This year, Samsung’s offices and business sites worldwide led environmental efforts within and beyond the company — from supporting biodiversity and advancing water stewardship to providing emergency drinking water for vulnerable communities.

Explore Samsung’s efforts to conserve water and protect resources for the future in the infographics below.

“Zero Waste to Landfill” is a claim validation program administered by UL Solutions, a global safety science company. Designations are determined by the percentage of waste diverted from landfills, serving as a key indicator of a company’s resource circularity efforts. Platinum represents a 100% landfill diversion rate, while Gold and Silver represent 95% to 99% and 90% to 94% respectively.

Since announcing its Environmental Strategy in 2022, focused on climate action and resource circularity, Samsung has steadily advanced sustainable management practices — repurposing waste generated at its sites into valuable resources and expanding other recycling initiatives worldwide.

Last year, all 10 business sites of the Device Solutions (DS) Division earned Platinum designation through integrated validation. This year in July, the Device eXperience (DX) Division’s Hungarian subsidiary, SEH-P, also achieved Platinum, marking the final step in securing Platinum status across all 22 domestic and overseas DX manufacturing sites.

▲ “Zero Waste to Landfill” Platinum designation for Samsung’s headquarters in Suwon, issued by UL Solutions

Samsung Electronics has established key directions for waste management — strengthening sorting systems, expanding reuse and increasing resource recovery — and has been implementing them through concrete initiatives.

Examples include introducing more refined waste separation systems within worksites and strengthening employee training to ensure thorough sorting.¹ Food waste and used paper are composted,² while general and construction waste is recycled into alternative fuels³ or basic raw materials.⁴ In addition, e-waste and battery residues are repurposed for solid fuel production.⁵ Through these efforts, Samsung has made steady progress toward its goal of achieving Zero Waste to Landfill.

▲ Plastic waste reduction training at Samsung Electronics’ SEHC subsidiary in Vietnam

Samsung is continuously developing technologies to recycle waste generated from semiconductor production processes into materials that can be reused in semiconductor manufacturing. For example, waste liquids are reused as a cleaning agent in scrubbers that reduce air pollutants and as water treatment agents in wastewater treatment facilities. In addition, adsorbents, activated carbon and catalysts used to control air pollutants undergo regeneration and are reused as raw materials for the same applications.

▲ Waste adsorbent regeneration process

Samsung recycled approximately 1.32 million tonnes of waste in 2024 — equivalent to 260,000 five-tonne waste trucks.

In addition to reducing waste at its worksites, Samsung has also repurposed by-products and discarded materials into new resources. The Galaxy S25, launched this year, has incorporated recycled cobalt extracted from previously used Galaxy smartphones and batteries discarded during the manufacturing process through Samsung’s Circular Battery Supply Chain. Discarded wafer trays from semiconductor manufacturing were recycled and applied to the Galaxy S25 series’ components as well.

Looking ahead, Samsung Electronics plans to further enhance systematic waste sorting and material-specific management to secure high-quality recycled resources and expand their application in products, strengthening its commitment to resource circularity.

Junhwa Lee, Executive Vice President and Head of Global EHS Office, DX Division at Samsung Electronics, highlighted the significance of the achievement as “a major milestone” in the company’s environmental management strategy, adding that the company will continue to apply innovation across all areas of its business to put sustainable management into practice.

More information on Samsung Electronics’ sustainability initiatives can be found on the Samsung Electronics Sustainability website.

¹ Subsidiaries in Hungary (SEH-P), Malaysia (SEMA), Brazil (SEDA-P(M)), Türkiye (SETK-P), etc.
² Subsidiaries in Thailand (TSE-P), India (SIEL-P(C)), Malaysia (SEMA), Mexico (SEM-P), etc.
³ Subsidiaries in Vietnam (SEHC), Malaysia (SEMA), the United States (SEHA), etc.
⁴ Subsidiaries in Vietnam (SEV, SEVT), etc.
⁵ Subsidiary in Indonesia (SEIN-P)

Directed by award-winning filmmaker Quentin van den Bossche, “Coral in Focus” follows scientists, engineers and local conservationists as they confront the urgent threats facing coral reefs — ecosystems that support up to a billion people and a quarter of all marine life. This work is part of a broader effort announced at Galaxy Unpacked in January 2025, where Samsung unveiled its partnership with Seatrees to support the restoration of coastal ecosystems with communities in Fiji, Indonesia and the United States, leveraging Galaxy camera technology to document and aid in the recovery of marine environments.

The documentary spotlights the urgent threats facing coral reefs and showcases how innovative technology and global collaboration can drive meaningful impact for marine ecosystems.

A Crisis Hidden Beneath the Surface

As ocean temperatures shattered records, more than 80% of the world’s reefs have suffered from mass bleaching. When corals bleach, they lose not just their color but their lifeblood — the algae that feed them. This crisis, largely invisible to the public, threatens biodiversity, food security and coastal resilience. Long-term climate action is crucial to safeguarding coral reefs, while short-term restoration efforts — informed and supported by innovative technology — can help them withstand rising ocean temperatures.

A Galaxy Smartphone That Sees Beneath the Waves

Samsung collaborated with Seatrees, a nonprofit dedicated to restoring marine ecosystems, and the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California, San Diego, a global leader in reef research, to pioneer a new frontier in coral restoration by exploring new, innovative solutions. Ocean Mode,² a specialized camera feature created specifically for this partnership, was developed, introduced and validated in real-world conditions in Indonesia and Fiji. This process has created a credible foundation for broader scientific use while improving the overall accessibility of this new technology.

By enabling more scientists, conservationists and even citizen scientists with the ability to photograph, map and monitor reefs, Ocean Mode can help restoration efforts scale, and make it possible for anyone to protect more reefs, in more places, with greater impact.

Innovation With Measurable Impact

Ocean Mode transforms the Galaxy S24 Ultra into a mobile marine research tool, enabling vivid, high-resolution image capture even in challenging underwater conditions. It corrects the excessive blue and green hues typical of underwater photography, allowing for a more accurate representation of coral health and diversity.

The camera adjusts shutter speed and leverages multi-frame image processing to reduce motion blur caused by water movement or diver activity, ensuring sharp, detailed images. With its interval shooting capability, the device can automatically capture thousands of images in a single dive, dramatically improving both efficiency and consistency. These images can then be used to generate 3D models of coral reefs using technology known as photogrammetry, giving researchers a powerful way to visualize and study the drivers of the structure and health of reefs over time.

Over the past year, the project has delivered extraordinary results. With these coral restoration initiatives, 17 3D models of coral reefs have been made with the help of scientists and Samsung to analyze the impact of coral restoration efforts and validate the precision of Galaxy devices for photogrammetry. In total, Seatrees project partners planted more than 14,046 coral fragments to restore 10,705 square meters of coral reef habitat.

A Premiere With Purpose

The “Coral in Focus” premiere at Ocean House, in partnership with Project Everyone, brought together scientists, storytellers and sustainability leaders for a powerful conversation on the role that technology and global collaboration play in the future of coral reefs.

▲ (From left) Alex Heath, Cassie Smith, Dr. Daniel Wangpraseurt, Michael Stewart and Quentin van den Bossche

▲ “Ocean Mode became its own character in the documentary,” said Quentin van den Bossche, director of “Coral in Focus.” “This helped us illustrate some of the complex, specific challenges that reef conservationists encounter. And showing the difference between photos taken with and without Ocean Mode helped ground the technology in something visual and even emotional. This is where the impact of partnerships among companies, research institutes and nonprofits truly comes to life.”

▲ Michael Stewart, co-founder of Seatrees, holds a Galaxy S24 Ultra to show Ocean Mode Year 1 impact metrics — about 14,046 coral fragments planted across three restoration sites.

“A key focus of the coral restoration efforts is being able to monitor what’s working and what’s not. And that starts with capturing high-quality images of our supported reefs,” said Michael Stewart, co-founder of Seatrees. “Our local partners have really appreciated Ocean Mode because it has improved their ability to capture higher-quality images with Galaxy phones to make the 3D models created by the scientists at Scripps more accurate.”

“Mobile technology is a powerful way to connect communities with ecosystems they may never physically encounter but are deeply tied to through climate, biodiversity and cultural heritage,” said Daniel Wangpraseurt, Ph.D., associate research scientist at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography. “Smartphones are now capable of taking high-resolution imagery to help generate more accurate 3D models. They also hold unique potential to increase the pace at which we share this information with people around the world who may never get to experience a coral reef themselves.”

▲ “Through our partnership with Seatrees, we saw how Galaxy technology could play a role not just in responsible sourcing but in supporting coral reef restoration,” said Cassie Smith, Senior Manager, Corporate Sustainability and U.S. Public Affairs at Samsung Electronics America. “The documentary tells that story beautifully — showing what happens when like-minded partners, engineers, scientists and local communities come together with shared purpose and the right tools.”

▲ Attendees of the “Coral in Focus” documentary premiere included Swati Thiyagarajan, award-winning documentary filmmaker, environmental journalist with the Sea Change Project and associate producer and production manager of the Academy Award-winning “My Octopus Teacher”; Titouan Bernicot, founder and CEO of Coral Gardeners and National Geographic Explorer; and Beverly Camhe, writer, producer and entertainment executive.

“It’s essential for the private sector to be involved and help get impactful solutions off the ground,” said Lefteris Arapakis, co-founder of Enaleia. “We need all parties working together to protect and scale ocean conservation efforts. I’m especially excited about Ocean Mode — tools like this make our work more efficient and help us create greater impact.”

“It was a beautiful film, and I love how it left us with a sense of hope and something we could do about the problem,” said Dana Habib, associate at the Institute for Integrated Transitions.

▲ Panelists and attendees discuss the “Coral in Focus” film and project.

The discussion was moderated by Alex Heath, Managing Director, U.S. Head of Social Impact & Sustainability at Edelman. The event also featured 3D reef models generated from photogrammetry data created with Galaxy S24 Ultras used in the field.

Exploring Ocean Conservation at UNOC

In addition to the premiere of “Coral in Focus,” Samsung representatives spoke on two panels hosted by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO-IOC) at the UNESCO-IOC “Beyond Borders: Ocean Futures” pavilion. First, Generation17 Young Leader José Francisco Ochoa spoke about the importance of digital technology and community partnership during the panel “Showcasing the Diversity of Ocean Literacy Practices Around the World,” where he shared insights on how Generation17 elevates his work to advance ocean literacy.

Samsung also participated in a panel discussion titled “The Role of Corals in Unlocking the Secrets of Biodiversity,” highlighting its commitment to marine conservation. Cassie Smith, Senior Manager of Corporate Sustainability and U.S. Public Affairs at Samsung Electronics, presented how Galaxy technology, including Ocean Mode, serves as a tool to support marine ecosystem protection through environmental monitoring, data collection and community engagement. The panel was part of a full day of programming held during UNOC that promotes ocean literacy and awareness of ocean preservation.

A Continued Commitment to Ocean Health

The collaboration with Seatrees builds on Samsung’s broader commitment to ocean health. Since 2022, the company has incorporated over 150 tonnes of recycled fishing nets into Galaxy devices. Now, with Ocean Mode, Samsung is redefining the role of mobile technology in climate action — expanding research capabilities, raising awareness and making the invisible visible.

To watch the full documentary and access more information about the initiative, visit the Samsung x Seatrees partnership landing page.

¹ Held every three to five years, UNOC serves as a global platform uniting governments, scientists, businesses and civil society to promote ocean action and implement Sustainable Development Goal 14: Life Below Water. The 2025 conference in Nice emphasizes scaling science-based solutions to protect marine ecosystems and ensure a sustainable future for the world’s oceans.
² Ocean Mode was exclusively developed for this project and is only available to participating partners.

Supporting Marine Ecosystems Through Global Collaboration

Introduced at Galaxy Unpacked in January 2025, Coral in Focus is an initiative launched last year that supports local communities, including Fiji, Indonesia and the United States, to restore coastal ecosystems.

Samsung has partnered with Seatrees, a nonprofit organization dedicated to restoring marine ecosystems, to explore new, innovative solutions for coral reef restoration. The company has introduced Ocean Mode¹ on the Galaxy S24 Ultra, an exclusive camera feature that enables vivid image capture even underwater. These images provide accurate visual data for marine researchers who create 3D photogrammetry models to continuously monitor and analyze coral reefs. Local partner organizations then use these findings to guide their on-site coral restoration efforts.

Ocean Mode: How Galaxy Camera Innovation Is Helping Restore Coral Reefs

Partners and local field teams use Ocean Mode to reduce the excessive blue tones common in underwater photography, allowing for a more accurate representation of coral colors. The feature also helps minimize motion blur through optimized shutter speed and multi-frame image processing. Additionally, the interval shooting function enables thousands of high-resolution coral images to be captured in a single session — improving both efficiency and image clarity.

With these coral restoration initiatives, photos taken with Ocean Mode have been used to produce 17 3D models of coral reefs to analyze the health and growth of reefs. In total, 11,046 coral fragments were planted to restore 10,705 square meters of coral reef habitat — roughly the size of 25 basketball courts.

Since unveiling its “Galaxy for the Planet” environmental vision in 2021, Samsung has continued its efforts toward a more sustainable future — not only by incorporating ocean-bound plastics from discarded fishing nets into its products but also by expanding into marine ecosystem restoration. These actions reflect the company’s ongoing commitment to reducing its environmental impact across the entire product life cycle and beyond.

¹ Ocean Mode was exclusively developed for this project and is only available to participating partners.

Previously confined to the imagination, this idea is now a reality with Samsung Electronics’ Circular Battery Supply Chain — an initiative that recovers and reuses key materials from the batteries of used Galaxy smartphones. The Galaxy S25 marks the first time this closed-loop battery recycling system has been applied to Samsung’s flagship lineup.

Samsung Newsroom spoke with Youngmin Kim from the Circular Economy Lab in the Global Environment, Health and Safety (EHS) Office and Sangcheul Lee from the Battery Group in the Mobile eXperience (MX) Business at Samsung Electronics to learn more about the development and impact of this project.

