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Green Management

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Green Management
VISION 2030

Hyosung declared Green Management Vision 2030 in an effort to become a sustainable company that promotes a better life for humanity.
Based on our four objectives of reducing GHG emissions, developing eco-friendly technologies and expanding the market, establishing an eco-friendly corporate culture, and enhancing stakeholder confidence, we establish and implement company-wide climate change response strategies by assigning specific responsibilities for each objective.
14.5% or more reduction of GHG emissions by 2030 compared to 2018
  • GHG reduction through external reduction projects such as SDM** in line with the Paris Agreement * Sustainable Development Mechanism under the Paris Agreement
  • Reduction of GHG emissions through energy conservation measures at business sites and expansion of the use of new and renewable energies
  • Efficient GHG emissions management through company-wide operation of the carbon asset management system and the product carbon footprint calculation system
  • Establishment of a climate change risk and opportunity identification process for risk hedge and opportunity identification
Learn more about
Response
to Climate Change
Market development and business expansion through the development of green technologies
  • Pursuit of Low-carbon and green growth through the expansion of renewable energy businesses such as hydrogen, solar power, and wind power
  • Expansion of green technology capabilities, including vegetable oil transformers, Novec gas mixture circuit breakers, and polyketone, a non-hazardous plastic
  • Expansion of circular economy products including used PET bottles, yarn made from discarded fishing nets, and recycled car floor mats
  • Pioneering new markets through energy-saving technologies, such as HVDC, STATCOM, and carbon fiber (TANSOME®)
Nurturing a corporate culture by establishing sustainable infrastructure
  • Pursuing environmental impact reduction through advanced water and air pollution control systems
  • Saving water by expanding the use of recycled water and reducing waste discharge via recycling
  • Consistent promotion of win-win cooperation and growth via energy performance diagnosis and facility support for partners
  • Establishment of sustainable infrastructure by expanding purchases of eco-friendly and green technology products
Enhancement of stakeholder trust through transparent information disclosure
  • Establishment of a green management system by increasing the number of green and eco-friendly certifications
  • Building trust with stakeholders through participation in the CDP** and the Env-Info System, and publication of sustainability reports ** Carbon Disclosure Project
  • Voluntary participation in global climate change initiatives
  • Constant communication with local residents and participation in local nature conservation activities, such as entitling each company to cleanup a river, park, or mountain
Button background
In April 2021, Hyosung underwent a restructuring of the existing Transparent Management Committee under the BoD into the ESG Management Committee. This committee now encompasses environmental and social aspects with expanded roles in deliberating and making decisions on significant ESG management issues. These include formulating ESG-related policies and goals including climate change, risk management, and investment and activity plans. With the former Minister of Environment serving the BoD, the ESG Management Committee handles diverse topics, including the establishment of green management vision, tackling climate change-related issues (e.g. GHG emissions, oversupply and deficit of emission allowances), the development of eco-friendly products and technologies, and investments in ERP systems and environmental facilities for green management. Furthermore, in July 2021, we integrated the two independent committees—EHS and CSR—into the ESG Management Promotion Committee chaired by the CEO so as to promote not only EHS management but also social and governance initiatives. The ESG Management Promotion Committee meets quarterly to address specific ESG management matters and select agenda to be presented or reported to the BoD. The R&D Committee, consisting of the CEO and top management, meets twice a year to formulate R&D strategies based on input from relevant departments ranging from sales and marketing to development and research, with a focus on climate change. As for dedicated organizations, we have an ESG management organization directly under the CEO's control and the Green Management Department within the Strategy Division to develop green and ESG management strategies, implement management, and disclose performance. The Power Generation Environment Team and the Production Department are responsible for reducing energy consumption and GHG emissions, whereas environment-related departments take charge of managing pollutant-emitting facilities and reducing pollutants at business sites.
Decision-making body
BoD (ESG Management Committee)
  • ESG Management Promotion Committee
  • R&D Committee
Working organizations and their roles
  • ESG Management Department
    • Strategy establishment
      and performance disclosure
  • Green Management Department
    • Strategy promotion
      and execution management
  • Departments related to power generation and production
    • Discovery and execution of energy
      and GHG reduction projects
  • Departments related to environment
    • Pollution reduction activities
      and management at business sites
In accordance with ISO 14001 (Environmental management systems), Hyosung has established an environmental management system based on the environmental operation and management process.
Download Environmental Management Policy
1. Environmental operation and management process

  • Management of organizational status

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    The ESG Management Promotion Committee, under the supervision of the CEO, manages and makes decisions on ESG issues, including the environment, the ESG management organization under the CEO conducts strategy establishment and performance disclosure, and the Green Management Department of the Strategy Division conducts strategy promotion and execution management.

