Issue Date：July 26, 2018
In support of the sustainability thought across the world, we began promoting green product actions in 2004, with green design, green process, and green transportation as the main features of our green product management system. Apart from promoting green product development, we enable more products to pass Green Mark certification to meet the goal of sustainable development.
Green Design
Environmental Footprint Inventory
In 2017, we inventoried the environmental footprint of the 8-inch tablet backlight module. The results show that the carbon footprint (CFP) of our products is 1.42 KgCO2e/g (i.e. the CFP of each gram of product is 1.42kgCO2e). As carbon emissions caused by electricity use are up to 61.28% at the raw materials and waste stages, we decided to find space for improvement through production energy conservation, combined with a wide variety of energy conservation measures, and communicate the need for energy conservation to materials suppliers in order to effectively reduce the environmental footprints.
Package Reduction Design
To continuously promote energy conservation and carbon reduction, we began implementing packaging material verification in 2014, and using the following green packaging materials and packaging optimization in 2017.
Molded Pulp
Molded pulp is made of recycled waste paper. In 2017 Q1, we began verifying molded paper packaging materials with the drop test and the storage test. After passing the tests, it will be used in packaging. Such kind of natural, non-toxic, lead free, decomposable, pollution free, and waste free buffering material can effectively reduce the variety packaging materials and the quantity of packaging. Along with soy ink printing and package simplification, everything is eco-friendly. In 2017, the proportion of molded pulp used has reached 12%.
Design-Size Reduction
To enhance transportation and loading rate by minimizing storage space, we reduced the package size, enhanced container performance, and make product stackable We completed two package design optimization projects in 2017, with an output target to be achieved in 2018. Take the package of the image product T1 platform for example. The design optimization has enhanced transportation and loading rate by 33% and 40% in air and sea transportation, respectively. Take the digital writing product for example. The stackable design has maximized the product loading rate and enhanced transportation rate by 40%.
Education and Training
To enhance and optimize the efficiency of energy-saving products, and merge the eco-friendly, energy-saving, and 3R (reduce, recycle, reuse) concept into the design and development of products, so as to continuously develop energy-saving products, we arranged 15 courses related to green solutions. 281 persons received the courses, totaling 865 man-hours.
Energy-saving Design
Projectors and Visual Solution
- The safe auto off function includes: Automatically shut off without input signals and sleep mode.
- Electricity consumption in the standard operation mode and standby mode complies with the energy-efficiency standard specified by the Environmental Protection Administration.
- Reducing the design of back-end process (electroplating, paint spraying, and printing) of products.
- To enhance product EER, we sold 8 products with electricity consumption far below the regulatory requirements, saving 460.249*109 J each year.
- Use of LED and laser eco-friendly solid-state illumination (SSI) and other mercury-free materials for a completely mercury-free projector.
- Compared to traditional short throw projectors, projectors using LED and laser SSI have a five-time longer life without the need of bulb replacement to reduce environmental protection.
Interactive Collaboration Solution
- The "Laser Ultra-wide Touch System" and "Image Blending Touch System" can be used in the conference room and classroom without whiteboard markers and chalks to significantly enhance collaboration and interaction. In addition, this solution is certainly eco-friendly and easily achieve energy conservation and carbon reduction.
- Use RoHS materials.
- The power consumption of products under 138'' complies with USB 2.0 (power output<2.5W).
- Earn Innovative Product Awards from Hsinchu Science Park Bureau, Ministry of Science and Technology for the 2nd consecutive year.
Backlight Module
- High-color energy saving technology: LCD displays supporting the full array local dimming backlight module can adjust the backlight brightness of corresponding areas according to the display contents and shut down areas that have no display to save energy up to 50%.
- Thin direct backlight module technology: Combining components carrying the optical features of diffusing and refractory lens, we reduce product thickness and broadened LED light distribution to reduce the thickness of the backlight module by 61.9%.
- Lightweight product design: By reducing the area of plastic frame and making a hollow back plate design, we reduced product thickness by 35% and product weight by 46%. In 2017, we produced a total of 304,034 13-inch products, reducing a total weight of 19,123kg and emissions of 39,394.9 kgCO2e.
Green Process
At Corecentric, we continue to promote clean production and reduce pollution to improve environmental protection and lower costs to enhance economic efficiency, in order to pursue sustainable business. Clean production refers to “persistently apply integrated and preventive environmental strategies in processes, products, and services to enhance eco-efficiency and reduce hazards on human beings and the environment.” Upholding our responsibility for products and the environment, and aiming to pursue eco-efficiency and sustainable development, we save energy, reduce the use of hazardous substances, reduce the production and emission of pollutants, dispose industrial waste and recycle resources, update design concepts by including environmental factors in design and service provision through the management of materials, equipment, gauges and tools, consumables, personnel, and the operating environment.
1. Cleaner Production
In 2016, Tainan Branch Office earned Certificate of Cleaner Production Assessment from the Industrial Development Bureau, Ministry of Economic Affairs. After the accreditation by competent authorities and experts, we passed the accreditation and obtained a certificate with a score of 92.59 points. Apart from continuing resources conservation, green process, source control of pollutants, eco-design, and green management, we implemented CSR and other management measures. We also improved the environment and safety of chemical storage and production areas, enhanced waste and packaging materials recovery rate, implemented voluntary GHG inventory, and passed third-party assurance in 2017. In the 2017 self-assessment based on the assessment system, our score was 95.65 points, 3.06 points higher than 2016. Take the INP08162 for example, the clean production results are as follows:
+ 0.88 minutes
+10.64%
-705 hours
2. Light Guide Plate
- Reduced material use and changed the maintenance frequency. In 2017, we saved ink by 13% to reduce costs at NT$1,032,188 and emissions by 93.9 kgCO2e.
- Reduced electricity consumption in roll to roll hot embossing through process temperature adjustments to save electricity up to 23.3% each time. In 2017, we saved electricity by 339.76 kWh and reduced emissions by 179.7kgCO2e.
3. Strategies for Reducing the Impacts on the Environment
- Packaging materials re-use: In 2017, the production unit of Coretronics recovered 90.32% of trays, 100% of pallets, and 92.05% of plastic mats; and Young Lighting recovered 87% of cartons, 83% of pallets and 78% of plastic packaging materials.
- Circular economy collaboration: We recovered pallets for re-use in logistics in collaboration with local transporters. In 2017, we recovered 192,990kg of wooden pallets and reduced emissions by 397,559.4 kgCO2e.
- Waste tracking and cleaner management: Every year we perform onsite audits on the legal compliance and back-end processing capacity of waste cleaners and disposers according to the waste disposal management SOP to ensure that waste is legally and properly disposed of. In 2017, we completed the audit on the disposers of food oil re-use, waste electronic components, and hazardous waste.
Green Transportation
To pursue sustainable business, we deliver products to customers on time and offer localized and regionalized maintenance and repair services. Apart from shortening the transportation time of products for maintenance and repair, we reduce carbon emissions from product transportation to protect ecology and the environment.
Before 2016, parts required by service locations in the UK and Germany were shipped from Mainland China to those points with different flights. To reduce the transportation distance of parts required for maintenance and repair, in 2016 we began to ship all parts required for maintenance and repair required by European countries from Mainland China to the UK to forward the required parts to service locations in Germany.
In 2017, the UK sent 10 shipments to service locations in Germany and save about 7,500km of transportation each time and about 75,000km in a year.
Besides, in order to achieve low carbon efficiency and resource reuse, Coretronic is also planning to provide localized maintenance of components to replace the repair services in our plants of China now.