▲ (From left) Sangcheul Lee and Youngmin Kim

Used Galaxy Devices Reborn as Valuable Resources

Each year, approximately 200 tons of waste battery material were collected at Samsung’s production facilities in Vietnam. Countries with proper recycling infrastructure can repurpose used batteries for applications like electric vehicle batteries. Vietnam, however, lacked the means to do so. Recognizing the need for a sustainable solution, the company decided to address the issue.

“Samsung’s Vietnam facilities are among those that generate the highest volume of waste batteries, including defective units from the manufacturing process and batteries recovered from a factory that repairs Galaxy phones traded in from the United States,” said Youngmin Kim. “Our goal was to create a system that would allow us to recycle these resources and reintegrate them into our products.”

▲ Youngmin Kim explains the Circular Battery Supply Chain while showcasing cobalt and cathode materials.

To develop an efficient recycling process for Vietnam’s waste batteries, Samsung partnered with multiple companies to build an optimized resource circularity system that connected cobalt extraction plants with battery production lines in neighboring countries.

“For the Galaxy S24 series, we sourced recycled cobalt externally,” he explained. “However, with the Galaxy S25, we implemented a fully closed-loop recycling system that extracts cobalt directly from discarded Galaxy batteries.”

The collected waste batteries are processed into high-purity cobalt, then shipped to the battery production line where it is integrated into Galaxy S25 batteries. This process transforms electronic waste from used Galaxy devices into a valuable resource, supporting Samsung’s vision for a sustainable circular economy.

▲ Samsung’s Circular Battery Supply Chain in action

More specifically, the Circular Battery Supply Chain begins with collecting used Galaxy smartphones, followed by dismantling and discharging their batteries. These batteries are then shredded and processed into a fine powder known as “black mass.” This material is subsequently refined to extract cobalt — which is used to produce cathode materials, a key component of the Galaxy S25 battery.

The Endless Recyclability of Cobalt

Cobalt is essential for maintaining the stability and performance of lithium-ion batteries in smartphones. While lithium carries electrons within the battery, cobalt facilitates lithium’s movement to ensure optimal battery operation.

▲ Cobalt ore samples

“Cobalt does not degrade with battery use, meaning it can theoretically be recycled indefinitely,” said Lee. “Recycled cobalt and newly mined cobalt are virtually identical — so much so that the difference is indistinguishable in the manufacturing process.”

In essence, Galaxy devices containing cobalt can be recycled and repurposed regardless of their manufacturing date.

▲ Samsung’s Circular Battery Supply Chain on display at Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2025 in Barcelona

“The key to extracting high-purity cobalt lies in technology,” said Kim. “Through our Circular Battery Supply Chain, we have successfully recovered and utilized over 90% of the cobalt from the discarded batteries that have been collected.”

Half of the cobalt used in the Galaxy S25 batteries comes from recycled sources — a strong testament to Samsung’s environmental strategy and commitment to reducing its environmental impact while maintaining premium product quality.

The Road to a Reliable and Efficient Circular Supply Chain

Nonetheless, establishing the Circular Battery Supply Chain was no easy feat as the batteries were required to meet stringent global safety and environmental regulations.

▲ Sangcheul Lee explains the certification management process.

“We had to engage with numerous partner companies, navigating complex and rigorous procedures,” recalled Lee. “To prevent fire hazards during transport, the batteries had to be crushed and obtaining the necessary certifications to comply with relevant environmental regulations took considerable time.”

“With constantly evolving regulations and Samsung’s exceptionally high internal standards, we underwent multiple rounds of reviews and certifications,” he added. “Despite the challenges, we persisted as a team and successfully implemented the system in the Galaxy S25.”

Samsung’s Evolving Vision for a Circular Economy

“I felt a great sense of pride when our Circular Battery Supply Chain was showcased at the recent Galaxy Unpacked event,” said Lee, reflecting on the achievement. “I hope to continue developing sustainable batteries by expanding our recycling efforts to include lithium and other materials.”

“With the Galaxy S25, we’ve also reached another significant milestone in resource circularity — wafer trays discarded after semiconductor manufacturing have been repurposed into a plastic used in the side and volume keys,” shared Kim. “We are working on various projects to expand resource circularity across other product lines as well, and we hope our users will continue to join us on our journey.”

Samsung has successfully established a closed-loop battery recycling system through the Circular Battery Supply Chain — turning a vision launched under its 2022 environmental strategy into reality with the Galaxy S25. This milestone has sparked growing anticipation for the next innovations that will emerge from Samsung’s pursuit of a more sustainable future.

Global Participation by Samsung Electronics Employees in Water Conservation Efforts

Each year, Samsung Electronics collaborates with employees and local communities on a variety of initiatives, including stream clean-ups near its facilities and water-saving campaigns across its operations. This year, the company aligned these activities with its environmental strategies, including water replenishment projects. These efforts included upgrading reservoirs and pumping facilities in drought-affected regions near its worksites, as well as supporting clean drinking water initiatives for neighboring villages.

▲ Employees at Samsung Electronics Vietnam participated in a cleanup at Cau River

To raise awareness about the importance of clean water, Samsung Electronics employees around the world participated in a variety of initiatives. Here are some highlights of their efforts, captured in photos.

① River Cleanup Activities With Employees, Local Governments, NGOs and Community Members

* Regions of participation: Korea, Vietnam, U.S, Mexico, Brazil, Hungary, Indonesia, South Africa

▲ Employees at Samsung Electronics Home Appliances America took part in cleanup activities along nearby rivers and streams.

▲ At the Cheonan and Onyang worksites in Korea, employees visited streams such as Jangjaecheon, Cheonancheon and Gokgyocheon as part of the One Company, One Stream initiative, contributing to local ecological preservation efforts. In addition, the Hwaseong worksite in Korea is planning stream cleanup activities along Woncheonricheon stream in collaboration with local civic groups and residents, in celebration of World Water Day.

② Returning Clean Water – Water Replenishment Projects

* Regions of participation: Samsung Electronics is currently implementing water replenishment projects in Korea, Vietnam, India, Mexico, the United States and Indonesia. The company also plans to launch water replenishment projects in Malaysia, Brazil, China, Thailand, Hungary, Türkiye, Slovakia, Poland and Egypt, starting this year.

▲ Samsung Electronics Malaysia held an opening ceremony to launch its water replenishment project.

③ ‘Join Us in Saving Water!’ – Water Conservation Campaign

* Regions of participation: Korea, Vietnam, Mexico, Thailand

▲ Samsung Electronics Thailand aired a water-saving campaign video in the company cafeteria.

④ Protecting Aquatic Ecosystems Near Worksites

* Regions of participation: Korea and Vietnam

▲ As part of efforts to protect aquatic ecosystems, employees at Samsung Electronics Vietnam monitored water quality in nearby streams and carried out environmental awareness surveys in collaboration with local government offices, residents and NGOs.

Partnering With Stakeholders To Drive Water Conservation and Reduce Usage

Samsung Electronics recognizes water as a vital resource for a sustainable future and is committed to reducing water intake and promoting water reuse across its operations.

The DX Division has set a goal of achieving 100% water replenishment by 2030, returning to local communities an amount of water equivalent to what is used in its production processes, thereby helping to prevent the depletion of water resources. To achieve this, Samsung is actively implementing water replenishment projects across multiple regions worldwide.

In 2023, Samsung Electronics partnered with the Korea Rural Community Corporation (KRC) to support the construction of water redistribution facilities, enabling the reuse of agricultural water by channeling it from downstream to upstream areas in farmland regions. In collaboration with the Korea Ecological & Environmental Institute (KEEI), Samsung also carried out reservoir dredging in the Haman region in Korea to expand aquatic ecosystems and secure agricultural water supplies, contributing to water reuse and mitigating the risks of drought and water scarcity.

* Regions where agricultural water reuse facilities have been established (Five locations in Korea): Wando, Shinan, Pyeongtaek, Andong, Changnyeong

▲ Samsung Electronics, in collaboration with the KRC Andong held a completion ceremony in July 2024 to mark the construction of an agricultural water redistribution facility in Andong, Korea. In April 2024, Samsung Electronics Vietnam signed an agreement with the local People’s Committee to support water replenishment projects.

Building on these efforts, Samsung implemented 23 water replenishment projects across six countries in 2024, returning a total of 1.35 million tonnes of water annually to local communities and achieving 100% water replenishment by Korean facilities’ water usage standards. The company is committed to expanding this achievement globally by 2030, helping to mitigate local water risks and advance water resource conservation across all its international operations.

Meanwhile, the DS Division is promoting various initiatives to protect water resources through partnerships with public, private and governmental organizations.

In March 2024, Samsung signed a public-private-governmental memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Ministry of Environment, K-water and other stakeholders to advance water-related initiatives. This collaboration was further strengthened in November 2024 through an additional MOU for the Jangheung Dam Artificial Wetland Creation Project, jointly developed with the Ministry of Environment and K-water. This marks the first project in Korea jointly led by public, private and governmental partners. The project aims to enhance riparian ecological belts and artificial wetlands through forest restoration, planting and waterway rehabilitation. In addition, it will create cultural and recreational spaces, including an ecological art museum and walking trails, contributing to the well-being of local communities.

The DS Division has also set a target to keep water intake to 2021 levels by 2030. To that end, Samsung signed another MOU in December 2024 with the Ministry of Environment, Gyeonggi Province, the cities of Hwaseong and Osan, K-water and the Korea Environment Corporation for the Gyeonggido Region Semiconductor Site Reclaimed Water Project (Phase 1). This project will recycle treated wastewater from Hwaseong and Osan to supply 120,000 tonnes of reclaimed water per day to Samsung’s Giheung and Hwaseong semiconductor facilities. The project will proceed with feasibility studies for private investment, basic and detailed phases, and then installation and operation of reuse facilities, with water supply to the DS Division’s Giheung and Hwaseong worksites scheduled to begin in 2029.

Expanding Platinum Certifications From the Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS)

In March 2023, Samsung Electronics’ Hwaseong worksite became the first facility in Korea to achieve the Platinum certification, the highest level from the Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS).* Since then, Samsung has continued to expand the number of AWS-certified worksites across its global operations. AWS is a global water stewardship initiative jointly established by international organizations to assess companies’ comprehensive water management systems.

* The Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS) is a global water management initiative jointly established by organizations such as the UN Global Compact (UNGC) and Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP). AWS evaluates a company’s water stewardship performance across 100 criteria, including ▲ sustainable water management, ▲ pollution control, ▲ water sanitation, ▲impact on aquatic ecosystems within the watershed, and ▲ governance. Based on these assessments, certifications are awarded at three levels, including ‘Platinum,’ ‘Gold,’ and ‘Core.’

The DS Division has achieved Platinum certification for its Giheung/Hwaseong and Pyeongtaek worksites in Korea, followed by its Xi’an worksite in China and most recently its Cheonan/Onyang worksites in Korea in November 2024. The DX Division has also expanded its certifications, securing Platinum certifications for its Suwon, Gumi and Gwangju worksites in 2023, as well as for its Vietnam worksites in 2024. Samsung Electronics also plans to extend AWS certifications to its India operations by 2025.

Water is a vital resource, and ensuring the availability of clean and safe water for future generations is a critical responsibility. Samsung Electronics is fully committed to this mission and will continue to promote water stewardship and the importance of sustainable water management among its employees. The company will also actively collaborate with stakeholders to advance water-related initiatives and take a leading role in the conservation of global water resources.

The process starts by collecting previously used Galaxy smartphones, such as those from trade-in programs. The batteries are carefully dismantled, discharged and shredded to safely recover cobalt. Then, the shredded fragments are processed into “black mass,” a powder mixture containing cobalt and other metals. The black mass undergoes further processing to extract cobalt, which is then used to produce cathode material — an essential component of smartphone batteries. The remaining cobalt goes through the final stage of the battery manufacturing process, becoming an integral part of the new Galaxy S25 batteries, with each Galaxy S25 battery featuring 50% recycled cobalt.²

Samsung will continue to expand the use of our new recycled cobalt batteries into our ecosystem to accelerate circularity.

Check out the video below to learn more about how Samsung’s innovative Circular Battery Supply Chain is paving the way for a more sustainable future.

¹ Inclusion may differ by markets.
² A minimum of 25% of the Galaxy S25 battery is cobalt by weight, 50% of which is recycled cobalt.

Samsung Electronics today announced that, in collaboration with the Carbon Trust and other major tech companies, it has launched a new methodology for measuring the emissions and reductions linked to the use-phase of internet-connected electronic devices.

The launch of this methodology is part of Samsung’s participation in the Decarbonizing the Use-Phase of Connected Devices (DUCD) initiative, through which the company has teamed up with the Carbon Trust, Amazon, Microsoft and Sky to tackle the greenhouse gas emissions resulting from use-phase electricity consumption of internet-connected electrical and electronic products.

These organizations are focusing on the use-phase in particular because it is typically the largest source of product’s carbon emissions throughout its entire lifetime. Globally, connected devices currently require approximately 500 terawatt-hours (TWh) of energy annually — similar to France’s total energy use. Therefore, understanding and accounting for products’ carbon impact and finding ways to drive down emissions while devices are being used is a priority for the tech industry.

This new methodology sets out how companies can assess and report emissions using data drawn from devices that are being used by their customers, enhancing the accuracy of reporting that has until now relied upon lifetime forecasts used in current emissions accounting. Tech firms will also be able to account for emissions reductions that have been achieved in the process of using the methodology.

The annual reporting of use-phase emissions and reporting of emissions reductions will lead to increased transparency in communication to consumers, incentivizing companies to make reductions while products are still being used. The standardization and accuracy of the data will also guide companies to identify innovative solutions to further reduce the carbon impact of their devices.

Samsung’s contributions to launching the new DUCD methodology are a continuation of the company’s commitment to finding new ways to save energy. This type of innovation is exemplified by SmartThings Energy, which empowers users to track their energy usage and make better energy decisions, as well as AI Energy Mode, which considers usage patterns and electricity rates to help users better manage energy usage.

