SAMSUNG SDI released Sustainability Report in June 2024. SAMSUNG SDI has been transparently disclosing related information by publishing Sustainability Report since 2003. We have clearly disclosed ESG related indicators and figures, such as greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, resource recycling rates, CSR participation and input cost. In 2024, SAMSUNG SDI is still sparing no efforts in ESG management under the vision of ‘ESG management lies at the core of our business growth strategy and offers a differentiating competitive edge’.

E: Environment

SAMSUNG SDI has declared ‘environment-friendly management’ in a bid to join global efforts to overcome the climate crisis with awareness of the current crisis’ severity. SAMSUNG SDI announced a package of environmental management strategies, including eight specific tasks under two themes - response to climate change and resource circularity - with an aim to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050.

The theme of ‘climate change response’ has four tasks: fully shifting to renewable energy, reducing direct greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, switching to zero-emission vehicles for all corporate fleet vehicles, expanding carbon footprint-certified products.

The theme of ‘resource circularity’ has four tasks: Increasing recovery of resources through battery recycling, minimizing waste landfill, reducing water consumption, and minimizing the use of single-use products.

SAMSUNG SDI’s progress on eight tasks is being disclosed with Sustainability Report every year.

S: Social 

SAMSUNG SDI strives for win-win growth by supporting its partners in strengthening their ESG capabilities and providing management advice to improve supply chain sustainability. To strengthen ESG capabilities, SAMSUNG SDI has established a code of conduct for partners and a responsible mineral procurement policy, and requires and supports partners to comply with them. For win-win growth, we are operating a partner council, advising partners on management, and providing financial support to partners. As a result of these efforts, in 2023, we received the highest rating in the ’Win-win Growth Index'* evaluation for the first time.

* Win-win Growth Index: It is an index calculated and publicly announced by the Korea Commission for Corporate Partnership every year by tallying up the comprehensive evaluation of win-win growth by the Korea Commission for Corporate Partnership and the performance evaluation of fair trade by the Korea Fair Trade Commission. 

Meanwhile, SAMSUNG SDI is bolstering our safety incident prevention system for our employees and on-site partners. To achieve zero injuries and accidents, our executives directly perform on-site checks on their responsible areas, and we perform theme-based monthly checks to identify and improve risk, provide regular and year round risk assessment and training.

G: Governance

SAMSUNG SDI operates the Compliance Program Management System to be in line with SAMSUNG’s management principle that values regulatory and ethical compliance (CPMS). The Compliance Team is headed by the Compliance Officer appointed by the Board of Directors. In 2023, we conducted company-wide online compliance training based on ‘the Compliance Control Regulations that specify basic procedures for our employees to follow in business conduct. Business compliance training is also provided to partners and help them strengthen their compliance management capabilities. 

We also implement a 24/7 system to report contacts made with industry peers to prevent cartel from occurring. It is mandatory for all our employees to report their participation in meetings, seminars, and exhibitions where they are likely to come into contact with industry peers, both before and after their attendance. 

Joining Global Initiatives and External Assessment 

SAMSUNG SDI voluntarily participates in global initiatives in various fields to strengthen its ESG management in order to conduct ESG management more systematically. 

SAMSUNG SDI has been recognized by various external assessment for its ESG management effort. We received an A in the ‘2023 MSDCI ESG Rating’ by Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI), a global firm providing equity indexes and investment decision support tools. SAMSUNG SDI was the first company to receive an A in 2019, and it has received an A for five consecutive years, including 2023. 

Furthermore, we were listed on the ‘DJSI World’ in 2023. Naming to the ‘DJSI World’ for 19 consecutive years is the longest record among Korean companies. The Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI) evaluates the global top 2,500 companies based on liquid market capitalization, and only top 10% companies among them can be listed to the ‘DJSI World’.

Detailed progress on SAMSUNG SDI’s ESG has been disclosed by publishing annual Sustainability Report. SAMSUNG SDI Newsroom will further deliver our ESG management status with up-coming [ESG] series.