Eco-friendly Certification, Participation in Demand Response (DR) Program
Appointment of Sustainability Committee Chair... Changes in Board Operations
DB HiTek announced on the 19th that it published the '2023 ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) Management Report' last month. The company disclosed environmental information on power semiconductors, which account for 37% of its sales, and decided to participate in the Demand Response (DR) power demand management business.
In the report, DB HiTek stated that it obtained the Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) certification for power semiconductors responsible for 37% of the company's sales in February. The EPD is a system where companies themselves use indicators to disclose the environmental impact from raw materials to production and disposal processes of their products. It is a certification system operated by the Korea Environmental Industry & Technology Institute under the Ministry of Environment.
Since last month, the company has been participating in the Korea Electric Power Corporation's Demand Response (DR) business. DR is a program where users register the capacity they can reduce during a power supply crisis in the grid to the Korea Power Exchange, undergo testing, and then implement the reduction.
The goal is to save about 2,400 kWh during supply crisis situations. This is eight times the average monthly electricity usage of a four-person household, which is about 300 kWh. During the peak power season in summer, power to lighting, heating and cooling, and air conditioning systems will be cut to reduce electricity consumption. The plan aims to overcome power supply interruption crises and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
DB HiTek announced that it invested about 4 billion KRW over three years to replace approximately 210 pieces of equipment, including vacuum pumps and chillers, with low-power products. The new low-power equipment can reduce power consumption per unit by up to 80% compared to existing equipment. The company plans to additionally replace more than 200 pieces of equipment with low-power products over the next three years.
Jiyeon Jeong, Associate Dean of the College of Ecological Environment at Kyungpook National University and an expert in environmental safety, women's policies, and ESG, was appointed as the chairperson of the Sustainable Management Committee. All four chairpersons of the board committees are composed of outside directors to enhance organizational expertise and independence.
A DB HiTek official said, "As a member of the semiconductor industry, we are carrying out various activities across all areas of ESG with a sense of responsibility," adding, "We will continue to strive to fulfill our social responsibilities."
The DB HiTek ESG Management Report can be accessed through the company’s website and the Financial Supervisory Service’s electronic disclosure system.
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