“The use-phase emissions make up the lion’s share of our products’ carbon emissions across their lifecycle, and measuring is key to managing and reducing emissions,” said Inhee Chung, Vice President of the Corporate Sustainability Center at Samsung Electronics. “At Samsung, engaging and empowering consumers through our energy saving solutions is a key element of our climate strategy, and we look forward to applying the DUCD methodology to demonstrate how our SmartThings platform and its AI Energy Mode enable consumers to monitor and reduce the energy use of their connected devices.”

“Connected devices are becoming increasingly relevant in everyday life and so it was important to bring key players in the technology industry together to start to address use-phase emissions now. This collaboration has produced a significantly improved approach for the calculation and reporting of carbon emissions and reductions achieved from connected devices and lays the foundation for further efforts to address emissions in this challenging area.” said Felix Prettejohn, Senior Consultant at the Carbon Trust.

About the Carbon Trust
The Carbon Trust is a global climate consultancy driven by the mission to accelerate the move to a decarbonised future. We have been climate pioneers for over 20 years, partnering with businesses, governments and financial institutions to drive positive climate action. From strategic planning and target setting to activation and communication – we turn ambition into impact. To date, our 400 experts have helped set 200+ science-based targets and guided 3,000+ organisations and cities across five continents on their route to Net Zero.

▲ Samsung Friends & Hershey’s collection introduces 12 one-of-a-kind accessories inspired by Hershey’s iconic confectionary packaging for the latest Galaxy Devices

To celebrate the launch of the new collection, Samsung opened Flip Tour With Hershey’s, a special pop-up at the company’s Gangnam flagship store from July 29 to August 11 where visitors can experience this unique collection firsthand. They can choose and attach their desired part of food packaging plastics to plate their accessories with 100% recycled material transformed from Hershey’s plastic packaging waste using proprietary Samsung technology and also get a chance to taste limited-edition Hershey’s-themed beverages.

▲ (From left) Visitors try out the new Samsung Friends & Hershey’s collection and customize their accessories with 100% recycled material transformed from Hershey’s plastic packaging waste

With the introduction of the new Galaxy Z Fold6 and Galaxy Z Flip6, Samsung Friends will further expand its range of mobile accessories to feature characters and designs from 17 different iconic brands including Sticky Monster Lab, Smiley, Keith Haring, Disney, Minions and Pokémon.

▲ Samsung Friends makes your device stand out with unique accessories where delightful designs and enchanting materials come to life through playful collaborations

The accessories can be purchased at Samsung.com and SLASH B SLASH’s online mall.

“With our partners, Samsung aims to create unique accessories that reflect users’ individual tastes and enhance the customer experience,” stated Jongmoo Lee, Head of Future Generation Lab, a group of young Samsung employees that fosters authentic conversations around the activities of upcoming generations. “We will continue to expand our value offerings by developing products that highlight our eco-conscious values and innovative technology.”

▲ Sticky Monster Lab characters adorn the Galaxy Z Flip6’s case and large FlexWindow, adding a playful touch to the overall presentation of the device

▲ Samsung Friends will expand its range of mobile accessories to feature 17 different iconic brands including Sticky Monster Lab, Smiley, Keith Haring, Disney, Minions and Pokémon

¹ The types and designs of accessories available for purchase may vary by country.

On July 3, the Vietnamese government issued a decree on direct power purchase agreement (DPPA) that allows enterprises to purchase renewable energy from private producers without an intermediary.

The agreement allows enterprises to sign renewable energy contracts exceeding a certain scale with private producers, not just the state-owned Vietnam Electricity (EVN). Until now, enterprises mainly procured renewable energy through small-scale solar panels on the roofs of their business sites or by purchasing renewable energy certificates (RECs).

With the implementation of the DPPA, Samsung Electronics Vietnam will be able to strengthen the institutional foundation for securing renewable energy.

Samsung Electronics has been tirelessly working with various stakeholders, including the Vietnamese government and civil society organizations, to introduce the DPPA system and put climate strategy into practice. Since the first DPPA discussions began in 2019, Samsung has emphasized the need to introduce the renewable energy procurement mechanism as soon as possible to achieve net zero carbon emissions goals, and provided technical advice on how to implement the mechanism in a stable manner. Samsung has also continued to communicate with stakeholders through the Asia Clean Energy Coalition (ACEC), a coalition of renewable energy buyers, in collaboration with sellers and financiers, to strategically shift policy in key Asian markets, including Vietnam.

“Through the DPPA, we plan to get in touch with large-scale renewable energy producers proportionate to the size of operations at Samsung Electronics Vietnam and make competitive purchases of renewable energy,” said Executive Vice President Joo Ho Choi, General Director of Samsung Vietnam Complex. “We will continue to work with the Vietnamese government to advance Vietnam’s renewable energy infrastructure.”

Creating a Global Platform for Change

Preserving the future of our planet is not a solo job. We teamed up with UNDP to support young changemakers on the frontlines of climate change who are delivering meaningful progress for our collective future. Through Generation17,¹ Samsung elevates their platforms to a global scale and inspires them through mentorship, peer learning and networking.

Today, we want to spotlight some of our incredible Generation17 Young Leaders and their work to address environmental challenges.

▲ Máximo Mazzocco speaks about the role of youth in climate activism at a Goals House event

Máximo Mazzocco, a leading climate activist from Argentina, is the founder of Eco House² — a non-governmental organization that specializes in educational and ecological restoration programs. Recently, he advocated for the approval of more than 40 socio-environmental laws and organized digital communications campaigns for the environment that reached more than 150 million users. In 2023, Eco House conducted workshops with other organizations to educate more than 60,000 state workers on environmental laws for the public sector. These trainings were the result of the Mandatory Ecological Education for State Workers Law,³ a piece of legislation that Eco House advocated for. The organization also launched Eco News to cover and distribute socio-environmental information.

▲ Tamara Gondo works at her sustainability-focused organization, Liberty Society.

Tamara Gondo, a Young Leader from Indonesia, started Liberty Society — a social enterprise that empowers and trains marginalized Indonesian women on how to upcycle materials and turn them into sustainable goods. By extending the lifespan of materials, upcycling minimizes waste and reduces CO2 emissions. In 2023 alone, Liberty Society upcycled 2.5 tons of waste to create more than 40,000 individual goods, set up four training-to-employment centers and upskilled 225 women from marginalized communities.⁴

▲ AY Young edits music in his home studio.

AY Young, a performer from the United States, created the Battery Tour⁵ to raise awareness around the importance of sustainable electricity and provide solar-powered batteries to communities in need. Since kicking off his tour, AY has donated over 100 solar boxes that power medical devices, fans and lights in Puerto Rico, Haiti, Honduras and six African countries.⁶ He is currently producing an album, titled Project 17, to support organizations working towards each of the 17 Global Goals.

Looking to the Future

While we are proud of these accomplishments, Samsung’s work is ongoing and always evolving. We will continue to join forces with like-minded organizations and accelerate our efforts to build sustainable innovations that deliver a more positive impact on the planet.

For more information about Samsung’s sustainability efforts, please visit our Sustainability website.

¹ Beginning in 2020, Generation17 is a partnership between Samsung and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) that harnesses mobile technology to empower young people around the world who are taking concrete action towards the 17 Global Goals.
² Eco House operates 40 environmental programs globally and educates more than 100,000 youth on environmental topics in Argentina every year.
³ Eco House Impact Report: 7 Years of Action for Sustainability (2016-2023)
⁴ Liberty Society Annual Impact Report 2023
⁵ Shows are powered by 100% renewable energy.
⁶ Battery Tour

Finding the Balance Between Innovation and the Environment

Samsung is reimagining how Galaxy technology is designed and packaged to do more with less when it comes to our planet’s natural resources. For the last decade, we have worked to innovate high-performance components that are made with recycled materials.

We took an important step in 2022 when we incorporated recycled discarded fishing nets, also known as ghost nets, in the Galaxy S22 series. Recycled materials can now be found in all Galaxy mobile products, including smartphones, tablets, PCs and wearables.¹ At the same time, we have expanded our use to a greater variety of materials, from several different types of plastics to metals and glass.

▲ Visualizing how the Galaxy S24 series is designed and packaged to do more with less for people and the planet.

The Galaxy S24 series² takes these actions one step further. For the first time in any Galaxy device, we developed key device components with recycled cobalt, rare earth elements and steel. The battery³ in the Galaxy S24 Ultra contains a minimum of 50% recycled cobalt, and 100% recycled rare earth elements⁴ and a minimum of 40% recycled steel⁵ were used in the speakers.

Samsung has a long history of addressing the pervasive challenge of plastic waste through our recycled material innovations, and recycled plastics continue to play an important role in the Galaxy S24 series. The Galaxy S24 series maintains our use of recycled plastics sourced from discarded fishing nets, water barrels and PET bottles.

The recycled ocean-bound plastic⁶ material was created in partnership with global organizations who collected discarded fishing nets abandoned near the oceans. The nets’ properties were separated, cleaned and extruded before optimizing them into high-performance, recycled polyamide pellets. Similarly, the recycled polycarbonate and PET materials are sourced from discarded water barrels and PET bottles that were ground, filtered and melted down with other additives. This process helps us transform these fragile resources into high-performance optimized materials that uphold Samsung’s state-of-the-art design and high-quality standards. We also teamed up with other organizations to upcycle discarded Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU) that was generated from shoe manufacturing.

This is a culmination of our continued efforts with our partners to transform fragile plastic wastes into high performance material used in Galaxy devices. With the Galaxy S24 series, our goal by end of 2024 is to help recover nearly 100 metric tons of recycled plastics⁷, which is equivalent to 10 million empty plastic bottles.⁸

When it comes to recycled metal, the Galaxy S24 series incorporates recycled aluminum⁹ that originates from scrap metal generated during manufacturing. The aluminum scrap is re-melted, filtered for impurities and then recycled to make components within Samsung’s product development process. With the Galaxy S24 series, our goal by end of 2024 is to recover about 110 metric tons of recycled aluminum, which is the equivalent of 9 million soda cans.¹⁰

Additionally, the Galaxy S24 series comes in a packaging box made using 100% recycled paper material. By the end of 2024, we hope to recover nearly 2,760 metric tons of recycled paper with Galaxy S24 series, which is equivalent of 552 million pieces of A4 paper.¹¹ If stacked on top of one another, that would be approximately the same height as 71 Burj Khalifas,¹² which is the tallest building in the world.

From the smallest components to the newest, most premium features, the Galaxy S24 series represents a significant stride in Samsung’s sustainability journey, and we remain committed to scaling these innovations in years to come. This work will help us shift to more circular designs and build technology that supports a more sustainable future.

For more information about Samsung’s sustainability efforts, please visit our Sustainability website.

¹ Recycled materials can be found in all Galaxy devices released in and after 2022.
² The Galaxy S24 series features a variety of recycled materials including pre- or post-consumer recycled plastics, including Polyamide (PA), Polycarbonate (PC), Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET), and Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU) in both internal and external components. It also includes components made with pre-consumer recycled aluminum and glass, as well as pre- and post-consumer recycled cobalt, rare earth elements (neodymium), and steel. For more information about the recycled materials in the Galaxy S24 series, please review Samsung’s product environmental reports on the Sustainability website.
³ The batteries of the Galaxy S24 Ultra and Galaxy S24+ include a minimum of 50% pre- and post-consumer recycled cobalt. The battery of the Galaxy S24 includes a minimum of 10% pre- and post-consumer recycled cobalt. The above measurements are based on weight.
⁴The speakers of the Galaxy S24 series include 100% pre- and post-consumer recycled neodymium. The above measurements are based on weight.
⁵ The speakers of the Galaxy S24 series include a minimum of 40% pre- and post-consumer recycled steel. The above measurements are based on weight.
⁶ Ocean-bound plastic is abandoned plastic waste of all sizes (micro-plastics, mezzo-plastics and macro-plastics) that are located within 50km of shores in communities or areas.
⁷ Calculated tons of recycled materials in this article are based on internal estimates.
⁸ Assuming the weight of 500ml PET bottles is 10g, which is the average weight of PET bottles from manufacturers across the market.
⁹ A minimum of 28% pre-consumer recycled aluminum is used in both internal and external aluminum components of Galaxy S24 series. For more information about the recycled materials in the Galaxy S24 series, please review Samsung’s product environmental reports on the Sustainability website.
¹⁰ Average weight of 330ml soda can is calculated from Metal Packaging Europe article.
¹¹ Average weight of A4 paper is calculated based on ISO 536:2019.
¹² At 828 meters high, the Burj Khalifa holds the record as the tallest building in the world.

Since 2006, Samsung has conducted numerous events involving employees and local communities — including river cleanup around worksites, water conservation campaigns and more. In line with this year’s World Water Day theme of “Leveraging Water for Peace,” Samsung organized special activities such as providing drinking water support for those in need and educating the general public on water conservation.

“On World Water Day, Samsung Electronics executives and employees take time to reflect on the importance of clean water by participating in water conservation activities,” said Junhwa Lee, Vice President of Global EHS, Device eXperience (DX) Division at Samsung Electronics. “We must continually strive to ensure clean water is available to future generations.”

▲ Employees at Samsung’s plant in Suwon, Korea, cleaned up Woncheon Stream.

Commemorate World Water Day with Samsung by scrolling through photo highlights of water conservation activities around the world.

Spreading Awareness of River Cleanup Activities

Participating regions: Korea (Suwon, Gwangju and Gumi), Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Egypt, Hungary, Brazil and Mexico

▲ Employees of Samsung’s plant in Gumi, Korea, after cleaning up Igye Stream

▲ Employees of Samsung Electronics Mexico with local government employees and residents at Santa Catarina Lake

▲ Employees of Samsung Electronics Malaysia with local residents on the coast of Tanjung Harapan

Water for Peace: World Water Day 2024

Participating regions: Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand, India, Egypt and Brazil

▲ Samsung Electronics Egypt employees visited two schools (Martyr Mostafa Salama Preparatory School and Martyr Mohammed Abdallah Secondary Technical School) to teach students the importance of clean water and water conservation.

