The Determination of Three NTU Minds Pushes the Hydrogen Industry Into a New Frontier

Three outstanding graduates from National Taiwan University walked away from multimillion-NT-dollar salaries at publicly listed companies to found CHY Biotech and enter the biotechnology and hydrogen sector. Beginning with the Japanese market, they spent less than a decade building momentum abroad before their success returned home—establishing the company as a leading force in Taiwan’s hydrogen industry. Today, they are forging cross-industry partnerships in healthcare, wellness, and lifestyle, dedicated to advancing preventive medicine and contributing to a healthier future for Taiwan.

Driven by unwavering commitment, three NTU alumni devote themselves fully to advancing the hydrogen industry. Pictured: Ryan Chen, Chairman of CHY Biotech (center); Herman Su, Vice President (right); andEric Wu, Marketing & Sales Manager (left). Photo courtesy of CHY Biotech.

Giving Up a Million-Dollar Salary to Enter the Hydrogen Industry

Ryan Chen, Chairman of CHY Biotech and known in Japan by the business title Daihyou Torishimariyaku (代表取締役), graduated from National Taiwan University’s Department of Finance and later earned a Master’s degree in International Securities, Investment and Banking from the ICMA Centre in the UK. Inheriting his mother’s analytical mind from her career in the securities and futures sector, Chen excelled in the fintech industry and built a solid professional track record.But after turning thirty, despite holding an impressive title and earning a high salary at a well-known publicly listed company, he felt his career path had reached its limit—growth opportunities no longer lay ahead.

“Why not start my own business?”A lifelong fan of sports and music, Chen not only played baseball throughout school but also joined the harmonica club, even placing in Asia-Pacific competitions. Through his interests, he came to realize that hydrogen-related products were widely embraced in Japanese households—particularly by athletes who used them as post-training supplements. That insight sparked his ambition to step into the hydrogen industry.

Chen’s open-minded family supported his decision wholeheartedly. After returning to Taiwan at age twenty-six to begin his professional career, his mother encouraged him to rethink his long-term direction. At thirty-one, Chen stepped out of his comfort zone with his mother’s full backing.“When you’re on the right path, success comes more quickly,” she told him.

Having read more than a hundred international academic papers, Chen became convinced that hydrogen will be a key factor in human health in the future. With that belief, he began collaborating with design teams to develop core product technologies—driven by the conviction that “we must always stay ahead in technology.” In Japan, awareness of hydrogen products was already high, and in just a few years, products designed by Chen’s team were being exported back to Japan from Taiwan—an impressive reverse-export achievement.“We’re not afraid of imitation,” Chen says. “As long as we continue leading with innovation, the market won’t intimidate us.”

Chen believes that craftsmanship is the foundation of great products, and that “putting in our best effort every day—surpassing who we were yesterday” is the force that keeps CHY Biotech moving forward. Looking to the future, he hopes to collaborate with partners around the world to promote hydrogen products, broaden their accessibility, and enable more people to stay healthy and full of vitality.

Alex Chen, Chairman of Sustainable Development Consulting Co., Ltd., aims to make hydrogen inhalation accessible to everyone and to drive the widespread adoption of the industry. Photo courtesy of the company.

A Steady Character That Earns the Trust of Japanese Clients

Vice President Herman Su, who describes himself as a cautious and methodical type-A personality, graduated from National Taiwan University with a degree in Political Science and later earned a Master’s in Public Administration from the London School of Economics. Rather than entering politics, he first became a journalist and later worked as a confidential secretary in the government sector. Su and Chairman Eric Chen served in the military together and quickly bonded over their shared passion for hydrogen and the health industry.

Su notes that Japanese business culture values prudence, trust, and peace of mind, making it difficult to gain confidence solely through online communication. Yet Su successfully built trust by responding to clients’ inquiries professionally and promptly—a quality that earned recognition and respect from Japanese partners.

