HYOSUNG

Recently, the phenomenon of "eco-wakening" has been spreading, especially on social media. This trend signifies the increasing awareness and concern of people towards the destruction of nature. According to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), environmental awareness and a sense of urgency have rapidly spread, with keywords such as "climate crisis," "biodiversity," "marine litter," and "environmentally friendly consumption" posted in YouTube comments. The public, now highly aware of environmental issues, seeks to consume products from "ethical companies" that go beyond being eco-friendly to becoming eco-necessary.

In response to this demand, many companies are practicing ESG management. There are often companies that make not only genuine efforts to develop eco-friendly products but also lead ESG-compliant businesses to exert a positive influence, such as Hyosung. Hyosung goes beyond value-driven ESG management for social impact and creates eco-necessary products based on exceptional technology. Hyosung's technology is being utilized to achieve symbiotic purposes, specifically, to ensure that the future generations live in a more comfortable environment. Based on this technology, Hyosung aspires to reply to the needs of every generation’s future under Hyosung Group's ESG brand, RE:GEN.

Hyosung achieving sustainable growth under the RE:GEN brand, with the purpose to ‘Reply to Every Generation’s Future

For the sake of the future, it is crucial to confront reality first. In order to solve the global problems facing our generation today, innovative technologies are necessary. At the same time to enjoy current prosperity and wish for the well-being of future generations, these technologies must consider their environmental impact. What we need is an "ESG technology for every generation's future." Therefore, Hyosung is pursuing a realistic ESG strategy that combines Hyosung's technology to solve practical problems that will impact all generations' future.

As the first step of this strategy, Hyosung Group has announced the RE:GEN branding, an ESG brand for the group. RE:GEN, which means "Reply to Every Generation's Future," is the direction that Hyosung intends to take in the future. In order to respond to a sustainable future for all generations. Hyosung is not simply engaging in ESG activities that are distinct from business, but continuing efforts in constant innovation and technological development based on its technological DNA. Hyosung aims to become a company that proposes innovative solutions for a better future for all generations.

Hyosung's dedication to pursuing sustainability for every generation’s future

Hyosung is pursuing sustainability through resource conservation and recycling, in the form of a circular economy. A circular economy cannot be created solely by Hyosung, but it rather requires collaboration among all stakeholders, from the supply chain to raw materials and end-users in establishing a perfect cycle. Hyosung is leading the way in this circular economy by building an eco-system with the goal of zero waste in this cycle. Carbon neutrality aims to increase the absorption rate of emitted carbon dioxide, ultimately reducing the actual amount of carbon dioxide emissions to zero. This carbon neutrality is achieved through various efforts ranging from resource conservation to energy efficiency throughout the entire production and consumption process. Hyosung is researching, developing, and innovating to minimize carbon emissions in its production processes and manufactured products, for the purpose of carbon neutrality.

The scarce resources of the Earth we live in are rapidly depleting, and conventional fossil fuels and nuclear power are destroying the environment. New energy, which can replace them, such as renewable energy, is an essential field that must be developed for the future of the next generation. Sustainable new energy technologies cannot be achieved in a single moment. However, Hyosung’s DNA is essentially based on its efforts to achieve results through consistent efforts until hydrogen and renewable energy can replace fossil fuels and nuclear power. Hyosung aims to establish a value chain that covers materials, components, operational technologies, and distribution systems to commercialize and increase the efficiency of hydrogen and renewable energy. In addition, Hyosung strives to develop innovative technologies that minimize energy, resource usage, and harmful elements in all cycles of production and operation to reduce hazardous elements and conserve resources.

Hyosung’s excellent technology in ESG management

Hyosung TNC has pioneered environmentally friendly products, resulting in development of the wide range of eco-friendly polyester, nylon and spandex products domestically. Through the eco-friendly fiber brand regen, Hyosung TNC aims to create a virtuous eco-cycle for a more sustainable future. Hyosung TNC’s eco-friendly polyester yarn, 'regen Polyester,' utilizes useful components from discarded PET bottles, while 'regen Nylon' is produced by recycling discarded nylon or collecting discarded fishing nets to regenerate into environmentally friendly yarn. In addition, Hyosung TNC has developed 'regen Spandex' made from recycled spandex and regen Bio-Based Spandex' made from natural raw materials. Hyosung's environmentally conscious 'regen project' promotes a resource circulation system by recycling PET bottles collected from local governments such as Seoul and Jeju into recycled fibers and has gained recognition from consumers for the company's positive impact on the environment.

