■ Seosan and Yancheng 1 factories become the first SK On plants to achieve Platinum-level certification

■ Certification highlights SK On’s commitment to ESG goals through waste reduction initiatives

SK On, a leading global electric vehicle battery and trading company, announced today that it has achieved the highest certification level from UL Solutions’ Zero Waste to Landfill (ZWTL) validation program for its facilities in South Korea and China.

UL Solutions, a global safety science leader, offers the ZWTL validation program to support organizations in measuring and qualifying their waste management efforts. This program certifies sites based on their recycling rates, with the goal of eliminating waste incineration and landfill disposal. It offers three certification levels: Platinum (99.5-100% recycling), Gold (95-99.5%), and Silver (90-95%).

SK On’s Seosan plant in South Korea received the Platinum certification in September, followed by China’s Yancheng Plant 1 in November. This certification is valid for one year, with annual renewal and level reassessment required for every year.

The achievement marks the first time an SK On facility has received UL Solutions’ highest certification level. In South Korea, SK On’s Seosan plant earned the recognition two years after being rated Gold in 2022. In China, Yancheng Plant 1 became SK On’s first global facility to be certified at this level, achieving the honor for its exemplary waste management system from the initial assessment.

Under its Safety, Health, and Environment (SHE) management framework, SK On has been steadily increasing the recycling rate of waste generated at its sites each year. In efforts to improve recycling rates, SK On analyzed recycling data by waste type and conducted simulation exercises. Moving forward, SK On plans to further strengthen waste management practices at its domestic and global facilities.

“This certification reflects SK On’s commitment to reducing waste across our facilities,” said Youngrok Jeon, Head of SHE at SK On. “We will continue to expand our SHE initiatives as part of our dedication to ESG management.”

[Photo] Panoramic view of SK On’s Seosan plant