PTI complies with regulatory requirements and is devoted the corporate mission of environmental protection by enforcing preventive measures against wastewater, waste, air pollution, and noise. The “Environment, Safety and Health Policy” is established and enforced. PTI TW passed the qualification for ISO 14001 Environmental Management Systems in 2003 and has been following the said standard in monitoring pollution prevention and control equipment and the recycling of waste resources in order to consolidate and enforce the prevention against environmental pollution and conservation of resources. Meanwhile, recycling and reutilization continue to be adopted as the treatment options in order to reduce emissions and the amount of waste produced, working towards a model that enhances the circular economy value chain.

Waste Management

PTI properly takes care of waste generated during operation according to law. Besides reduction at the source and searching for alternative materials to reduce the amount of waste generated, it embarked on a program that follows the circular economy model. Recycling and regeneration are adopted so that waste is effectively re-utilized. Collection, classification, reduction, and recycling for replace“landfill” so that waste becomes resources. For example, disposable dining ware is no longer used in catering service; the online sign-off system is developed to reduce the use of paper; buffer materials used during shipment and the packaging process are recycled and re-utilized and empty barrels of raw materials are recycled and re-utilized, among others.

Perimeter Noise Prevention

PTI Taiwan commissions a third-party to measure and analyze perimeter noise on an annual basis. We continue monitor noise caused by site activities and equipment, to ensure that the noise is under the limitation of regulated perimeter noise. The Hsinpu Plant (Plant 1) is located in a residential area. To improve the living quality of the neighborhood, we installed noise sensors in the area to provide 24/7 real-time monitoring.

Air Pollution Prevention

PTI strictly controls the use of chemicals in its processes. Moreover, air pollutants generated during the production process of machinery are collected through enclosed systems. Source segregation concepts are implemented in the treatment methods, with special gases pre-treated by front-end exhaust treatment equipment and subsequently diverted through pipelines to rear-end air pollution control equipment for final treatment. This effectively reduces emission concentrations to meet emission standards. We have installed complete air pollution control equipment based on the characteristics of the exhaust gas (such as zeolite concentrating runners, regenerative incinerators, direct-fired incinerators, activated carbon, scrubbers, etc.). Air pollution-related emission data are tested on a regular basis every year to ensure compliance with emission standards, and to prevent the adverse effects of air pollution on surrounding air quality, habitats, and human and animal health.

Waste Management Target

■ Non-hazardous waste recycling rate reaches 80%.
■ Waste intensity reduction target: annual waste intensity is reduced by 1% year by year compared to 2018, the base year.

Waste Generated

In 2023, PTI generated a total of 6,367.41 metric tons of waste, all of which were properly cleared and handled by qualified cleaning contractors upon departure. Of this total, 2,275.92 metric tons consisted of hazardous waste, primarily generated from the process of cleaning wafers. The remaining 4,091.49 metric tons consisted of non-hazardous waste, primarily generated from the sludge produced during wastewater treatment processes. Aimed at reducing environmental impact, through actively seeking recycling and reuse channels, the non-hazardous waste recycling rate (including energy recovery) reached 91.5% in 2023.



 

Circular Economy and Waste Reduction Actions

The waste generated from the production process within the factory is managed not only by seeking alternatives to reduce waste at the source and minimize its generation but also by adopting a circular economy approach. This involves effectively recycling waste by reducing, collecting, sorting, and recycling it for reuse instead of incineration or landfill disposal. This practice aims to reduce waste and create value through a circular economic model.

Waste Liquid Purification and Recycling

In 2023, 438.4 metric tons of waste liquid output from the photoresist coating process were segregated and collected in the factory before a partner manufacturer was commissioned to purify the main recycled material by distillation before making it into inferior industrial products, which can be used as paint or as a thinner for surface coatings.

Recycling of Precious Metals from Waste Liquid

In 2023, the total amount of precious metal waste liquid generated from the electroplating and etching processes amounted to 182.5 metric tons. After being collected and segregated within the factory, this waste liquid is entrusted to collaborating partners for extraction and reduction processes. Through methods such as extraction and oxidation-reduction, the precious metals in the waste liquid are precipitated into ingots or flakes, which are then provided for use in metal smelting and product manufacturing. Alternatively, these metals can be recycled into secondary industrial chemicals (such as copper sulfate crystals, tin hydroxide or nickel hydroxide) utilized by the chemical industry and the basic metals manufacturing sector.

Chemical Drum Recycling

In 2023, we initiated a program with 6 chemical suppliers to implement the recycling of chemical drums. After the chemical materials are used, the empty drums are returned to the original suppliers for refilling with materials and then sent back to us for reuse at PTI.