▲ Samsung Electronics Indonesia employees visited a local school in Cijantur, Bogor, to teach students the importance of water conservation, and also installed a well to provide clean water for villagers living nearby.

Campaigning for Water Conservation

Participating regions: Korea (Suwon and Gwangju), China, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, India, Egypt, Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, Turkey, Brazil and Mexico

▲ Samsung Electronics India employees participated in a World Water Day campaign.

▲ Samsung Electronics Malaysia employees attended a training event on water conservation.

In collaboration with mobile accessory company SLASH B SLASH, the latest collection is exclusively designed for the Galaxy S24 series — offering 57 cases² for customers to personalize their Galaxy S24, S24+ or S24 Ultra. Learn more about the newest Samsung Eco-Friends product line below.

▲ Samsung Eco-Friends accessories boast 16 popular IPs.

Captivating the Next Generation for the Past Three Years

Samsung Eco-Friends is a collection of accessories, including product cases and wearable straps, envisioned by Samsung’s Future Generation Lab.³ Reflecting the next generation’s preference for eco-conscious products, these accessories incorporate sustainable materials — such as recycled plastic and vegan leather that contain at least 40% post-consumer materials.⁴

Originally introduced in 2022, the expanded collection features popular characters and designs from around the world — including TOILETPAPER, Keith Haring, Smiley, The Simpsons and more. Sanrio characters⁵ like Hello Kitty, My Melody, Kuromi and Cinnamoroll have been newly added to this year’s product line.

Designs inspired by The Rolling Stones, Queen and other artists offer users another way to express themselves. In particular, Samsung’s collaboration with K-pop boy band Stray Kids lets fans watch videos of their favorite members simply by inserting a near-field communication (NFC) card⁶ into the case. Each collectible card hosts a unique collection of videos and photos featuring individual Stray Kids members so fans can enjoy a one-of-a-kind, pocketable experience.

▲ (From left) Rolling Stones edition with tongue and lips logo and exclusive Galaxy theme

▲ Stray Kids edition plays a video of the artist when the NFC card is inserted.

Full of Charm and Wonder: Samsung Eco-Friends

On February 16, Samsung unveiled a video introducing “Samsung Eco-Friends” via its global social media channels including YouTube and Instagram.

The video showcases that plastic waste can be transformed into bold, innovative smartphone cases that are both unique and eco-conscious.

▲ Images from Samsung Eco-Friends video

“Using waste, we are making an effort to convey the values of a circular economy,” said Samsung’s Future Generation Lab. “We will continue to develop accessories that intrigue customers by utilizing various technologies.”

First released in Korea on February 6, Samsung Eco-Friends will soon be available in major markets worldwide⁷ including the U.S. and Japan. The accessories can be purchased at the company’s immersive Samsung Gangnam flagship store, as well as Samsung.com and SLASH B SLASH’s online mall.

¹ Produced by third-party manufacturers who design and produce Samsung-compatible accessories.
² The types and designs of accessories available for purchase may vary by country.
³ Consists of global Samsung employees in their 20s to foster authentic conversations around the activities of the next generation.
⁴ Calculated by volume.
⁵ Sanrio characters are only available in Korea and Japan.
⁶ The NFC Collectible Card is a card-type accessory that can be used with the Samsung Eco-Friends case. When the Stray Kids Collectible Card is inserted into the case, the wallpaper, icons and keypad are automatically changed to a Stray Kids theme.
⁷ The products will roll out in the first half of this year in more than 40 countries and the U.S.

▲ Samsung Electronics receives the AA rating in the 2023 MSCI ESG Ratings.

The AA rating is based on the 2023 MSCI ESG Ratings by Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI), ranking Samsung as one of the global leaders in managing environmental, social and governance (ESG) risks and opportunities.

Samsung improved its overall rating in 2023 by one notch, building on its consistent A rating since 2020. This upgrade was due to large improvements in its social and governance scores.

The MSCI ESG assessment, conducted by MSCI — a subsidiary of Morgan Stanley, a leading global investment bank — has been a key global evaluation of ESG practices since 2009.

The assessment holds considerable influence over investors worldwide. It provides a comprehensive evaluation of the ESG management of more than 8,500 listed companies globally. The companies are categorized into seven grades — from the highest rank, AAA, to the lowest, CCC.

Samsung’s improvement in the rating last year is due to its global sustainability management activities. In particular, the company’s score increased in areas such as human capital development, controversial sourcing and corporate governance.

Internally, Samsung has implemented initiatives to improve the working environment for its employees. This includes the introduction of the Free Agent (FA) initiative and Samsung Talent Exchange Program (STEP), allowing employees more opportunities to explore different roles and gain cross-cultural work experience between domestic and overseas offices. Additionally, the company also runs The University of Samsung Electronics (The UniverSE), an educational program for integrated job and leadership training to support the continued growth of Samsung executives and employees.

In terms of responsible mineral sourcing, Samsung conducts regular surveys and inspections of all suppliers. The company publishes a dedicated Responsible Minerals Report in an effort to resolve and prevent any issues related to the mineral procurement process.

In the report, MSCI stated, “The company’s robust mineral sourcing policy leads that of industry peers and extends beyond 3TG minerals. We note improvements in Samsung Electronics’ corporate governance practices.”

Samsung incorporates sustainability management criteria in the Environmental and Social categories when evaluating organizational and executive performance. The Sustainability Committee of the Board of Directors, composed entirely of independent directors, plays a crucial role in discussing major ESG issues.

Samsung remains committed to sustainability management. The company will continue strengthening its ESG management system by investing and expanding its product line with eco-conscious technology and supporting human rights management in the supply chain.

The Sustainability Zone at Samsung’s booth ushered in visitors to discover how the company is promoting resource circularity and collaboration in addition to providing various accessibility services.

Samsung Newsroom explored the zone to learn more about the company’s multi-faceted commitment to tackling climate change. Read on to discover how Samsung is working toward creating a better future.

▲ The Sustainability Zone in the Samsung booth at CES 2024

The Journey Toward a Sustainable Future

In 2022, Samsung announced its new environmental strategy in response to climate change and the need for increased resource circularity. As part of this, Samsung outlined a timeline of sustainability milestones the company aims to hit over the next two decades — beginning with the announcement of its strategy to its company-wide net zero carbon emission target for 2050.

▲ The Sustainability Zone displayed Samsung’s goals for climate action and resource circularity.

Attendees viewed in-depth explanations of how Samsung is pursuing resource circularity through encased models of the company’s eco-conscious innovations that repurpose or incorporate recycled materials.

▲ Visitors were impressed with Samsung’s innovative approach to sustainability as displayed by the r-ABS and r-PP walls.

The Sustainability Zone featured recycled plastic walls that were built using r-ABS and r-PP, materials developed by Samsung’s Circular Economy Lab. r-ABS is made using recycled Styrofoam that comes from inside Samsung product packaging while r-PP is made by recycling various by-products generated during the production of household goods.

▲ A version of the r-ABS and r-PP walls was first showcased at IFA 2023.

▲ Attendees enjoyed the interactive Circular Workshop.

The Circular Workshop provided a closer look at the entire product lifecycle of the Galaxy Book4, Neo QLED 8K and BESPOKE AI Washer. “It was so interesting to see how sustainability was implemented at every stage of the product lifecycle,” said one visitor.

SmartThings Energy, Now Even Smarter

Samsung unveiled an even more advanced version of SmartThings Energy. Through AI Energy Mode, users can comprehensively manage their energy usage and cut down on electricity bills —reducing carbon emissions in the process.

▲ Visitors learned about the functions of Samsung’s energy solution, SmartThings Energy.

▲ Visitors were eager to hear about Samsung’s recent partnership with Tesla.

To further its pursuit of the Net Zero Home, Samsung expanded upon its recent collaboration with electric vehicle brand Tesla through SmartThings Energy. Tesla’s Powerwall 3, Solar Inverter and Universal Wall Connector were showcased — which have all been seamlessly integrated into the SmartThings Energy ecosystem. In addition, attendees viewed demonstrations of how notifications from the Storm Watch feature on Tesla’s app appear on Samsung TVs.

More Accessibility for All

▲ The Sustainability Zone featured Samsung’s diverse accessibility products that aim to increase usability for everyone.

Attendees were given a glimpse at a new remote function with condensed key functionalities and more accessible design, allowing users to control their TVs with the SmartThings app on their smartphones. Other accessibility features include Live caption in call that provides real-time transcription on Galaxy devices and Audio subtitles that automatically recognize and read on-screen subtitles, making it helpful especially when watching foreign content.

Joining Hands With Startups To Tackle Environmental Challenges

The zone highlighted Samsung’s open collaborations with startups that aim to better society by developing for the future.

▲ The Sustainability Zone displayed the company’s open collaborations with startups.

Samsung supports innovative startups to address environmental challenges through C-Lab Outside, the company’s external startup acceleration program. In addition, the company has also joined hands with organizations such as Extreme Tech Challenge (XTC) — a global startup competition and ecosystem for entrepreneurs addressing global challenges.

Recognizing the need for sustainable action, Samsung hopes to inspire the larger tech community to take steps and create a better tomorrow. Learn more in the video below.

Samsung Electronics today announced that 10 models among 3 product groups from DA Business have obtained ‘Product Carbon Footprint’ certification from the Carbon Trust. The certificate proves that the Carbon Trust measured and confirmed the carbon emissions of the products based on the global standard, PAS 2050:2011.

“Receiving the Product Carbon Footprint certification for our home appliances is a significant milestone,” said Jeong Seung Moon, EVP and Head of R&D Team of Digital Appliances Business at Samsung Electronics.

The Carbon Trust is a global climate consultancy that aims to accelerate the move to a decarbonized future. The organization, which was founded in the UK and operates globally, certifies products’ carbon footprints in accordance with international standards.

Samsung products were certified based on the cradle-to-grave footprint, which take into account the entire greenhouse gas emissions of a product, from the extraction of raw materials to manufacturing, distribution, use and final disposal.

The certification is issued to a total of 10 models, which include three BMF refrigerator models¹ and one WindFree residential air conditioner model² sold in Europe, and six Bespoke Grande washing machine models³ sold in Korea.

Moving forward, Samsung Electronics plans to use the measured figures to manage and evaluate the carbon emissions from producing successor models in the stated product groups.

¹ RB38A7CGTS9/EF, RB38A7CGTS9/EU, RL38A7CGTS9/EG
² AR12CXCAAWKNEU
³ WF25CB8895BV, WF25CB8895BG, WF25CB8895BF, WF25CB8895BB, WF25CB8895BE, WF25CB8895BW

Scientific illustrator, zoologist and marine wildlife artist Rachel Brooks has witnessed the destructive impact of humans on the world’s oceans throughout her eight years in the diving industry.

A shark enthusiast who is particularly fond of the endangered basking shark, Rachel is passionate about using art to raise awareness for the plight of marine life everywhere and to help people understand the vital role sharks play in various marine ecosystems.

Together with shark-focused charities such as Saving the Blue and Oceanic 31, Rachel shares her pieces online and displays them in galleries — reconnecting people with the oceans, sparking dialogue about conservation and even raising funds for charitable projects through auctions of her artwork.

Rachel’s pointillist style brings sharks to life on the canvas with a meticulousness that draws the viewer in and encourages them to spend time examining sea creatures in all their unique detail. Employing a range of techniques to illustrate these diverse, fascinating and gentle sea creatures, she regularly incorporates technology into her creative process. The Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra and S Pen’s numerous creative capabilities help Rachel express her highly detailed style, craft her pieces more easily and share them with the wider world.

To learn more about her art and activism, watch the full Voices of Galaxy installment below.

Samsung Eco-Friends are accessories such as product cases and wearable straps that contain a minimum of 40% Post Consumer Material (PCM). The Samsung Eco-Friends lineup was planned by Samsung’s Future Generation Lab, which comprises global employees in their 20s and reflects the values and tastes of the younger generation. Future Generation Lab also helps partners expand their sales through the Samsung Mobile Accessory Partnership Program (SMAPP).

The new Samsung Eco-Friends products feature 11 characters and designs² popular across the globe. The collaboration brings the works of TOILETPAPER, Smiley and Keith Haring, as well as Disney, Marvel, Minions, Pokémon and Kakao Friends. The lineup also includes designs of famous K-pop artists, such as Stray Kids, SKZOO and BTS Dynamite.

In particular, the accessories with TOILETPAPER design are noteworthy. TOILETPAPER is an influential creative studio in Italy, known for its disruptive and experimental creative work. The studio’s designs have been applied to “Samsung Bespoke Refrigerator” panels, and now extending to mobile accessories. A rose graphic unveiled earlier this year, as well as its popular lipstick graphic, is applied to Samsung Eco-Friends.

The Samsung Eco-Friends lineup includes accessories for mobile products such as the Galaxy Z Flip5 and Fold5, Galaxy Tab S9, Galaxy Watch6 and Galaxy Buds2 Pro, as well as The Freestyle portable projector. A total of 64 products³ offer appealing characters and designs for customers to choose from to personalize their device.

Also available with this launch is the ability for customers to coordinate their foldable phone screens with Samsung Eco-Friends accessories through near-field communication (NFC) technology and QR codes. This allows users to express themselves with a design that is cohesive from case to screen.

With the introduction of the Galaxy Z Flip5, the exclusive Flipsuit case features an NFC-based Flipsuit card that enables a new experience by automatically playing screen themes when it is inserted into the product. By simply replacing the Flipsuit card provided by Samsung Eco-Friends, customers can easily set the screen theme depending on their preferences.

Samsung plans to continue to expand the use of recycled materials in Samsung Eco-Friends to deliver eco-conscious values, and update its lineup and design to enrich customers’ experiences.

¹ Samsung Eco-Friends is the name of a collection of accessories where each accessory of the Eco-Friends collection is made using at least 40% recycled materials for select Samsung devices. (Measured by total volume of each accessory.)
² The types and designs of accessories available for purchase may vary by countries.
³ The types and designs of accessories available for purchase may vary by countries.