    The utility and production department in the workplace manages energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, and the environment-related department systematically implements environmental pollution reduction activities and management.

  • Risk management

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    Through our risk management system, we recognize the risks inherent in various factors in the environmental sector, such as climate change, environmental regulations, and hindrances to green management activities, and prevent the potential impact of risks through risk analysis. We check whether the risk response measure is properly applied and prevents a recurrence.

  • Impact assessment

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    We assess the significant and potential environmental impacts of all activities related to production, products, and services in terms of green management. These impacts are evaluated based on predefined criteria, registered, and managed for improvement.

  • Legal and policy management

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    Hyosung rapidly identifies new or revised laws and policies from a government agency, international convention, or local government. We ensure strict compliance through dissemination and education, apply evaluation standards on our compliance, and inspect the green management system.

  • Environmental permits and licenses

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    In the case of installing or changing a discharge or pollution control facility, we receive a review, inspection, and evaluation from government ministries and public and private organizations.

  • Green management operation activities

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    • Waste management

      By optimizing the inventory and usage management of raw and subsidiary materials, Hyosung makes persistent efforts to cut down on waste generation by promoting the reuse and recycling of a higher proportion of waste produced during its manufacturing processes.

    • Water management

      In order to minimize the impact on rivers and seas, water pollutants are managed with internal standards that are stronger than legal standards. Our facilities eliminate pollutants physically, chemically, and biologically, and our telemonitoring system (TMS) is operated under the automated water quality measurement system.

    • Air quality management

      Hyosung has upgraded waste treatment facilities and uses clean fuels to reduce air pollutants and emissions. Furthermore, we devise plans with stricter standard compared to the legal acceptance level to control air pollution and improve air quality in various sectors.

    • Chemical management

      In the entire process of purchasing, using, selling and disposing of chemical substances, Hyosung prevents incidents associated with chemical substances by removing environmental, safety, and health hazards in advance. Hyosung controls all chemical substances used in its production processes through an ERP based electronic system, verifying whether they contain regulated chemicals. When procuring chemicals, we require Material Safety and Health Data (MSDS) and Letters of Confirmation(LOC) from suppliers. Only materials approved after confirming their regulatory status in the Electronic Chemical Management System (ECMS) are eligible for purchase. Our electronic system ensures compliance with the Toxic Chemicals Control Act and the Act on the Registration and Evaluation, etc. of Chemical Substances, enabling systematic data management of all chemical substances. We maintain transparency by submitting and disclosing information on chemical substance performance, emissions, and statistical data to the Ministry of Environment.

  • Compliance evaluation

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    Hyosung established an evaluation system based on internal standards that have been reinforced beyond the level required by laws and regulations for green management operation activities. We conduct evaluations accordingly. We check environmental performance indicators every year, establish and manage environmental performance goals, and carry out green management activities according to plans.

  • Change management

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    Hyosung identifies and analyzes all risks resulting from changes in raw materials including chemical substances, facilities, process design, operating conditions, pollutant-emitting facilities, off-site risk assessments, process safety management, and relevant laws and regulations. We review any changes in time to verify suitability and effectiveness, report the result of changes, and carry out training to prevent risks in advance.

