SK Specialty Receives Prime Minister's Award for Resource Circulation... Achieves 98% Waste Recycling Rate

June 6, 16th Resource Circulation Day Ceremony
Recognized for Achievements in Resource and Climate Fields

Specialty gas company SK Specialty announced on the 9th that it received the 'Leading Circular Economy Company' Prime Minister's Award at the 16th Resource Circulation Day ceremony held on the 6th at Busan Metropolitan City Hall, jointly hosted by the Ministry of Environment, Busan City, and the Resource Circulation Day Organizing Committee. This award is given to companies that have contributed to the transition to a sustainable circular economy society through waste reduction and recycling activation.

SK Specialty stated, "Following last year's Green Management Grand Prize President's Award and the Korea Safety Grand Prize Prime Minister's Award, receiving this award further recognizes us as a company with the highest standards in the fields of environment and safety in Korea."

The company has achieved remarkable results in the field of waste circular utilization through continuous investment for resource circulation. SK Specialty has invested in facilities that reduce waste generation and enable recycling instead of landfill by introducing centrifuges, dust compression equipment, and improving water treatment systems. As a result, the waste recycling rate, which was 78% in 2021, was raised to over 98% last year, achieving an annual recycling of 21,000 tons of waste.

Exterior view of the main building of SK Specialty in Yeongju, Gyeongbuk [Photo by SK Specialty]

In addition, SK Specialty is taking the lead in responding to climate change. The company has set a goal to achieve RE100 and carbon neutrality (net zero) by 2030, 20 years ahead of the global target, and is actively promoting renewable energy transition and greenhouse gas reduction strategies. In 2021, it became the first in the industrial gas industry to obtain carbon footprint certification for tungsten hexafluoride (WF6) and secured environmental product declaration certification for nitrogen trifluoride (NF3), transparently disclosing carbon information.

Lee Gyu-won, President of SK Specialty, said, "We are investing more than 3% of our sales in safety, health, and environmental fields to promote sustainable growth," adding, "We have made great efforts in resource circulation, and with this award as a milestone, we will advance as the world's leading environmentally safe company."