To showcase the efforts in line with the environmental strategy, Samsung unveiled “#Changes start from small steps” on August 3, 2023. The campaign will feature a series of interviews highlighting the voices of employees who create and market the company’s eco-conscious products to show that change does not happen all at once. Instead, small actions can have a large impact on the future.

Samsung plans to continue efforts to protect the planet, furthering its environmental mission and encouraging consumers to participate.

Samsung’s Vision for a Brighter Future

The campaign film released on August 3 illustrates how even the smallest steps forward can bring about meaningful change — mirroring Samsung’s forward-thinking vision for climate action. The video showcases the company’s notable environmental initiatives and emphasizes how collective action can have a lasting impact.

▲ Samsung’s environmental campaign “#Changes start from small steps”

Many of Samsung’s efforts were highlighted in the environmental campaign film including: the MX Business’ use of ocean-bound plastics (OBP) from discarded fishing nets to produce high-resolution monitors and Galaxy devices, since the Galaxy S22 series; the VD Business’ solar-powered SolarCell Remote, now smaller in size and with OBPs since first launched in 2021; the DA Business’ Less Microfiber Filter for washing machines, created in collaboration with Patagonia; and the company’s work to collect global e-waste.

Progress Through the Eyes of Employees

Central to this campaign are Samsung employees who participated in the development and marketing of the company’s eco-conscious products. To share how Samsung is pioneering sustainable development, several employees gave their insights on the innovative projects they were involved in.

Changyoun Hwang, Head of the Advanced CMF Lab of MX Business, described his experience developing recycled materials using discarded fishing nets on a business trip. He recounted the sadness he felt after witnessing a baby shark become trapped in a discarded fishing net, further highlighting the importance of Samsung’s work to capture and repurpose these nets.

Yeri Park and Hwisoo Kim, from the Marketing Group and Living Product Planning Group of DA Business, respectively, discussed how they switched to only wearing cotton clothes after learning about the negative environmental impact of microplastics. Kim is inspired to incorporate Samsung’s message of Everyday Sustainability both in his life and work.

JongKeun Lee, from H/W Platform Lab of VD Business, explained how developing the SolarCell Remote required him to meticulously spend hours in a darkroom and outdoors over several months.

As the sustainability affairs manager for Samsung U.K., Jessica Sandhu oversees a variety of tasks related to environmental protection, including local compliance, e-waste collection and recycling program management. With sustainability being at the core of her work, Sandhu expressed excitement in the campaign.

“We use remotes every day at home, but I don’t think we’ve ever thought about using them without batteries,” Lee of VD Business explained. “The idea of reducing battery usage through a device as small as a remote was quite out of the box. I wasn’t sure it would be possible, but this idea became a reality. By working at Samsung, I am able to do what I love and help the planet.”

“Since I’m really passionate about the environment, I usually carry a glass straw with me. I was very proud to design a product for the environment at Samsung,” Kim said. “I would like to continue creating more eco-conscious products and features so that people can easily participate in protecting the planet.”

Through the “#Changes start from small steps” campaign and its environmental efforts, Samsung hopes to inspire and enable consumers to incorporate sustainability into their lives — since even the smallest steps make a difference.

The film can be viewed on Samsung’s official YouTube, Facebook and Instagram channels. The employee interviews will be released via the same channels on August 7, 2023.

Eco-conscious startups believe that groundbreaking, innovative technologies and solutions have the power to combat climate change and create positive outcomes.

Samsung Electronics announced a new environmental strategy in September 2022 to contribute to tackling climate change in partnership with the startup community, which includes identifying and supporting startups that have innovative eco-conscious technologies. As such, Samsung expanded the scope of its environmental support in the fifth C-Lab Outside, the company’s external startup acceleration program, to continue fostering and discovering excellent companies creating sustainable technologies.

In celebration of World Environment Day on June 5, Samsung Newsroom spoke with two startups from the fifth C-Lab Outside program that showcased meaningful technological climate solutions: QuantumCat and 60 Hertz.

The World’s First Organization To Succeed in Commercialization of Gold Nanocatalyst

QuantumCat was established in August 2019 with the vision of “ensuring a sustainable future for Earth and mankind.” The company became the first in the world to successfully commercialize the gold nanocatalyst with its unique, innovative technology. This raises the question — how are catalysts¹ related to the climate crisis?

When exhaust gases from sources such as cars and factory smokestacks cause incomplete combustion to occur, toxic substances including carbon monoxide are produced. For spontaneous oxidation of carbon monoxide to occur, a high temperature of over 600 degrees Celsius (1112 degrees Fahrenheit) is necessary. However, the temperature for oxidation can be brought down to 250 degrees Celsius (482 degrees Fahrenheit) when platinum catalysts, such as rhodium, palladium and platinum, are used. In short, using catalysts reduces energy consumption for the complete oxidation of toxic substances such as carbon monoxide while also effectively preventing the release of harmful gases.

More than 90% of the world’s chemical processes are controlled by catalysts which are also used to purify exhaust gases emitted from cars and at worksites. In addition, more catalysts are expected to be used as carbon neutrality legislation continues to be enacted and environmental regulations become stricter around the world. As such, catalysts have emerged as a crucial material necessary in responding to climate change.

QuantumCat’s gold nanocatalyst is even more groundbreaking than platinum catalysts. While platinum catalysts can accomplish the complete oxidation of toxic substances such as carbon monoxide at 250 degrees Celsius (482 degrees Fahrenheit), the gold nanocatalyst can enable the complete oxidation of carbon monoxide at room temperature (25 degrees Celsius or 77 degrees Fahrenheit). QuantumCat’s technology has significantly reduced energy consumption by lowering the combustion temperature and reducing carbon emissions. As a result, the company has earned cumulative investments of KRW 6 billion (about USD 4.5 million) and widespread recognition from various organizations, including the Ministry of Science and ICT’s commendation, Korea Environmental Industry & Technology Institute’s Presidential Award, the Innovation Start-up Korea Award and more.

▲ Shinhyun Kang, CEO of QuantumCat from Samsung C-Lab Outside

“Using the gold nanocatalyst means lower energy consumption, making it an economically viable and environmentally friendly solution,” said CEO Shinhyun Kang of QuantumCat.

Developing the Revolutionary Gold Nanocatalyst

Kang developed the gold nanocatalyst technology while researching nanomaterials as a doctoral student at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST). While gold is an excellent catalyst, the element has not been commercialized until now because it is less stable, as the catalyst particles tend to clump together. To prevent this from occurring, Kang successfully developed the “nanocage,” in which gold is broken down into nanoparticles and locked in.

▲ Nanocage with a special structure ensures the stability of the gold nanocatalyst

QuantumCat’s gold nanocatalyst can also be used for air purifier products as it can remove harmful substances such as carbon monoxide at room temperature or purify the air through selective oxidation.

Recently, the company established a process for mass production of the gold nanocatalyst, along with continuous efforts to improve the quality.

“The gold nanocatalyst will stand out in the global market when production technology is expanded,” said Kang. “Through Samsung C-Lab Outside, we hope our technology will evolve to be applied in diverse use cases and contribute to solving environmental issues.”

QuantumCat’s mission is to ensure a sustainable future for Earth through innovative technologies that address climate change. Samsung eagerly awaits continued advancements surrounding the commercialization of the gold nanocatalyst and how QuantumCat will benefit the Earth’s health in the long run.

Innovative Technology for Predicting Renewable Energy Generation

More organizations and governments have set their sights on the transition to renewable energy.² However, the amount of renewable energy generated from sources such as solar and wind is highly variable since weather conditions are difficult to predict. As such, determining the exact amount of energy supply is critical in operating a stable power grid.

▲ Jongkyu Kim, CEO of 60 Hertz from Samsung C-Lab Outside

60 Hertz is actively researching ways to solve climate issues and protect the Earth with software based on renewable energy generation prediction technology. “Our power grid can operate securely when the supply and demand of electricity are balanced,” said CEO Jongkyu Kim of 60 Hertz. “If it’s unbalanced, it can lead to problems with home appliances and to more severe disasters such as blackouts. So, technology to predict the energy produced from small-scale distributed generation, such as renewable energy, is critical.” When the supply and demand of electricity are in equilibrium, Korea’s power grid maintains a stable frequency of 60 hertz (Hz) — finding this balance is also the mission of the eponymous startup.

▲ The Sunlight Wind Map predicts the amount of renewable energy generated.

The transition to renewable energy is vital to solving the climate crisis. For renewable energy to become a primary energy source, a virtual power plant software that uses IT to connect and manage small-scale distributed generation can serve as an important tool in accurately predicting the current and future amount of renewable energy. Currently, renewable energy in Korea is generated across the nation in the form of tens of thousands of small-scale distributed generation power plants. Since the amount of power generated is dependent on weather, renewable energy plant management software with virtual power plant technology is required to operate stable power grids. With such technology, 60 Hertz operates the Sunlight Wind Map service, forecasting the amount of energy generated from renewable energy power plants throughout Korea for free. In 2021, the Sunlight Wind Map demonstrated its high value as a climate crisis tool through numerous awards, including the Presidential Award, the Prime Minister Award, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy Award as well as the Ministry of SMEs and Startups Award.

Pushing the Transition to Renewable Energy Further

60 Hertz’s innovative business strategy has proven that this model can be easily adopted by any company seeking to implement distributed generation, such as renewable energy, into its operations.

▲ EnergyScrum

One such company utilizing this business model is 60 Hertz’s EnergyScrum — an energy management platform that comprehensively manages various distributed generation modes, such as photo voltaic and electric vehicle (EV) chargers and energy storage systems (ESS). In recognition of this innovative software, the company was named a CES 2023 Innovation Award honoree in the Sustainability, Eco-Design & Smart Energy category. “EnergyScrum provides various management features, including the prediction of energy supply and demand using AI technology,” explained Kim. “For example, it predicts the amount of energy generated from a solar voltaic power generator installed at a gas station as well as the amount of demand at an EV charging station to help with comprehensive supply and demand management.”

“60 Hertz will efficiently expand renewable energy implementation and usage with our technology,” said Kim. “Through Samsung C-Lab Outside, we will continue to take on challenges and be a leader in solving the global climate crisis with our technology in Korea and abroad.”

With 60 Hertz’s advancements to save the Earth, Samsung looks forward to the day when everyone can easily contribute to the transition to renewable energy.

¹ A material that catalyzes reactions by lowering the activation energy of other materials.
² The shift from utilizing fossil fuels, such as oil and coal, to renewable sources, such as wind and solar.

“It’s rewarding to see Samsung’s sustainability mission recognized by a trusted organization, as we remain committed to creating products with the future of our planet top of mind,” said Seokwoo Yong, Executive Vice President and Deputy Head of Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics. “As the world’s largest TV manufacturer, we recognize our responsibility to lead by example and will continue to leverage technology to drive positive change.”

The Carbon Trust is a global climate consultancy founded by the UK government with the mission to respond to climate change and reduce greenhouse gases (GHGs). The organization calculates its carbon footprint certification by evaluating the amount of GHG generated¹ throughout the entire product lifecycle, ranging from production to disposal, based on internationally recognized standards. Notably, the label does not take CO2 offsets into consideration.

The 2023 Neo QLED models obtained the certification in recognition of Samsung’s efforts to reduce the products’ weight and their power consumption during the use phase when compared to their predecessors. The six certified models include three Neo QLED 8K and three Neo QLED 4K screens.² As Samsung aims to expand the scope of these efforts, it expects to earn carbon footprint certification for more than 20 models this year across its latest lineup of QLED, Crystal UHD and OLED TVs, as well as monitors and signage products.

In 2021, Samsung Neo QLED became the first screen to receive the certification among 4K and higher resolution TVs. The following year, 16 models across Samsung’s 2022 lineup, including 11 models from the QLED, Crystal UHD and Lifestyle TV range, as well as five monitors and signage products, also obtained the certification.

As the global TV leader for the 17th consecutive year, Samsung’s Visual Display Business continues to introduce eco-conscious products and practices for its display products.

For more information on Samsung’s 2023 TV lineup, please visit www.samsung.com.

¹ The Carbon Trust launched “Carbon Footprint Label” certificate program since 2007.
² Neo QLED 8K (75QN900C, 75QN800C, 75QN700C), Neo QLED 4K (75QN95C, 75QN90C, 75QN85C)

This episode introduces the world to Chief Uruma Kambeba, leader of the Tururukari-Uka people — an indigenous tribe located deep in Brazil’s Amazon Rainforest. Through Uruma’s eyes, we see the danger of illegal logging — an imminent threat to not only their people but the entirety of the Amazon. If deforestation continues at its current rate, the rainforest will surpass the tipping point of recovery, exposing the Earth to carbon dioxide and leaving the hundreds of ethnic groups in the Amazon, displaced.

Uruma himself experienced a 600-person invasion. All the villagers came together and successfully protested and stopped it. This, in turn, motivated Uruma to protect his home and his people more. As the leader of the Tururukari-Uka people, Uruma continues to lead the way, monitoring their territory and reporting illegal deforestation using smartphones. With the Galaxy S23 Ultra’s zooming capabilities, Uruma can now capture deforestation evidence at a safe distance without confronting invaders who are often armed. Uruma continues to collaborate with outside organizations, attends speaker events and welcomes technology to further their efforts.

For Uruma and his 12-year-old daughter Taissa, protecting nature and protecting their way of life are one and the same. Taissa wishes to continue Uruma’s legacy and share their indigenous culture with the outside world, speaking on behalf of the forest through her poems. Both show that even small seeds of action can grow into lasting change.

* Uruma was a Galaxy A31 user, and Samsung provided the Galaxy S23 Ultra to support their activities.

ENERGY STAR is the government-backed symbol for energy efficiency, providing simple, credible and unbiased information that consumers and businesses rely on to make well-informed decisions in the U.S.

