Skip to content
  • Our Efforts to Achieve
    a Circular Economy
    Our Efforts to Achieve
    a Circular Economy
    Our Efforts to Achieve
    a Circular Economy
    A close-up image of a dense, textured moss-covered surface in shades of green and brown, symbolizing earth and sustainability.
Reducing resource waste and adding value to waste Reducing resource waste and adding value to waste Reducing resource waste and adding value to waste

The industrial revolution enabled mass production and consumption, but the waste generated annually poses a significant burden on our planet. Unlike the traditional linear economy model, which involves extracting resources, producing products, and disposing of them after use, the circular economy focuses on maximizing resource use and minimizing waste. This approach aims to continuously use and recycle products, designing them to be reused as much as possible in order to reduce resource waste and minimize environmental impact.

Efforts to Expand the Scope of 'Circular Resource' Recognition Efforts to Expand the Scope of 'Circular Resource' Recognition Efforts to Expand the Scope of 'Circular Resource' Recognition
An infographic showing the expansion of certified circular economy products and waste reduction from 2022 to 2023.

The Circular Resource Recognition System, implemented since 2018, recognizes waste as resources and exempts it from waste regulations if it meets the criteria set forth in the "Act on Promotion of Transition to a Circular Economy Society“* such as not being harmful to human health and the environment. In December 2019, the Onyang site received the first recognition of 'circular resource' from the Geumgang River Basin Environmental Office under this system. In 2023, an additional six items, including Solder Ball containers from the Onyang site, were recognized as circular resources. This has led to a reduction of 2,243 tons of waste annually at Samsung Semiconductor‘s domestic sites.

* The "Act on Promotion of Transition to a Circular Economy Society," which replaced the Resource Circulation Act on December 31, 2022, is in effect as of 2024.
Achieved Certification for Circular Resource Product Labeling System Achieved Certification for Circular Resource Product Labeling System Achieved Certification for Circular Resource Product Labeling System
An infographic showing the recycling process of IC trays, including stages of reprocessing, flake production, pellet formation, and reformation into new IC trays.

Samsung Semiconductor is committed to establishing processes for resource circulation. For example, at the Onyang site, IC Trays that are discarded are separated, stored to avoid contamination, and then sent back to the IC Tray manufacturer. There, they undergo a process to be used as raw material and are reborn as new IC Trays. Samsung Semiconductor purchases and uses these recycled IC Trays.

This effort has been recognized, and starting in 2024, IC Trays will be certified under the Circular Resource Product Labeling System. This system labels products as circular resource products if they use at least 10% of circular resources in their raw materials. Samsung Semiconductor is committed to continuously expanding the use of circular resource products in the future.

Samsung Semiconductor is committed to continuously uncovering the value of waste and transforming it into valuable resources. Samsung Semiconductor is committed to continuously uncovering the value of waste and transforming it into valuable resources. Samsung Semiconductor is committed to continuously uncovering the value of waste and transforming it into valuable resources.

Explore more about Sustainability

All