Hyosung Advanced Materials has developed automotive carpets using recycled BCF (Bulked Continuous Filament) to reduce industrial waste and industrial Bio PET made from plant-based Bio EG and Bio TPA. Additionally, Hyosung Advanced Materials has developed an eco-friendly 'Dip' that does not use resorcinol or formalin, which not only reduces harmful substances within the production process but also extends the tire’s lifespan. The lyocell tirecord made from cellulose extracted from wood, reduces harmful waste generation, thereby preventing air and water pollution. Furthermore, the domestically developed ultra-lightweight high-strength carbon fiber 'TANSOME®' and steel cord contributes well to reducing carbon emissions by improving vehicle fuel efficiency.

Hyosung Heavy Industries, a leader in domestic energy storage systems (ESS), supplies ESS for various purposes such as renewable energy integration, frequency regulation, peak reduction, and independent microgrids. The utilization of high-voltage direct current transmission (HVDC), which converts the high-voltage AC power from power plants into high-efficiency DC power, have opened up the possibilities for expanding the supply of renewable energy and increased the cross-border power interconnections. Hyosung Heavy Industries, which operates and constructs 700-bar hydrogen vehicle charging systems for next-generation eco-friendly hydrogen vehicles, has increased the convenience of hydrogen vehicle operation by supplying them to various places such as Hyundai Motor's Namyang Research Institute, Ulsan & Korea Expressway Corporation, and Hyundai Mobis. Additionally, Hyosung Heavy Industries has developed a smart grid technology, called the static compensator (STATCOM), which compensates for the relatively unstable power generation and supply of renewable energy. Hyosung Heavy Industries is the only company in Korea to possess the commercialization technology of STATCOM.

The reason why Hyosung Chemical's polyketone brand, POKETONE™, is attracting more attention is because of its eco-friendliness. It captures carbon monoxide, the main culprit of air pollution, to create new resources. In addition, every time one ton of polyketone is produced, it reduces approximately 0.5 tons of carbon monoxide. Through the development of durable and eco-friendly technologies, Hyosung Chemical is contributing to reducing environmental pollution.

Hyosung’s dynamic ESG activities

Hyosung Group strives for sustainable growth from a long-term perspective, which is the ultimate goal of ESG management, making efforts to have a significant impact on social and environmental benefits. Hyosung aims to systematize and commercialize its technology to create a cycle structure that leads to environmentally friendly actions from raw materials to end-users. Moreover, Hyosung Group does not stop here. With its ESG brand RE:GEN, Hyosung seeks to show meticulous interest in many things we take for granted and execute meaningful projects for the future of the next generation.

Furthermore, the future we dream of cannot be achieved solely by individual efforts. Hyosung seeks to discover RE:GEN Alliance brands that share its vision, and contribute practically to the world for better values and a better future together. Hyosung will support the growth and coexistence of the companies that have formed an alliance as a guaranteed brand of Hyosung RE:GEN Alliance. By thinking and executing for the future of the earth through an alliance, then a greener and more sustainable future will come.

If the ocean becomes polluted, the fish and creatures within it disappear, causing the collapse of the marine food chain. Hyosung Group aims to take the first step towards a journey that benefits all generations and species beyond borders. To do so, Hyosung will become a RE:GEN GUARDIAN for biodiversity conservation and kick off the Seagrass Forest project. Under Marine Ecosystem Law, seagrass has been designated as a marine protected species and is recognized as a prominent source of blue carbon that plays a crucial role in absorbing carbon within the marine ecosystem. In order to conserve the habitat of these seagrasses, Hyosung has contributed to the Coastal Village Mutual Cooperation Fund. The fund that Hyosung contributed to will be used for various marine activities, such as "monitoring the distribution and habitat of seagrasses," "transplanting seagrass to locations for them to prosper," and "collecting abandoned fishing nets in the ocean." Furthermore, Hyosung is continuing its efforts to preserve the marine ecosystem by developing recycled fibers from discarded fishing nets.

Hyosung's ESG activities are carried out in a practical and concrete way. Rather than simply offering abstract words such as symbiosis and sustainable future, Hyosung plans to contribute to creating a future where everyone can live together by developing tangible technologies that can be implemented directly. Hyosung will strive not only to provide convenient technologies for the current generation but also to create an environment where future generations can live with nature. With RE:GEN, which conveys Hyosung's unique philosophy and vision, together with technology, we will respond to the future of all generations.