Each year, the ENERGY STAR program honors a select group of businesses and organizations that have made outstanding contributions in the transition to a clean energy economy. ENERGY STAR award winners lead their industries in the production, sale and adoption of energy-efficient products, homes, buildings, services and strategies. These efforts are essential to fighting the climate crisis, protecting public health and creating a clean energy future for everyone.

“Not only does Samsung’s comprehensive environmental strategy include enterprise-wide net zero and 100% renewable energy goals, but we’re also raising the industry bar even higher on energy efficiency. Samsung is committed to implementing innovative, energy saving technologies in its home appliance, mobile and consumer electronics products — with the goal of lowering power consumption levels by an average of 30 percent by 2030 compared to like products released in 2019,” said Mark Newton, Head of Corporate Sustainability for Samsung Electronics America. “As a long-time ENERGY STAR partner and recipient of the rare Corporate Commitment Award, Samsung is proud to receive these tremendous recognitions from the EPA and DOE. We believe our ENERGY STAR collaboration to be paramount for our company, our customers, and — of course — our planet.”

“As we accelerate historic efforts to address climate change, public-private partnerships will be essential to realizing the scale of our ambition,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “I applaud this year’s ENERGY STAR award winners for working with EPA to deliver a clean energy future that saves American consumers and businesses money and creates jobs.”

The Sustained Excellence Award is the highest honor among ENERGY STAR Awards — and EPA presents the award to partners that have earned successive Partner of the Year awards and display continued leadership by demonstrating long-term commitments to climate action through energy efficiency. This marks the tenth year that Samsung has been named an ENERGY STAR Sustained Excellence partner in the Product Brand Owner category.

Beyond the efforts we’re making to minimize our environmental footprint, Samsung is empowering our consumers to make a meaningful impact on the environment through everyday changes with our eco-conscious products. In 2022, Samsung had 474 ENERGY STAR certified base models in the U.S., which is an increase compared to 2021. As of 2022, that includes 100% of Samsung dishwashers, notebooks, air purifiers, front-load washers and most of our refrigerators, as well as many of our top-load washers and dryers. Samsung’s investment in America is also tied to ENERGY STAR: all our front load and top load washers from our South Carolina facility are ENERGY STAR certified. Moreover, Samsung is the first major brand to certify many of its new Ultra HD 4K televisions to the latest ENERGY STAR criteria. As of 2022, Samsung global product efficiency improvements, as exemplified by our commitment to ENERGY STAR certified products, have helped our customers avoid an estimated 334 million metric tons of CO2 emissions through the use of our products since 2009 — the equivalent of taking over 71 million cars off the road for a year, nearly three quarters of all passenger cars registered in the U.S.

Moreover, Samsung’s efforts to enrich and expand SmartThings Energy, the first-of-its-kind solution designed to help people better understand and manage their energy use so that they can make smarter, more environmentally conscious decisions about consumption and reduce their carbon footprint, have led the U.S. EPA to award Samsung the industry’s first mass-market Smart Home Energy Management Systems (SHEMS) certification. The certification recognizes smart home appliances and services that manage and automate connected devices to help consumers gain insights into their energy use, thereby inspiring energy-saving behavior, reducing costs and helping to facilitate demand response measures that minimize stress on the grid.

The Sustained Excellence award for Energy Management is bestowed on ENERGY STAR partners that demonstrate year over year excellence in improving the energy performance of commercial buildings through a corporate-wide, portfolio-based energy program. Samsung Electronics America has a diverse portfolio of 45 owned and leased buildings located across the U.S. In addition to varying climates, the many buildings are also home to one or more distinct corporate activities from offices to warehouses and distributions centers to electronic and appliance labs. In 2022, Samsung doubled down on our commitment to ENERGY STAR and continued to retrofit major systems in some of our facilities with ENERGY STAR certified equipment and technologies related to HVAC and lighting controls. These continued investments reduce the impact on the climate by our facility operations and have led to an 8.6% reduction in energy use since 2019.

Another testament to our efforts was demonstrated by doubling the number of ENERGY STAR Tenant Space Recognitions in 2022 from six to twelve. This number ranks second nationally for most recognized Tenant Space properties with Samsung representing 17.39% of the total properties recognized nationally.

Samsung is humbled and honored by these recognitions from the ENERGY STAR program and is committed to advanced energy efficiency in our products and operations as part of our key environmental goals and a shared journey to helping mitigate our consumers’ impact on the planet.

For more information on the EPA’s ENERGY STAR Awards, head to www.energystar.gov/awardwinners. To learn more about Samsung’s commitment to sustainability, visit www.samsung.com/global/sustainability/.

The AWS International Water Stewardship Standard is a globally applicable framework for major water users to understand their water use and impact and to work collaboratively and transparently for sustainable water management within a catchment context. In the development of the AWS Standard, international organizations including CDP (Carbon Disclosure Project) and the UN Global Compact’s CEO Water Mandate are participated as founding members.

This is Samsung Electronics’ second global certification for sustainable water management. Having met the highest Carbon Trust standard by reducing water usage, Samsung earned the AWS certification for its water-resource management system.

“Through the AWS Platinum level certification of their semiconductor plant in Korea, Samsung joins a growing number of microelectronics companies that are taking credible, verifiable corporate action on water.” said Adrian Sym, CEO, Alliance for Water Stewardship. “As the fourth site in Korea to achieve AWS certification and the first in the country to achieve Platinum status, they are one of the first adopters of the AWS Standard in Korea and join 250 AWS certified sites globally.”

“The AWS certification reflects Samsung’s continual and ongoing efforts to manage water resource, such as communication and cooperation with wide range of stakeholders,” said Dooguen Song, Executive Vice President of the Environment, Health and Safety (EHS) Center at Samsung Electronics. “We will continue taking the lead in water resource management in closer cooperation with the government, local communities and industry players.”

The AWS Standard 2.0 is evaluated based on a total of 100 indicators, including stable water management, water pollutant management, water hygiene, domestic impact of biodiversity and governance establishment. There are three levels of AWS Standard certifications: Core, Gold and Platinum; the greater the number of points achieved, the higher the level of water stewardship performance and AWS certification.

In celebration of World Water Day 2023, Samsung Electronics has also unveiled a special animated ESG video via the Samsung Semiconductor Newsroom’s YouTube channel. The video illustrates a revitalized Osan Stream, restored by a rich amount of clean water discharged from Samsung’s semiconductor site, enabling the return of otters and an improved biological ecosystem.

About The Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS)
The Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS) is a global organization that promotes sustainable water use and management through the implementation of the AWS Standard. The AWS brings together a diverse group of stakeholders to collaborate on water stewardship initiatives. Learn more at https://a4ws.org/about/.

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Updated on March 28, 2023, to provide more detailed information: Recycled PBT (Polybutylene Terephthalate), sourced from 10% of discarded PET bottles, has been used in the front case of the Galaxy S23 Ultra.

Samsung’s SmartThings Energy service comes with a range of intelligent features and activations that help users practice everyday sustainability through the monitoring and reduction of their smart home’s energy usage.

However, Samsung is aiming to take the SmartThings Energy offering to the next level by having it be at the core of the Net Zero Home, wherein all a household’s energy consumption is managed with energy generated within the home itself. In order to further this mission, Samsung is working with Siemens on their Smart City housing project in Sterling Ranch, Colorado, U.S.A. to help realize the sustainable housing community using the connectivity of the SmartThings platform.

From at-home energy production and storage to real-time monitoring and AI-powered energy management, the Smart City Project featuring the SmartThings Energy service is set to allow its users to live more eco-conscious lives. Take a look at the infographic below to learn more.

“We will continue to enhance our business resilience and maintain a robust business continuity management system to handle not only conventional crises but also newly emerging issues such as global supply chain disturbance,” said Taeyang Yoon, Executive Vice President and Chief Safety Officer (CSO) of DS Division at Samsung Electronics. “Through these efforts, our customers can rely on our leading semiconductor technology even in the most unexpected circumstances.”

A BCMS helps organizations secure business continuity by systematically laying out the steps to resume their business after an unexpected crisis or disaster. The system not only deals with the initial emergency response but also focuses on recovering and resuming its core business activities in the shortest possible timeframe. The ISO 22301 is the international standard for BCMS, representing the highest level of commitment to business continuity and disaster preparedness.

Samsung Electronics worked to advance its BCMS for Hwaseong Campus to meet global standards, in order to better deal with the rapidly changing global environment as well as enhancing the level of trust between Samsung and its customers. As part of this process, Samsung evaluated the risks that could affect its chip business and prepared for them through precautionary exercises such as an emergency drill.

Having received global recognition of its business resilience with the ISO 22301 certification, customer confidence in Samsung is expected to grow. Samsung is planning to attain ISO 22301 certifications for its other semiconductor campuses in Korea and abroad from this year.

“Samsung showed strong will in having a robust business continuity management system, and displayed world-class crisis monitoring and response capabilities,” said SeongHwan Lim, Chief Operating Officer of BSI Korea.

Samsung Electronics today shared its vision for a calmer connected world through cutting-edge technologies that enhance the lives of users by providing smarter and more intuitive experiences. Speaking at a press conference at CES^® 2023, Samsung and its key partners came together to outline details about how they plan to build a better-connected world while contributing to a more sustainable future.

Jong-Hee (JH) Han, Vice Chairman, CEO and Head of the DX (Device eXperience) Division at Samsung Electronics, opened the company’s presence at CES by highlighting Samsung’s strategy to deliver on the promise of the connected experience across the key touchpoints in our lives — in our homes, cars and at work — while also working to build a more sustainable future. The strategy outlined during the press conference focuses on the company’s aim of bringing calm to our connected world so that devices and innovation can genuinely enable better, more personal and more intuitive experiences. To do this, Samsung is focusing on seamlessly connecting devices and designing products to make the everyday use of technology more sustainable.

▲ Jong-Hee (JH) Han, Vice Chairman, CEO and Head of the DX (Device eXperience) Division at Samsung Electronics, introduces the theme of “Bringing Calm to Our Connected World,” the aim of which is to make life easier by connecting technology seamlessly.

“We recognize our vision is a big one,” said CEO JH Han. “It’s about solving real challenges today and understanding consumers’ future needs and aspirations. It will take time, innovation and cooperation with partners worldwide. But we are committed to achieving it and already getting started.”

Samsung Incorporates Sustainability at Every Level

To address our planet’s ongoing challenges, Samsung highlighted how it continues to prioritize the environment through a combination of sustainability targets, innovative product design and strategic partnerships. As a result, by 2050, all of Samsung’s businesses will match their electricity needs with renewable energy and reach net zero carbon emissions. In the nearer term, the DX Division will transition to 100 percent renewable energy by 2027 and achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2030.

▲ Inhee Chung, Vice President of Corporate Sustainability Center at Samsung Electronics, outlines the company’s new environmental strategy for everyday sustainability.

To further the company’s sustainability goals, Samsung outlined how Everyday Sustainability — building sustainability features into the company’s most popular products and services — will contribute to a healthier environment. This includes creating more sustainable products through innovative design in materials and energy efficiency.

“By building sustainability into the product experience, we, and the many people around the world who use our products, can contribute to a healthier planet,” said Inhee Chung, Vice President of Corporate Sustainability Center at Samsung. “As a result, some of our most popular products are now some of our most sustainable.”

Samsung announced that many of its TVs and smartphones use recycled materials, including recycled plastic from discarded finishing nets, while the company’s home appliances, memory and 5G radio network chipsets are contributing to energy savings for customers. In addition, Samsung’s connected services, such as SmartThings Energy and AI Energy Mode, are also helping consumers save energy and cut costs while lowering their overall climate impact.

▲ Vincent Stanley, Director of Philosophy at Patagonia, highlights the company’s collaboration with Samsung to create a new wash cycle called Less Microfiber, a groundbreaking function that reduces microplastic release by 54% during a laundry cycle.

Samsung also shared the stage with Patagonia, a global leader in outdoor clothing, to discuss a partnership to combat the issue of microplastics – the tiny particles often found in clothes and released into oceans, lakes and rivers through the laundry. Vincent Stanley, Director of Philosophy at Patagonia, spoke at the Samsung press conference about how the two companies have developed a new wash technology called the Less Microfiber Cycle,¹ currently being incorporated into Samsung washing machines, which can reduce microplastic release by 54%² during a laundry cycle. Like the Less Microfiber Cycle, Samsung and Patagonia recently developed the new Less Microfiber Filter,³ which reduces microplastic discharge by preventing them from escaping into the ocean at the end of a wash cycle.

▲ James Kwon, Product Manager, ENERGY STAR for Consumer Electronics at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), discusses Samsung’s efforts to increase energy savings throughout its products.

Meanwhile, James Kwon, Product Manager, ENERGY STAR for Consumer Electronics at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), announced that Samsung’s connected home experience with SmartThings is the first mass-market Smart Home Energy Management System to earn the prestigious ENERGY STAR SHEMS Certification. Samsung also continues to collaborate with diverse stakeholders in its sustainability efforts. For example, Samsung joined with the Carbon Trust and other technology leaders to develop the industry’s first specification for measuring, accounting for and decarbonizing the emissions associated with connected devices while being used by customers.

A Connected Home and Connected Life Built on Convenience

▲ Jaeyeon Jung, Executive Vice President and Head of SmartThings, introduces Samsung’s SmartThings system that provides more efficient and intuitive personalized experiences by maximizing connected devices and home appliances.

Samsung detailed plans to fulfill the connected experience today and in the future. During the company’s press conference, Jaeyeon Jung, Executive Vice President and Head of SmartThings, highlighted how features like SmartThings Home Monitor and SmartThings Pet Care bring convenience to the connected experience by monitoring and sharing alerts for anything out of the ordinary – for people and pets. Prompted by Samsung Smart TV, these services are some of the many ways Samsung and the connected platform SmartThings are creating an even smarter home.

▲ Alana Gomez-Solis, Corporate Communications Specialist at Samsung Electronics America, highlights how the many diverse features of SmartThings shape our daily lives.

