SK hynix Saves 170,000 Tons of Water Per Day...Showcases Achievements at 'Korea International Water Week 2026'

Aiming to Save a Cumulative 600 Million Tons of Water Resources by 2030
Reuse of Water Increases by 54% in Four Years
Water Resource Circulation Achievements at Semiconductor Plants

SK hynix achieved significant water resource management results last year, saving an average of 170,000 tons of water per day at its domestic sites. This amount is enough to supply daily household water for approximately 550,000 people. The company also announced a mid- to long-term goal to cumulatively save 600 million tons of water resources by 2030.

On September 10, SK hynix announced that it is participating in "Korea International Water Week 2026," being held from the 9th to the 11th of this month at EXCO in Daegu, where it is presenting its achievements in water resource management and future plans. Korea International Water Week is an international event where governments, public institutions, companies, and experts from Korea and abroad discuss solutions to water-related issues. This year, approximately 80 companies and institutions from around 50 countries are taking part.

A view of the SK hynix exhibition hall at the "Korea International Water Week 2026," held from the 9th to the 11th of this month at Daegu EXCO. SK hynix

Since 2018, SK hynix has operated a dedicated Water and Wastewater Reduction Task Force (TF) to reduce water consumption in its production processes and increase the reuse ratio. As a result, the company reported cumulative water resource savings of 303.37 million tons by last year, surpassing the original target of 264 million tons. It plans to raise this figure to 329 million tons this year. The amount of reused water—water that is used more than once—also rose by about 54%, from 47.88 million tons in 2022 to 73.59 million tons last year.

The company is also expanding site-specific systems for water reuse, tailored to the characteristics of each plant's operations. At the Icheon plant, a wastewater reuse facility has been running, securing 94,400 tons of reused water per day, which is reintroduced into air pollution prevention systems and other processes. In 2023, the Cheongju plant became the first site in Korea’s semiconductor industry to utilize externally treated sewage as industrial water. In addition, SK hynix continues to invest in pollutant reduction technologies by applying advanced treatment processes—such as ozonation units, activated carbon, and multi-stage flocculation and sedimentation systems—across all stages of intake, use, reuse, and discharge.

At this exhibition, SK hynix set up a booth under the theme "Water Loop" and showcased its water-saving and ecosystem conservation activities. Notably, the company presented community collaboration initiatives such as the "ECOSEE Citizen Science Program," where local residents observe ecosystem changes along the Anseongcheon River due to the construction of the Yongin Semiconductor Cluster and participate in building related data.

An SK hynix official stated, "We will continue to advance our water resource management system so as to use less water, which is essential for semiconductor production, and reuse as much water as possible," adding, "We also plan to steadily expand investments in process improvements and related technologies and facilities."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.