SEOUL / DAEGU — SK Hynix, a global leader in memory semiconductor production, has unveiled remarkable milestones in its corporate water stewardship, announcing a daily reduction of 170,000 tons of industrial water across its domestic manufacturing plants. The breakthrough figures were showcased at the prestigious Korea International Water Week (KIWW) 2026, held in Daegu from September 9 to 11.

The daily water savings achieved by SK Hynix is equivalent to the daily domestic water consumption of approximately 550,000 citizens. Building upon these robust environmental achievements, the company has officially reinforced its long-term sustainability commitment: expanding cumulative water conservation to a staggering 600 million tons by the year 2030.

Driving Water Efficiency Through Innovation

Since establishing a dedicated Water and Wastewater Reduction Task Force in 2018, SK Hynix has systematically optimized water consumption across every stage of semiconductor fabrication. By the end of last year, the company's cumulative water savings reached 303.37 million tons, successfully surpassing its original target of 264 million tons. Building on this momentum, the enterprise aims to elevate its cumulative savings to 329 million tons by the close of this year.

Water recycling and reuse have emerged as cornerstone strategies in achieving these targets. Total recycled water volume surged by roughly 54 percent, rising from 47.88 million tons in 2022 to 73.59 million tons last year. Facilities have tailored their reuse frameworks to align closely with specific manufacturing demands.

Icheon Campus: Utilizes an advanced wastewater recycling facility to generate 94,400 tons of reusable water daily, supplying critical operations such as air pollution control systems.
Cheongju Campus: Pioneered South Korea's semiconductor sector by integrating externally treated municipal wastewater, transforming treated sewage into high-grade industrial water.

Holistic Lifecycle Management & Ecosystem Protection

SK Hynix’s environmental stewardship extends far beyond factory walls, encompassing a rigorous lifecycle management framework from raw water intake and utilization to recycling and final discharge. Advanced treatment methodologies—including ozone oxidation systems, activated carbon filtration, and multi-stage coagulation-sedimentation processes—ensure stringent wastewater purification before release. Continuous investments in cutting-edge pollutant reduction technology remain a core corporate priority.

At the KIWW 2026 exhibition, SK Hynix’s pavilion—themed "Circulating Water"—immerses visitors in dynamic visual displays illustrating water circulation loops, conservation metrics, and biodiversity preservation initiatives. Notable among these community-focused efforts is the "ECOSEE Citizen Science Program" along the Anseongcheon Stream, designed to monitor ecological transformations surrounding the upcoming Yongin Semiconductor Cluster. By engaging local citizens in direct flora, avian, and aquatic surveys, SK Hynix fosters transparent, data-driven environmental governance.

“Water is an indispensable resource for semiconductor manufacturing, yet our commitment to minimizing consumption and maximizing reuse remains unwavering,” an SK Hynix spokesperson stated. “We will continue to advance our comprehensive water management systems through continuous process innovation and strategic environmental investments.”