A key part of this vision is increased interoperability, enabling consumers to connect more of their devices, whether they are Samsung’s or from a partner brand. As the industry looks to bring about a new level of compatibility through the Matter smart home standard, Samsung stated its commitment to this partnership philosophy. SmartThings was one of the first brands to adopt Matter, and Samsung is a founding member of the Home Connectivity Alliance (HCA).

Also, at the CES press conference, Samsung announced the latest smart home innovation, with the SmartThings Station — its first product to have Matter support built-in right from the beginning. It is a convenient, new way to kick-start SmartThings experiences at home and make it easier to interact with connected devices. SmartThings Station turns Samsung’s wireless charger into a smart home hub that can seamlessly transform the state of your home at the touch of a button.⁴

▲ Jasper Vervoort, Senior Vice President and General Manager at Philips Hue, presents the concept for a wholistic smart home experience, made possible through a growing technological ecosystem of various partnerships.

The focus on connected experiences also extended to unveiling new partnerships, including announcing an expanded collaboration with Philips Hue. Jasper Vervoort, Senior Vice President and General Manager at Philips Hue, discussed a new way to sync the content from Samsung TVs with Philips Hue lighting through the Philips Hue Sync TV app, which can be downloaded from the app store on Samsung TVs. This is the first solution to sync lighting and content from Samsung TVs without additional hardware.

▲ Shin Baik, Principal Engineer of Security Team, Mobile eXperience Business, shares the latest advancements in security and privacy with Knox Matrix, built on Samsung’s defense-grade security platform, to underscore the company’s commitment to keeping users’ data safe and secure.

With more devices connected than ever, Samsung also detailed how security and privacy innovations will be keys to building connected device ecosystems. The company is taking its device security experiences to the next level with its upcoming solution, Samsung Knox Matrix, which will conveniently and safely sync credentials across devices while protecting sensitive information via multi-layered mutual monitoring enabled by private blockchain technology.

▲ Marcus Futterlieb of HARMAN presents revamped in-vehicle experiences, including Ready Care that make driving safer and more comfortable using the latest technologies.

The connected experience is also extending to your commute. Marcus Futterlieb from HARMAN unveiled Samsung and HARMAN’s plans to inject a new level of intelligence, personalization and convenience into the in-cabin experience (ICX). Central to this effort is HARMAN Ready Care, which uses a machine learning algorithm to gather and process data from the car’s sensors to measure driver drowsiness and distraction, providing tailored interventions to mitigate risks and help improve the well-being of the driver.

A Vision for the Future

▲ Sebastian Seung, President of Samsung Research, explains the future of SmartThings related to Spatial AI and how it will continue to enrich our interactions with technology in the future.

The company also showcased next-generation innovations and technologies using the latest artificial intelligence (AI). Experiences enabled by Spatial AI — like in the JetBot AI+ — are laying the groundwork for better in-home experiences specific to the dimensions and environment of your space.

Samsung also gave a preview of Relumino Mode, which will come to select 2023 Samsung Neo QLED 8K and 4K TVs this year to make content viewing possible for people with vision impairment. Relumino Mode highlights outlines and improves contrast and color so that content is clearer and easier to enjoy.⁵ In addition, Samsung also displayed a new pair of Relumino glasses, which first debuted at CES 2018 as part of its startup acceleration program C-Lab project, as well as its mobile app to make the visual experience more enjoyable and personalized on every screen.

For more information, please visit Samsung.com.

¹ Already available for Samsung washers in Europe and will expand availability to Korea in February and to the U.S. soon.

² Tested with 2kg load of 100% polyester hoodies, comparing Synthetics cycle on Samsung Conventional model of European washer WW4000T and the Less Microfiber cycle on WW7000B. The results may be different depending on the clothes and environment. Tested by the Ocean Wise Plastics Lab.

³ Will be available in the first half of this year in Europe.

⁴ Available with SmartThings App on Android or iOS devices. A Wi-Fi connection is required.

⁵ Relumino Mode targets those who suffer from severe visual acuity loss (Source: WHO, World report on vision, 2019) and symptoms of blurry vision. Some features may be supported at a different time, and service availability may not be available at the time of purchase of this product. Relumino Mode is applied for TV models QN80C, QN90C, QN800C, QN900C and works on sources provided through DTV and HDMI only. The Mode does not work on other sources, OTTs, etc.

We now have to navigate uncharted waters where everything is changing — from technology to markets to consumers — and we face additional challenges of the pandemic and uncertainties in the global economy.

As such, the “environment” and the “experience” of how we live has become more important, and our concern for creating a sustainable future has deepened.

As the global leader in consumer electronics and Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), I believe Samsung Electronics has a responsibility to establish an eco-conscious value chain through our innovative technologies and products, as well as to provide more valuable and enlightening experiences to each and every consumer.

That is why Samsung has been focusing all its efforts to recognize sustainable innovation as the essential value and key element in our business.

At CES 2023 in January, Samsung will outline its plan for “Bringing Calm to Our Connected World” by underlining our responsibilities and vision to strive towards this goal and share our journey together for creating a sustainable and prosperous future.

SmartThings: Providing Evolved Hyper-Connected Experiences That Are Invisible Yet Present in Our Lives

At CES 2023, Samsung will present a new and expanded SmartThings experience that integrates your home ecosystem even more seamlessly with a system, that is supported by enhanced security.

We will also explore easier and safer ways to connect devices and appliances, and how to make customized experiences for each user even more precise with AI.

We are closely cooperating with various industry partners to embody the SmartThings experience, creating a new path to provide optimal and customized connected experiences to users according to their individual preferences and lifestyles.

Sustainable Future in the Hyper-Connected Era

In order to provide better daily life experiences, Samsung has been paying attention to how technology can address difficulties and problems encountered in everyday life. In addition, we have continued to identify ways to contribute to creating a more sustainable future by developing products that are sustainable and equipped with innovative technologies.

Since we announced our new environmental strategy in September, we have underlined how we plan to contribute to overcoming the climate crisis through our innovative technologies, including ultra-low power semiconductors and energy saving products. We also announced our goal to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050.

Saving energy through SmartThings and developing eco-conscious innovative products showcase how we are upholding our sustainable, forward-thinking values.

In addition, we are actively promoting our environmental and societal efforts by participating in sustainable business management partnerships with other stakeholders, such as international organizations, industries and citizens.

We joined the steering committee for the Asia Clean Energy Coalition (ACEC) together with major global companies and NGOs to expand renewable energy supply to its major production bases in Asia.

Furthermore, we joined the Semiconductor Climate Consortium (SCC) as a founding member during the COP27 UN Climate Change Conference held in November. Through this organization, we aim to set and implement plans to reduce the overall greenhouse gas emissions of the semiconductor industry, create eco-conscious ecosystems by setting a carbon reduction target, develop greenhouse gas reduction technologies and support green technology startups.

We will continue to pave the way for the hyper-connected era, empowering consumers to help create a sustainable future by simply using Samsung products.

One More Step for Mankind: Samsung’s Sustainable Journey

When developing new technology for users, we have always been asking the question, “What should we do?” rather than “What can we do?” This is because technology can change the way people communicate with and experience the world, make daily life more enriching and can act as the driving force toward a better future.

At CES 2023, we will show our industry-leading efforts that go beyond simply making great products with advanced technologies and aim to unleash new experiences through technology, making our daily lives and the world even better.

Every year, judged by a panel of sustainability and environmental, social and governance (ESG) experts, the SEAL Awards recognizes the most impactful sustainability initiatives and top companies that drive environmental progress. Samsung is a recipient of the SEAL Sustainable Product Award, which honors inspiring purpose-built products that move and change the world in a better way.

“We are honored to receive the 2022 SEAL Sustainable Product Award for our efforts to advance more circular product designs and by doing more with less when it comes to ocean plastic waste,” said Sungsun Park, EVP and Head of Mechanical R&D Team of MX Business at Samsung Electronics. “Samsung is committed to continuing our sustainability journey and unleashing the company’s scale, innovation and spirit of open collaboration to deliver even more tangible climate actions.”

“A staggering 640,000 tons of fishing equipment are abandoned in the ocean each year, trapping and entangling marine life and damaging coral reefs. We applaud Samsung for transforming the Galaxy smartphone series to combat this environmental challenge,” said Matt Harney, Founder of SEAL Awards.

Discarded fishing nets are one of the most widespread and invasive ocean-bound plastics that pose a serious threat to marine life and our planet. Samsung first incorporated recycled discarded fishing nets with the Galaxy S22 series and since then, has used the material in designs throughout the Galaxy ecosystem, including in tablets, laptops and earbuds. By collaborating with like-minded organizations, Samsung created a new material from recycled ocean-bound plastic and upheld its high-quality standards.

This innovation is part of Samsung MX’s sustainability vision, Galaxy for the Planet, which outlines the company’s journey to taking tangible climate actions across global business operations and product lifecycles. Through Galaxy for the Planet, Samsung strives to develop and incorporate recycled materials in all new products, eliminate single-use plastics in mobile packaging, achieve zero standby power consumption for all smartphone chargers and divert all waste from landfill by 2025.

About the SEAL Awards
SEAL (Sustainability, Environmental Achievement & Leadership) Awards is an environmental advocacy organization that honors leadership through our business sustainability awards & environmental journalism awards while funding research and pursuing our own environmental impact campaigns.

The SEAL Awards’ core pillars are:

• Business Sustainability Awards — honors the most sustainable companies in the world, like Adidas, AMD, Cisco and Tide
• Environmental Journalism Awards — representative past winners include journalists from Guardian, New York Times and Grist
  
• Impact Campaigns — representative campaigns include “#UpTheCup” and “Eco Rewards”
• Environmental Research Grants
  

For more information, please visit https://sealawards.com/.

Samsung Electronics has announced its new environmental strategy, a comprehensive effort to join the global movement to tackle climate change. At the heart of the new commitment is achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050 by using innovative technologies to implement sustainability throughout its production process, product lifecycle and more — enabling a greener future for all.

In line with this vision, ESG — or environmental, social and corporate governance — is much more than a buzzword at Samsung Electronics, and we believe that having a positive impact on the planet starts with our employees. That’s why we’re highlighting Samsung workers around the world who are leading the way in cultivating a culture of sustainability and social responsibility. We’re breaking down the ins and outs of ESG throughout Samsung and answering your questions on how we’re building a better tomorrow for all.

Next in our new series on how Samsung employees worldwide are building a more sustainable future, we have two women blazing the trail, Francesca Falco and Paula Byrne from the Samsung European Public Affairs Office.

A Day in the Lives of ESG Influencers

There’s more to Brussels than chocolate and waffles. Located in Belgium, Brussels is known for being the unofficial capital of the E.U. due to its long history of hosting several principal E.U. institutions, including the European Commission, Council of the European Union, European Council and European Parliament. Since ESG is subject to increasingly heavy European legislation, the Samsung European Public Affairs office based in Brussels is integral to driving the ESG movement across the company and the continent.

Francesca and Paula work together for Samsung in the Brussels European Public Affairs office, reinforcing Samsung’s ESG strategy. “Our office is in charge of government relations with E.U. institutions,” said Francesca. “This includes building and maintaining strong relationships with the E.U., international organizations and other stakeholders in the areas of sustainability and corporate citizenship.”

The pair monitor and offer guidance on sustainability and corporate responsibility across not only the entire product lifecycle but also Samsung’s corporate activities. From publishing regular reports on environmental impact to collaborating with executives to ensure company-wide transparency and creating an overreaching strategy for Europe, these two women unite people and policy to spearhead a sustainable movement across the entirety of Samsung.

So what’s a day in the life like for these ESG experts?

Francesca and Paula go to work by bicycle. For them, sustainability isn’t just a job — it’s a lifestyle. Fortunately, the Samsung office in Brussels makes living green easy for employees. As the office is located in a walkable neighborhood that is well-served by public transport and easily reached by bike, many employees opt for more green ways to commute. This not only reduces their footprint but also earns them some healthy daily exercise.

Once they’re in the office, Francesca and Paula always greet each other before they start their day. Their daily schedules vary widely — ESG is a broad domain, so their agendas are never quite the same.

“One moment I’m organizing an event for students, the next, I’m reading the European Commission’s latest regulation on eco-design, and a moment later, I’m meeting with other companies to discuss energy efficiency,” said Francesca. “I cover a wide range of topics and tasks, so it never gets boring.”

Building Out a More Sustainable Supply Chain

Above all, Paula believes in the power of partnership — which she brings daily to her role as an Environmental Social Governance Expert for Samsung European Public Affairs.

Paula has been most passionate about her work advising suppliers and customers on safety, health, well-being, good labor practices, human rights and the environment, which has already seen fruitful results. As a global company, Samsung’s supply chain has an enormous reach and footprint. By working with the men and women shaping the future of ESG standards in Europe and around the world, Paula too hopes to shape the future of ESG at Samsung.

Samsung has adopted a thorough and transparent evaluation process and criteria for its new suppliers. “Samsung’s Eco-Partner evaluation system ensures that all materials used for Samsung products do not contain harmful chemicals or materials,” explained Paula. “Through this program, Samsung requests that all partner companies meet environmental criteria and evaluate themselves regularly.”

Samsung strives to build strategic partnerships with the best-performing suppliers based on mutual trust and offers its suppliers a variety of programs to support funding, education and innovation.

According to Paula, these partnerships are a perfect win-win for Samsung and its customers to create sustainable value. She plans to achieve greater results by sharing skills and knowledge, building both Samsung and her clients’ reputations as sustainable companies.

Helping Students Stay Safe, Responsible and Healthy Online

As a Senior Corporate Citizenship and Sustainability Expert at Samsung European Public Affairs, Francesca has an interest in managing the company’s Corporate Citizenship activities in Europe, focusing on education and digital well-being.

Working on such a large scale is certainly impressive, but the personal impact Francesca has on people’s daily lives is what excites her the most. One stand-out example was Samsung’s activities promoting online safety among young people, parents and teachers, which was also Francesca’s first project at the company.

“Every year, Samsung sells millions of technological products which could end up in the hands of young consumers,” said Francesca. “I am proud that as a responsible business, in many European countries, we help create awareness and provide the technical tools minors, parents and caretakers need to use our connected devices safely.”

