Samsung Electronics to Install Pilot Facility at Pyeongtaek Campus in December to Reduce PFAS in Semiconductor Wastewater

Pyeongtaek City Holds Fourth Public-Private-Industry-Academia Consultative Body Meeting
Plans to Operate Full-Scale Facility by August 2027
Civic Groups Request Dedicated Communications Channel
Trial Runs of Discharge Water Cooling Facility to Assess Effect on River Temperatures

Samsung Electronics will install a pilot facility at its Pyeongtaek campus by December to reduce per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in wastewater generated during semiconductor manufacturing. After conducting pilot tests, the company plans to begin operating a full-scale facility by August 2027.

From left: Park Hajin, head of Samsung Electronics’ Pyeongtaek Environment Group; Kim Gyeongho, member of the Pyeongtaek Council for Sustainable Development; Son Euiyeong, chair of the Environmental Citizens’ Union; Jo Seungja, chair of the Tongbokcheon Lovers’ Association; Jo Jonggeon, head of the Pyeongtaek Citizens’ Environmental Alliance; Jeon Myeongsu, head of the Seopyeongtaek Environmental Committee; Park Inbeom, head of the Ecological River Division; Kim Wanyeong, head of the Water Quality Improvement Team; and head of the DS External Cooperation Part. Photo provided by Pyeongtaek City.

Pyeongtaek City, Gyeonggi Province (Mayor Choi Wonyong), said on November 11 that it had held the fourth meeting of a public-private-industry-academia consultative body on semiconductor wastewater management at Samsung Electronics’ Pyeongtaek campus on November 10. More than 20 people attended, including representatives from Pyeongtaek City, Samsung Electronics, civic environmental groups and the local community.

At the meeting, Samsung Electronics announced its schedule for introducing treatment technology to reduce PFAS in wastewater. Members of civic groups asked the company to establish a dedicated communications channel at the campus so that the local community could regularly share its views on wastewater management. Samsung Electronics said it would strengthen communication with the community to reflect these views.

The meeting also discussed calls to introduce a zero liquid discharge system that would prevent wastewater from being released into rivers. Samsung Electronics explained options such as reusing sewage, taking into account the potential impact on river ecosystems. Committee members urged the company to continue reviewing ways to manage pollutants not covered by current regulations and treatment technologies that could improve environmental outcomes.

Construction is underway on a facility to lower the temperature of discharged water, with operations targeted to begin next spring. The facility will undergo trial runs from December 2026 through February 2027. Pyeongtaek City and Samsung Electronics will assess during the trial period how effectively the facility lowers the temperature of the river receiving the discharged water. They will also consider expanding student and Samsung Electronics employees’ family participation in the “One Company, One Stream” program on Seojeongri Stream, and increasing the number of activities in collaboration with civic groups.

Representatives from Pyeongtaek City, Samsung Electronics, and civic environmental groups discuss measures to reduce per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in semiconductor wastewater and progress on facilities to lower the temperature of discharged water at the fourth meeting of Pyeongtaek City's public-private-industry-academia consultative body, held on the 10th at Samsung Electronics' Pyeongtaek campus. Photo provided by Pyeongtaek City.

The head of Pyeongtaek City’s Ecological River Division said, “We hope the public-private-industry-academia consultative body will serve as a forum for constructive communication that addresses concerns about semiconductor wastewater and builds trust,” adding, “We will develop it into a sustainable environmental management model.”

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