SK M&S Introduces QR Business Cards Replacing Paper Cards

‘Good Eco Impact Project’... Plans to Expand Externally After Internal Pilot Service

[SK M&S QR Business Card that allows exchanging business card information through QR code recognition]

SK M&S Co., Ltd. (CEO Park Jung-min) announced that it has introduced QR business cards that can be easily used on mobile devices instead of paper business cards as part of its ESG management activities.

This is part of SK M&S's ‘Good Eco Influence Project’ aimed at practicing and spreading ESG management.

Every year, approximately 520,000 trees worldwide are destroyed to produce paper business cards, yet they are rarely looked at again after the first meeting. SK M&S stated that although the environmental protection and cost-saving effects of stopping paper business card production may not be significant, they introduced QR business cards considering the importance of even a single tree for a healthy planet.

QR business cards convert information such as phone numbers, emails, and addresses found on paper business cards into QR codes that can be exchanged via smartphones. When the recipient scans the QR code displayed on the QR business card user’s phone with their camera, detailed business card information appears and can be immediately saved to the smartphone’s contacts. SK M&S developed the QR business card system in-house so that all members can easily create their own business card information and conveniently update it during promotions or department transfers.

Park Jung-min, CEO of SK M&S, emphasized, “Using QR business cards instead of familiar paper cards may be somewhat inconvenient.” He added, “However, just as using mugs instead of paper cups at cafes and reusable shopping bags instead of plastic bags at supermarkets has become the trend, small daily ‘practices’ and an ‘attitude toward life’ that considers the environment can have a surprisingly great impact.” He also stated, “We hope QR business cards will reduce forest destruction caused by paper business card production even slightly and serve as a starting point for a shift in awareness that prioritizes the environment.”

In the future, QR business cards will not only be used by SK M&S employees but will also be expanded to SK affiliates and Benefia client companies to support ESG management activities. While many companies recognize the necessity of ESG management for sustainable growth and value enhancement, they face limitations in implementing their own activities due to budget and manpower constraints. This project aims to create an opportunity for a shift in perception by providing an easily accessible approach.