from the booming pet economy. The project received NT$500,000 in startup funding from the U-start Plan for Innovation and Entrepreneurship and an additional NT$100,000 grant from the University Startup Simulation Learning Platform of the Ministry of Education in its second phase. It also won a Creative Scholarship at the 2024 CTCI Foundation Science and Technology Scholarship & AI Innovation Competition and was shortlisted for the 2025 CTCI Group Sustainable Living Lab Award. These achievements reflect ISU’s strong capabilities in research and innovation.
Dr. Cho, the Director of the Sustainable Development Research Center, stated that the students’ outstanding performance highlights the university’s strong foundation in research innovation and the implementation of University Social Responsibility (USR). He emphasized that the department will continue to encourage students to engage in deeper interdisciplinary collaboration in the future. Dean Kuo-Liang Lin of the College of Engineering also noted that, with the support of the Ministry of Education, the university is actively promoting the New Engineering Education Method Experiment and Construction Project (Category C) to cultivate students’ hands-on innovation skills. The achievements of the Department of Chemical Engineering embody the core principles of this new engineering education model and the spirit of USR. The College will continue to collaborate with industry partners and integrate sustainability themes, offering more “innovation platforms” and “interdisciplinary learning” opportunities to guide students in fulfilling social responsibility and positively impacting society.
ISU integrates internal and external resources to leverage its strong academic and research capabilities. Through industry-academia collaboration, technological development, and innovative applications, the university helps students seamlessly connect with industry trends, cultivating professionals with international competitiveness and innovative thinking.
ISU’s development of eco-friendly grain-based cat litter supports sustainability and the booming pet economy, and it was named a finalist for the CTCI Group Sustainable Living Lab Award this year.
Developed by the Department of Chemical Engineering students, the eco-friendly grain-based cat litter embodies sustainability, creatively repurposes agricultural waste, and blends eco-consciousness with commercial innovation.
The eco-friendly grain-based cat litter received NT$500,000 in startup funding from the U-start Plan for Innovation and Entrepreneurship last year.
