UPC Technology Corporation (UPC) is a global enterprise, and we are deeply aware of the inextricable connection between the economy, environment, and society. To fulfill our corporate social responsibility as a global citizen and a corporate citizen, we are committed to energy saving and carbon reduction, pollution prevention, and continuous improvement of energy conservation efforts, in order to achieve the energy saving goals. The air pollution and water pollution tests conducted by our company have shown results that fall far below the permissible values, creating no significant impact or influence on the environment and biodiversity.   Since 2013, our company has been promoting greenhouse gas emission verification operations, and has passed the third-party greenhouse gas emissions verification of ISO14064-1. We have subsequently established a greenhouse gas verification system, and obtained the British Standards Institute (BSI) international certification.   In September 2022, we signed the Net Zero Emission Declaration with the members of the Taiwan Chemical Industry Association (TCIA) to promote the net zero emission, in alliance with government and society, towards the goal of net zero emission in 2050.

1. Materials management
   • Raw materials management:
     The main raw materials of UPC are chemical raw materials, while the auxiliary materials are general purpose chemical auxiliary materials. We require suppliers of bulk materials to provide relevant test reports. Our company itself does not use raw materials from conflict mineral sources. The raw materials used are all non-renewable materials.
     
     
   • Recycling and reutilization of packaging materials:
     UPC has the obligation to recycle the packaging materials of sold products. The recycling of packaging materials is based on customer requirements and in accordance with the requirements of toxic chemical operations, while the recycling rate varies depending on the client’s recycling policy.
     
     
2. Air pollution prevention
   As part of the development of green chemistry, UPC has installed environmental protection equipment, such as: volatile organic gas incinerators and process gas incineration equipment, which are effective in improving air pollution.
   
   
3. Water resource management
   The water used in the UPC Linyuan Plant comes from the Fengshan Reservoir of the Taiwan Water Corporation. We encourage water management and recycled water reuse, where the recycled water comes from water treatment activated carbon tank backwash water. There are two types of recycled water at the Linyuan Plant:
   
   • FA plant’s wastewater is concentrated and then the spent acid water pumped back to the FA farm for reuse.
   • Process-generated wastewater is distilled and then pumped back to the site for reuse. It is used as by-product water, recirculated tank water, and vacuum pump water source.

    

   UPC also effectively controls the discharge of pollutants to maintain the company’s environmental protection cost. The wastewater from the Linyuan Plant is treated and discharged into the main wastewater pond of the plant. After being mixed and clarified, the wastewater is discharged into the Linyuan Industrial Park Combined Wastewater Treatment Plant for treatment before being discharged into the sea. The sludge is transported and treated by qualified operators. The quality of the wastewater discharged is checked daily by the company itself, sample test is carried out at the Linyuan Industrial Park Combined Wastewater Treatment Plant every month, and external operators are commissioned for the water quality monitoring annually. The test results have all met the wastewater discharge standards set by the competent authority, showing no significant impact on the biodiversity of water bodies and habitats.

    

4. Waste management
   Our products comply with the regulations on the control of hazardous substances, and we implement impact assessment on health and safety; the products are labeled in accordance with the GHS regulations, and users are provided with safety data sheets in accordance with the law. The transportation of raw materials to the plant and the shipment of finished products are carried out by the suppliers and customers themselves or by contracted transport companies, so there is no significant environmental impact or negative impact during the transportation process. The Linyuan Plant prioritize process recycling and reuse to reduce waste from the source. For wastes that cannot be recycled or reused, we comply with environmental protection laws and regulations, and entrust legal operators to transport, incinerate, and bury such wastes. No severe leakage related incidents occurred during the reporting period.

Since 2013, UPC Linyuan Plant has been promoting greenhouse gas emission verification operations, and has passed the third-party greenhouse gas emissions verification of ISO14064-1. We have subsequently established a greenhouse gas verification system, and obtained the British Standards Institute (BSI) international certification. Our greenhouse gas emissions are mainly calculated using the “emission coefficient method”. However, if the emission sources, such as urea, acetylene, septic tank and refrigerant, cannot be calculated by the emission coefficient method, then the “mass balance method” is used instead.

Economic over-exploitation has led to the greenhouse effect and rising sea temperatures. Changes in the Pacific Ocean currents have resulted in El Niño effects and an increase in the frequency of heavy rains and droughts. Extreme rainfall will increase the risk of flooding, while prolonged droughts will affect industries with high water consumption, resulting in disruptions in supply and production, which will affect the normal operation of the entire industry chain. In order to reduce business risks caused by climate change and enhance our future competitiveness, UPC has developed a number of strategies to address this issue.

UPC is committed to clean production and industrial waste reduction. The process area of the Linyuan Plant is included in the industrial safety and environmental protection monitoring area of the Linyuan Industrial Park Monitoring Center. If any abnormality occurs, it will be handled immediately. Meetings are also held regularly to review the system connection rate, in order to minimize the impact of the Linyuan Plant on the neighboring communities. We have also completed the health risk assessment and testing of the “Linyuan Industrial Park Neighboring Resident Health Risk Assessment and Testing Program” to ensure a safer living environment and better quality of life for the residents in the neighborhood.

To improve equipment efficiency, UPC Linyuan Plant carries out regular maintenance and continuous improvement of energy-saving measures, as well as give priority to purchasing products with energy-saving labels and the Energy Star. Relevant personnel are required to receive annual training on the operation of major energy-using equipment in order to raise the awareness for energy conservation.

• Total water recovery rate reached 98.94%.
• In the last 7 years, the electricity savings rate has consistently exceeded the 1% reduction target set by the EA for major electricity consumers.
• Replacement of LED lamps in the process area reached 30%; in the administrative area reached 80%.
• Since 2022, a series of ESG events and courses have been organized, gradually introducing the concept of ESG to employees through mentorship programs and implementing it into their daily actions.

For more details and performance, please feel free to contact us through Stakeholder Contact Channels.