Air Emissions Management
In addition to complying with regulations, Samsung Electronics minimizes the environmental impact of emissions from semiconductor manufacturing by setting up and operating pollution prevention facilities to mitigate the impact of air pollutants and processing facilities to minimize emissions. Through these efforts, we have reduced the emissions of hazardous substances by 40% as compared to 2001.
Real-time Management through
Smokestack Automatic Measuring Devices
To efficiently operate air pollution prevention facilities and to immediately resolve
problems, we measure air pollutant levels emitted from our plants by using smokestack
automatic measuring devices in real time. We strictly control pollutant emission density at less than 30% of the acceptable limit and transfer measurement data to administrative agencies in real time.
NOx Reduction Activities
The air pollutant NOx has been eliminated from the manufacturing process and LNG boilers. To minimize NOx emission and comply with permissible emission amounts for capital areas, since 2010, the Samsung Semiconductor Division has overhauled old facilities and deployed high-quality prevention equipment in existing facilities. The division also undertakes activities to reduce LNG usage. As a result of such initiatives, LNG usage has declined up to 30% from 2009 levels.
Chemical Substance Emission Control
Samsung Electronics annually inspects chemical substance emissions. We inspect and manage the volume of chemicals emitted into the environment (air, water, and soil) and emissions mixed in wastewater and solid wastes.
The amount of chemical substances used increased 3.9 times in 2010, as compared to 2001. However, through continuous investment in air pollution prevention facilities and process improvements, environmental emissions decreased by a whopping 58% during the same period. Chemical substances emitted in the air contain isopropanol, hydrogen chloride, and hydrogen fluoride, but do not contain carcinogens and hazardous substances that have a toxic effect on reproductive health.
We participated in the Study on Chemical Substance Risk Communication organized by the KCMA from September 2008 to April 2009, during which we verified emissions data and conducted an initial risk assessment of hydrogen chloride in the Hwaseong complex. The result of the risk assessment confirmed that there was no significant impact on human health or the environment.
Signatory to Voluntary Agreement
The Giheung factory signed a voluntary agreement (30/50 Program) for chemical emissions reduction with the Han River Basin Environmental Office on June 25, 2009. The agreement is a program among businesses, civic groups, and the government to reduce chemical emissions by 30% in 3 years and by 50% in 5 years, respectively.
Isopropanol (IPA) emissions comprise the largest portion of emissions from the Giheung factory. We plan to cut IPA emissions by 30% by 2011 and by 50% by 2013 from the 2007 level by optimizing the efficiency of the emissions treatment system and improving the manufacturing process.
Example of Chemical Emissions Reduction
Improvements in Emissions Treatment Systems :
- Improved treatment efficiency by introducing a multi-scrubber
- Improved nozzles and fillers of current scrubbers
- Set up a deodorization tower at the wastewater treatment facility
Reduction of chemical usage: Reduced the usage of :
- Ammonia by improving processes
- IPA by using a substitute
- Methanol by recycling waste IPA as a carbon source
Reduction of waste movement :
- Reduced waste movement by sending chemical containers back to suppliers
Waste Water Management
The Samsung Semiconductor Division operates wastewater disposal facilities and strictly maintains the emission density of discharged water at under 10% of legal criteria. As a Ministry of Environment designated environment-friendly enterprise, Samsung reviews the environmental impact beginning at the R&D stage for introducing new materials, introducing environment-friendly procedures, and building processing facilities that optimally process water pollutants before discharging them to preserve the ecology of our lakes and rivers.
Samsung ultimately aims for a zero-defect water quality management system. To this end, Samsung has set up TMS (Tele-Monitoring System) in 2008 to monitor and analyze the quality of discharged water and report results to local public offices in real time.
The Samsung Semiconductor Division regularly analyzes heavy metals to check the emission density and impact on toxicity of general water pollutants. It operates a monitoring system for the ecosystems of water discharged from the company and rainwater.
Samsung is working to respond to environment regulations, which are becoming stricter, by strengthening its ability to analyze eco-toxicity (daphnia magna ).
Current status of BIO TMS related to Green Center waste water
treatment plant construction.
To promote a green enterprise and preserve the environment, the Device Solution business of Samsung Electronics has also constructed its first enterprise ecological toxicity monitoring system to measure and monitor the ecological toxicity of final effluents from its plants.
The DS(Device Solution) division of Samsung Electronics operates its own wastewater treatment facility. A constant water temperature must be maintained for the facility's microbial treatment methods. Although the water temperature is strictly maintained to within legal effluent quality standards, the company has also set up a water temperature reduction facility to tackle the effects of the wastewater discharge on the river's ecosystem The water temperature reduction facility lowers water temperature using cold water (that requires a heat source) and heat exchange. By applying a heat source to the cold water, we expect to reduce energy use.