2. Green management communication
Hyosung strives to take corporate responsibility with sustainable growth in the process of value creation for various stakeholders, including customers, employees, and shareholders. Internally, we communicate with stakeholders through the operation of ESG Management Promotion Committee, Safety and Health Council, etc., and externally through the Sustainable Management Report and CDP Report
3. Education and training
To manage and internalize green management capabilities such as carbon footprint of greenhouse gas emission trading systems and products, water conservation and wastewater treatment, chemical management and handling /disposal of hazardous chemicals, we systematically conduct environmental education and training and periodically check its effectiveness and implementation.
4. Emergency response to environmental and safety risks
We have created scenarios for various types of environmental and safety risks and established a system that enables immediate and effective responses to environmental risks such as leakages of water, wastewater/waste oil, toxic substances, and untreated gases, as well as safety risks including fire accidents and physical damage caused by natural disasters such as earthquakes, typhoons, and heavy rain. Through regular training such as joint fire drills with the public sector and how to handle hazardous materials, we aim to minimize damages and familiarize ourselves with response protocols. Additionally, we have post-emergency recovery measures in place to ensure rapid normalization.
According to Vision 2030, Hyosung concentrates its efforts on the research and development of green technologies and products based on the company's core value of innovation and the strategy of "Market development and business expansion through the development of green technologies." We are securing future growth engines and achieving sustainable growth in line with our vision.
In the field of power facilities, we focus on enhancing the ESS business's capacity for efficient energy use, including power supply and demand. As the hydrogen economy grows, we also aggressively promote new and renewable energy businesses and endeavor to secure the growth of key future businesses by expanding the eco-friendly hydrogen business.
In the field of chemicals, we actively promote eco-friendly product innovation. This includes technologies for recycling disposables such as regen® and MIPAN® regen, the development of biodegradable products and bio-based materials to stop pollution, and the development of carbon fiber, a lightweight material that can save energy and lower carbon emissions. We will stay committed to making unstinting R&D investments in eco-friendly products and technology to be on the frontline of responding to climate change and building the eco-friendly business ecosystem.
Eco-friendly product & technology development
Hyosung Way Innovation Challenging New Possibilities
VISION 2030 Market development and business expansion through the development of green technologies
Power
  • Conversion to eco-friendly materials
    • Eco-friendly conversion of transformer and circuit breaker materials
    • Development of vegetable oil application technology
    • Development of SF6 gas alternative
  • Distributed power solutions and operating solutions
    • Development of an ESS battery fire prediction system
    • Development of microgrid power routers
    • Development of electricity trading services at virtual power plants using distributed resources
  • Construction of EV charging infrastructure
    • Development of a power conversion system for rapid charging
    • Participation in a project to construct EV charging stations using biogas resources
    • Development of a carbon-free hydrogen fueling station design technology
Chemical
  • Development of biodegradable products
    • Development of biodegradable spandex
    • Base research on PBAT spinning technique
    • Development of biodegradable MB-mixed PET spinning technique
  • Development of resource recycling technology
    • Development of chemical & mechanical recycling technology
    • Development of recycled PET film
  • Development of products using eco-friendly materials
    • Development of tire cords using bio-based materials
    • Development of carbon fibers and composite materials
    • Development of parts utilizing polyketone
Hyosung has organized various contests and projects to increase eco-consciousness in society, as well as green management training for employees. We held the Carbon Fiber Startup Contest in 2014, the Eco-Friendly Idea Contest for University Students from 2017 to 2019, the 21st Greenhouse Gas Energy Reduction Contest in 2021, and the Open Innovation Project in 2022. As such, we will devote ourselves to increasing the interest of stakeholders in sustainable management.
Carbon Fiber "Creative Idea" Startup Contest
Hyosung hosted a startup contest together with Jeollabuk-do Province. Among a total of 172 teams, 10 teams were awarded, including four teams in the carbon category, three in agriculture and life, and three in cultural content. The grand prize winner in the carbon fiber application field was an umbrella that strengthened durability by incorporating carbon fiber as a material and reduced the possibility of loss or theft by employing Bluetooth technology.
Eco-friendly Idea Contest
Hyosung held an annual eco-friendly idea contest from 2017 to 2019.

  • The winners for the 2017 contest were "wireless electronic device charging shoes" and "brake pad dust collection device with zeolite filters applied."

  • In 2018, the grand prize went to "defecation bags made from bioplastics and containing seeds." These bags aim at preventing pollution and maintaining a clean environment. They are made from bioplastics that decompose in 20 days, and with seeds inside the bags, pet waste becomes natural fertilizer for flowers.

  • In 2019, the concept of a "low-cost mask capable of chemical purification" received the grand prize. Coating the particulate matter filter with a combination of various chemical solutions increases its efficiency by overcoming the limitations of existing particulate matter filters, which cannot filter out small particles contained in particulate matter.

Internal contest for energy conservation and GHG reduction idea submissions
In the second half of 2021, Hyosung held an internal contest for energy conservation and GHG reduction idea submissions for employees. We solicited 211 ideas such as energy reduction at the workplace, product commercialization, and reduction campaigns, and provided awards for 10 outstanding ideas. We implemented infrastructure investment at Anyang Plant by applying the idea of “improving compressed air manufacturing efficiency and reducing operating oressure,” which won the grand prize.
Open Innovation Project (Support for eco-friendly fiber startups) Open Innovation Project poster
Hyosung's Open Innovation Project is aimed at discovering startups in the eco-friendly textile and smart textile industries. Open innovation is a management technique to improve business competitiveness by collaborating with startups on business model innovation and core technologies.
Through this project, we anticipate identifying startups with expertise in eco-friendly textiles, including the supply of raw materials for bio-based/biodegradable long fibers and recycled fibers, and eco-friendly dyeing and processing technologies, as well as innovative startups with smart textile technologies such as wearable textiles and IT-converged textiles. We expect the involvement of startups that can bring innovation to our existing businesses and propose new business models with their expertise and management know-how in ESG management, including carbon and energy-saving technologies and sustainability.
Selected startups will benefit from the program through business collaboration, including joint product development, technical support, technology verification, and equity investment.
Environmental education targeting all employees
All employees at Hyosung receive annual environmental education on topics such as the impact of climate change, carbon neutral policy, and the impact of climate change on biodiversity. We also provide ESG management training focusing on climate change and carbon neutrality targeting new recruits.