At the beginning, Su was not fluent in Japanese. How did he communicate with clients?“For the first two client groups, I was lucky—they happened to be Chinese speakers living in Japan,” he recalls with a laugh. He compares Japanese clients to a pot of chicken soup that requires slow simmering—once mutual trust is established, subsequent negotiations flow more smoothly.

“Many people ask me how I manage to close deals through emails and phone calls alone.”With his steady personality, Su now leads most of CHY Biotech’s ODM business in Japan. He humorously likens business development to cultivating a long-term romantic relationship—understanding the other party’s needs and providing timely answers to their questions naturally builds trust and lays the foundation for lasting cooperation.

Su explains that hydrogen-related products already enjoy high visibility in Japan, widely used by celebrities and athletes.Actress Norika Fujiwara frequently shares her experiences and has become one of the most influential ambassadors.Idol Kazuya Kamenashi has also endorsed hydrogen products—further contributing to widespread awareness and acceptance in Japan.

By reversing the reaction of a hydrogen fuel cell and electrolyzing pure water, ultra-high-purity hydrogen gas can be produced. Photo courtesy of the company.

Excellence in Marketing — Bridging Online and Offline Engagement

A great product still needs a strong marketing force behind it.Eric Wu, now Marketing & Sales Manager at CHY Biotech, once worked under Eric Chen in the same company in a supervisor–subordinate relationship. After graduating from National Tsing Hua University with a degree in Quantitative Finance, Wu earned his MBA from National Taiwan University and later built the company’s first official website. His specialty in digital marketing allows him to integrate diverse resources effectively. Wu also studied directly under Professor Tsan-Zon Liu, known as the “Father of Hydrogen Medicine,” giving him a strong theoretical foundation that enhances his marketing execution in the hydrogen field.

Wu explains the latest pure-water electrolysis technology: by reversing the reaction of a hydrogen fuel cell and electrolyzing pure water, ultra-high-purity hydrogen gas is produced without generating any by-products.

According to Wu, CHY Biotech has established a fully integrated end-to-end operation, covering technology R&D, production, design, and manufacturing—earning recognition from international clients. His marketing strategy advances through both online and offline channels: sharing the latest global research on molecular hydrogen through blog content, while organizing in-person seminars to help more consumers understand the science behind hydrogen medicine.

Advancing Into Taiwan — Integrating Healthcare, Wellness, and Lifestyle Industries

Today, CHY Biotech’s products can be found across the globe. A major milestone came through collaboration with SGS Ultra Trace Industrial Safety Hygiene, an internationally recognized verification institution, which significantly strengthened the company’s credibility and expanded its global visibility.

Alex Chen, Chairman of Sustainable Development Consulting Co., Ltd., holds exclusive distribution rights for several key CHY Biotech products in Taiwan. Observing how hydrogen products are widely used across Japan—and how they have improved the health and quality of life of many elderly individuals—he envisioned bringing the same advantages to households throughout Taiwan. After multiple negotiations, he secured the distributorship for several CHY products.

“My goal is to make hydrogen inhalation accessible to everyone, raise nationwide awareness, and help the industry truly take root,” he says.

Chen’s earlier entrepreneurial setbacks taught him firsthand the highs and lows of business—lessons that forged his determination to persevere. By a fortunate twist of fate, he encountered the hydrogen industry, which he believes possesses both high future value and irreplaceable potential. As soon as he began promoting hydrogen solutions in Taiwan, the market responded rapidly, leading to an impressive market share in a short period of time.

Looking ahead, Chen plans to focus on home-friendly and portable hydrogen products, while forging cross-industry alliances with the wellness and leisure sectors. He is currently in discussions with renowned spa centers, premium massage-chair brands, leading mattress manufacturers, deep-sleep research centers, and senior care facilities.Chen believes that massage chairs have already evolved to feature massage functions, music, and Bluetooth connectivity.

“If hydrogen inhalation were added to the experience, it could ignite a new wave in the global massage-chair market,” he says confidently.

Published on April 1, 2024 at 11:52:34 AM

Economic Daily News | by Zheng Zhi-shan

Original article source: https://money.udn.com/money/story/5635/7869577