First Korean Steelmaker to Achieve Certification at All Domestic Sites
Meeting 2050 Carbon Neutrality and ESG Supply Chain Requirements
"We Will Respond Swiftly to Local Customer Demands"
Hyundai Steel has obtained the 'Steel Sustainability Australia (SSA)' certification from the Australian Steel Institute. This marks the first time a Korean steelmaker has received this certification for all of its domestic sites. Amid rising tariff barriers from the United States, this move is also interpreted as part of Hyundai Steel's strategy to diversify its global sales channels in earnest.
On August 8, Hyundai Steel announced that all of its domestic sites?including the Dangjin Steelworks in Dangjin, South Chungcheong Province, as well as its plants in Incheon, Pohang in North Gyeongsang Province, and Suncheon in South Jeolla Province?have obtained SSA certification. The SSA is an eco-friendly certification system introduced in 2023 in line with the Australian government's 2050 carbon neutrality goal. It comprehensively evaluates environmental and ethical sustainability throughout the entire steel manufacturing and distribution process.
In particular, the SSA certification is linked to 'Green Star,' Australia's leading green building rating system. Using SSA-certified steel can earn additional points for construction projects. Hyundai Steel believes that the SSA certification can translate into a competitive advantage in securing contracts in the Australian construction market, where demand for eco-friendly steel is high.
To obtain SSA certification, companies must not only submit environmental data according to international standards (ISO14067 or EN15804) but also meet stringent requirements, including: establishing and implementing a carbon neutrality roadmap, formulating supply chain ESG policies, and meeting ethical management standards. Hyundai Steel already operates an environmental management system based on ISO14001 and announced its own carbon neutrality roadmap in 2023, which it has since begun implementing. During the certification process, the company submitted documentation proving the environmental performance of its products, thereby demonstrating achievements in sustainable management.
This SSA certification is especially significant as Hyundai Steel seeks to mitigate overseas market risks and diversify its export portfolio in response to growing protectionism, such as the recent increase of U.S. steel import tariffs to as much as 50%. Hyundai Steel plans to expand its sales in the Australian market by actively responding to the needs of Australian clients, including through the acquisition of SSA certification.
Meanwhile, at the World Steel Association's annual general meeting in April, Hyundai Steel was also recognized as a '2025 Sustainability Champion,' further cementing its reputation as a leading company in ESG management.
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