■ Polish Ministry of Economic Development and Technology held the Entrepreneur’s Day event in Warsaw, Poland on June 22 (local time)

■ SK hi-tech battery materials Poland was awarded in recognition of the company’s contribution to local economic development and cooperation with local community

■ The company said to enhance its efforts to cooperate with local society while expanding its Lithium-ion Battery Separator (LiBS) business

SK hi-tech battery materials Poland (SKBMP), which represents SK IE Technology (SKIET)’s production base in Poland, was honored to be the “Sustainability Leader” at the Polonica Progressio Awards, an event held on the Entrepreneur’s Day by the Polish Ministry of Economic Development and Technology on June 22 (local time).

Presented for the first time in 2022 by Waldemar Buda, Minister of Polish Ministry of Economic Development and Technology, the Polonical Progressio Awards aim to honor the entrepreneurs that contribute to Polish economic and social development. There are seven categories, which are: Foreign Investor, Exporter, Innovator, Family Business, Community Activist, Sustainability Leader, and Special Award.

Among seven categories, SKBMP was honored to be the “Sustainability Leader” this year for its contributions to the development of Polish economy and society based on its efforts for eco-friendly management and mutual growth with local community. The award was delivered by Minister Waldemar Buda and Grzegorz Piechowiak, Secretary of State in the Ministry of Economic Development and Technology.

This award shows that the Polish government has been highly evaluated the sustainability of SKIET’s battery separator business in Silesia Province, which is accelerating the transition to an eco-friendly economy centering on the electric vehicle value chain.

SKBMP has been consistently engaged in various ESG activities across different fields since they started operating in 2021. The company participated in industry-academic cooperations with three local technical schools in Silesia Province to contribute to job creation, It also engaged in multiple activities including donations to social welfare institutions, volunteering, supporting cultural events like Michał Spisak International Music Competition, and so on.

Meanwhile, the company is taking the lead in ESG management as well to enhance the sustainability of its battery separator production plants. In 2021 and 2022, it achieved RE100, which means 100% of its plants uses renewable energy such as solar and wind power to operate.

Minister Waldemar Buda shared that “Through the efforts of entrepreneurs, Poland has achieved GDP growth of around 44% and reduced unemployment in 10 years, making the country a much more attractive place for investment,” and showed his appreciation to the contribution of the entrepreneurs.

“I am glad to receive this award, which proves that we received high evaluation of not only various mutual growth activities but also our stable supply of separators, a key component of battery materials for electric vehicles,” said Park Byoung-chul, CEO of SKBMP. “We will continue to carry out sustainable management to become Korea’s representative company recognized by the local community,” he added.

[Photos]

(Photo 1) Grzegorz Piechowiak, Secretary of State in the Ministry of Economic Development and Technology (right) gave the “Leader of sustainable development” award to Park Byoung-chul, CEO of SK hi-tech battery materials Poland (left) to honor SKBMP’s contribution at the Polonica Progressio awards ceremony of the Entrepreneur’s Day, held in Warsaw, Poland on June 22 (local time).

(Photo 2) Park Byoung-chul, CEO of SK hi-tech battery materials Poland (left) took a commemorative photo after received the “Leader of sustainable development” award at the Polonica Progressio awards ceremony of the Entrepreneur’s Day, held in Warsaw, Poland on June 22 (local time).

(Photo 3) Waldemar Buda, Minister of Polish Ministry of Economic Development and Technology (second from right), Park Byoung-chul, CEO of SK hi-tech battery materials Poland (center) and other representatives took a commemorative photo after The Polonica Progressio awards ceremony of the Entrepreneur’s Day, held in Warsaw, Poland on June 22 (local time).