When it comes to Samsung’s approach to online safety, Francesca explained that we must prepare people with digital skills, provide knowledge and tools to use technology thoughtfully and safely and protect users from harmful content or behavior. As part of Samsung’s Better Internet for Kids Youth Pledge, Francesca mobilized several European subsidiaries to work together and organize workshops to involve youth in Samsung’s discussions on age-appropriate design and online safety features.

Francesca even had the chance to present Samsung’s efforts at the 2020 Safer Internet Forum and later, to European institutions and stakeholders — demonstrating the wide reach of her efforts.

“This type of activity, which goes beyond legal compliance, shows that Samsung is putting in genuine efforts to make a better future,” said Francesca. “Now that Samsung has announced its new environmental strategy, we look forward to supporting our headquarters’ climate and circular economy efforts with regional initiatives.”

Growing a Green Company Culture

Francesca and Paula strive to be eco-conscious whether they’re at home or in the office. For instance, both Francesca and Paula try to promote more sustainable choices as part of their office culture, such as reducing paper and plastic use and organizing recycling more efficiently.

Their entire office even got on board, installing a water filtration system for drinking water — in doing so, eliminating the use of plastic bottles — and replacing the coffee capsule machine with a bean-to-cup coffee machine.

After all, when it comes to making changes that protect the planet, Francesca believes it all comes down to mindset.

“The main obstacle to real change is the feeling that individual choices have no or limited impact. This is far from true,” said Francesca. “Our choice of how we get to work, what we eat, how we hold meetings and how many business trips we take can inspire those around us and create a wave of change.”

“We have one planet, and the mistreatment of it affects us all,” added Paula. “It is important to drive employees and consumers to make better choices for the environment. Environmental harm is closely connected to people, our work, our health and the general well-being and stability in our communities.”

Green Is Gold

Over the years, sustainability has gone from a “good to have” to a “must have.” From an individual to a company-wide level, there is a much bigger awareness of the need for ESG in business. This passion starts from its employees and drives positive change at Samsung at all levels: from design and manufacturing to sales and communication.

“It is crucial that my employer is a responsible corporate citizen because I want to work for a company that shares my values and matches my lifestyle choices,” said Francesca. “I love using my knowledge and skills to make a positive impact on the world, and I take great pride in knowing that with Samsung, I contributed to the launch and deployment of environmental and educational activities.”

“Technology can really be used for the good of the planet, profit and people,” added Paula. “Working for a company that considers the care of our planet as a key target is smart and can remain in business for future generations.

Companies have an important role in protecting the ecosystem and preserving natural resources for future generations. At Samsung, we strive to be the most socially responsible workplace we can be and to integrate sustainability into daily life for our employees.

In 2020, Ally Mitchell, a longtime commercial diver, was asked to join a salvage operation for a cargo ship that had been wrecked near his home in Scotland. When he began work on the wreck, he was faced with thousands of tons of material, comprised mostly of shredded plastic. In that moment, he was inspired to take on a new mission: to make a difference in the world by tackling ocean-bound plastic.

For six months, Ally worked in his shed to bring to life a bold idea, one that sought to redefine a product that millions of people around the world use. With no manufacturing experience, he documented every step of the way on his Galaxy smartphone, and eventually, he had his breakthrough: recycled Ocean Plastic Pots.

Today, as his work continues to grow, Ally shares the positive impact of his pots through vibrant photos of the plastic he collects on beaches. Customers can see how the color of this plastic is the same as the color of the pots, which helps emphasize the circularity of the process and provides a tangible connection between the plastic Ally collects and the colorful pots he transforms it into. Ally also insists on sharing all the trial-and-error involved in his project by filming and uploading the different product development stages online, inspiring the next generation to continue the critical work of protecting the planet. It is also a reminder of just how creative this work can be.

Ally’s story of how he used Galaxy technology to rethink the problem of plastic and work towards a better future for everyone is both inventive and inspiring, and the story isn’t over yet.

To learn more about Ally’s mission to transform ocean-bound plastic, check out the Voices of Galaxy video below.

Starting this year, Samsung will accelerate its push towards creating a sustainable future. In addition, Samsung will maximize resource circulation and develop technologies to aid in reducing pollution and emissions, bringing the vision of a cleaner, more sustainable future closer to fruition.

To learn more about Samsung’s efforts to create a sustainable planet for future generations, check out the infographic below.

Samsung Electronics today announced its new environmental strategy, a comprehensive effort to join global efforts to tackle climate change. It includes commitments to achieve enterprise-wide net zero carbon emissions and plans to use more renewable energy, as well as to invest in and research new technologies to develop energy-efficient products, increase water reuse and develop carbon capture technology.

At the heart of the new commitment is achieving net zero carbon emissions (Scope 1 & Scope 2) for all operations in the Device eXperience (DX) Division by 2030, and across all global operations, including the Device Solutions (DS) Division, by 2050. The DX Division encompasses the company’s consumer electronics businesses, including Mobile eXperience, Visual Display, Digital Appliances, Networks and Health & Medical Equipment, while the DS Division includes the Memory, System LSI and Foundry businesses.

Samsung Electronics has also joined RE100, a global initiative dedicated to pursuing 100 percent renewable energy. As part of this commitment, the company plans to match electric power needs of all international markets where it operates, outside of Korea, with renewable energy within five years.

The new plan builds on Samsung Electronics’ existing climate efforts, significantly expanding the scope of its programs and investments. Samsung will develop new technologies and implement further sustainable practices to enable a brighter future for all.

“The climate crisis is one of the greatest challenges of our time. The consequences of inaction are unimaginable and require the contribution of every one of us, including businesses and governments,” said Jong-Hee Han, Vice Chairman and CEO of Samsung Electronics. “Samsung is responding to the threats of climate change with a comprehensive plan that includes reducing emissions, new sustainability practices and the development of innovative technologies and products that are better for our planet.”

Samsung Electronics’ environmental commitment also encompasses an enterprise-wide effort to enhance resource circularity throughout the entire product lifecycle, from raw material sourcing to recycling and disposal. The plan also details investments in new technologies to reduce emissions from process gases as well as to reduce power consumption in consumer products. The company also plans to explore carbon capture and utilization technologies and tackle harmful airborne particulate matter.

In recognition of the need for innovative approaches around environmental sustainability, Samsung Electronics will invest over KRW 7 trillion in its environmental initiatives by 2030, including reducing process gases, conserving water, expanding electronic waste collection and reducing pollutants. The investment figure excludes costs related to expansion of renewable energy use.

Net Zero Direct and Indirect Carbon Emissions by 2050

Samsung Electronics plans to achieve net zero direct and indirect carbon emissions by 2050, with the DX Division achieving its goal by 2030. By reaching net zero direct and indirect carbon emissions, Samsung Electronics expects to reduce the equivalent of about 17 million tons of carbon dioxide-equivalent (CO2e) emissions based on 2021 figures.

To propel these efforts, Samsung Electronics will invest heavily in innovative technologies for treatment facilities that reduce carbon emissions. The company plans to develop new technologies to significantly reduce process gases — a byproduct of semiconductor manufacturing — and install treatment facilities on its semiconductor manufacturing lines by 2030. Samsung Electronics will continue to expand waste heat utilization facilities and consider introducing electric heat sources to reduce LNG boiler usage.

Samsung Electronics has joined RE100, in a collaborative effort to reduce indirect carbon emissions from power consumption, and aims to match electric power needs with renewable energy by 2050 for all operations globally. As part of this initiative, Samsung Electronics plans to run all operations outside of Korea as well as the DX Division on renewable energy within five years. The company’s renewable energy sourcing methods will include, but not limited to, signing power purchase agreements (PPA), purchasing renewable energy certificates and participating in green pricing programs.

The goal for matching electricity use with renewable energy is 2022 for Southwest Asia and Vietnam; 2025 for Central and Latin America; and 2027 for Southeast Asia, CIS and Africa. In the U.S., China and Europe, which have already matched electric power use with renewable energy, Samsung Electronics plans to move towards expanding renewable energy power purchase agreements (PPA).

RE100 cites Korea, where many of Samsung Electronics’ production facilities are based, as one of the most challenging countries to source renewable energy. This is in part due to the country’s renewable energy market, where procurement options for corporations have begun to expand but remain limited. Additionally, the electric power needs of semiconductor manufacturing facilities have continued to increase with the expansion of Samsung Electronics’ production capacity to meet global demand. However, the company will aim to achieve renewable energy use more proactively, acknowledging the urgency of today’s climate challenges. The company will also strengthen cooperation with different stakeholders, including peers in the technology industry, international organizations and NGOs.

Ultra-Low Power Products and Resource Circularity

Part of Samsung Electronics’ pledge for a healthier planet includes ensuring its products are energy-efficient and use less electricity, while also ensuring that the entire product lifecycle is more sustainable, from raw material sourcing to disposal and recycling.

Ultra-Low Power Semiconductors and Energy-Efficient Electronics Products

Samsung Electronics plans to tap new low-power technologies to reduce energy consumption in every day consumer electronics. This includes development of new ultra-low power memory chips that aim to significantly reduce the annual power consumption of memory products used in data centers and mobile devices by 2025 compared to current products.

The company will also implement low-power technologies in major models of seven consumer electronics products — smartphones, refrigerators, washing machines, air conditioners, TVs, monitors and PCs — with the goal of lowering power consumption levels by an average of 30 percent in 2030 compared to products with the same specifications in 2019.

Going forward, Samsung Electronics will set mid-to long-term reduction targets for value chain emissions (Scope 3). Samsung Electronics will also focus on new approaches to reduce emissions in areas such as supply chains, logistics and resource circularity, as well as supporting suppliers in setting their emissions targets and reduction efforts.

Maximizing Resource Circularity Across the Entire Product Lifecycle

Samsung Electronics will double down on efforts to improve the resource circularity of electronics over the entire lifecycle of a product, from raw material sourcing to disposal and recycling, ensuring that every resource is used with as little impact on the environment as possible.

This all starts with reassessing the use of natural resources in product development. Samsung Electronics has created a new Circular Economy Lab to conduct comprehensive research on material recycling technologies and resource extraction processes from waste with the aim of applying these technologies to maximize resource circularity. In addition, Samsung Electronics plans to establish a system by 2030 in which minerals extracted from all collected waste batteries can be reused.

Also by 2030, the company aims to have 50 percent of the plastic used in its products incorporate recycled resin. The year 2050 will see this figure increase to 100 percent. The Galaxy Z Fold4 has already been designed to incorporate plastics recycled from discarded fishing nets and the success seen here will soon be expanded to additional products.

To address sustainability after product use, Samsung Electronics plans to expand the scope of its electronic waste collection system from approximately 50 countries to about 180 countries by 2030. Through this, the company plans to collect a cumulative 10 million tons of electronic waste between 2009 and 2030, the highest target in the industry and a cumulative 25 million tons by 2050. Samsung Electronics will also actively promote an upcycling program that collects used smartphones and reuses them for other purposes such as IoT (Internet of Things) devices.

Water Conservation and Pollutant Treatment Measures

Samsung Electronics also plans to maximize water resource efficiency. As domestic semiconductor manufacturing capacity expands, the daily water withdrawal needs from Samsung Electronics’ semiconductor operations in Korea are projected to double from current levels by 2030. However, the company is committing to maximizing water reuse, therefore keeping actual water withdrawals to 2021 levels.

For the DX Division, the company plans to promote water reuse by improving its water treatment facilities and to restore the same amount of water as it consumes by 2030 through water restoration projects such as water quality improvement and stream restoration.

Simultaneously, the DS Division aims to apply new technologies that remove air and water pollutants emitted during the semiconductor manufacturing process and treat them before being discharged to ensure that they have almost no additional impact on the environment from 2040.

Company-wide, Samsung Electronics plans to obtain a platinum-level Zero Waste to Landfill Certification issued by global safety certification organization Underwriters Laboratories (UL) for all global operations by 2025.

Invest in and Develop Innovative Technologies for a Sustainable Future

Samsung Electronics intends to apply the company’s leading technology in addressing global climate challenges. In particular, the company will focus on developing carbon capture and utilization technologies to reduce carbon emissions and clean air technologies to reduce particulate matter, which has become a pressing global environmental challenge.

The Carbon Capture Research Institute was established within the Samsung Advanced Institute of Technology (SAIT) in September 2021, the first of its kind in the semiconductor industry. The key mission of the Institute is to develop and commercialize carbon capture and utilization technologies that make it possible to store carbon discharged from semiconductor industrial sites and turn it into a usable resource. The technologies developed by the Institute will first be applied to semiconductor production lines after 2030 and then to other parts of the company as well as its suppliers.

The company will also develop clean air technologies, including new filtration systems, to reduce particulate matter and plans to expand usage to local communities from 2030.

Additionally, Samsung Electronics plans to identify and invest in startups that support innovative green technologies. The company is also committed to fostering ideas and supporting projects that tackle climate change through its C-Lab, the in-house venture incubation and external start-up acceleration program.

Accountability and Tracking Progress

To ensure accountability, Samsung Electronics will have its efforts objectively verified by designated organizations. Its performance will be assessed via participation in the Samsung Institute of EHS Strategy’s certification system and verified by a Carbon Reduction Verification Committee that includes third-party experts.

The company has developed implementation roadmaps for each environmental goal, including the net zero and circular economy targets, and will track progress and ensure robust implementation through the Sustainability Council, chaired by the CEO, and the Sustainability Committee, consisting of outside directors.

AI Energy Mode, a power-saving feature from Samsung’s SmartThings Energy, is exactly this kind of solution. AI Energy Mode is powered to bring all manner of positive changes and handy solutions to the household, cutting costs and making life smoother at every turn, and its diverse features, such as AI Ecobubble, cover a broad range of household areas.

Using AI-enhanced systems to weigh laundry loads, set defrosting cycles and estimate electricity bills, AI Energy Mode intelligently keeps track of all kinds of variables. When a refrigerator door is opened or a room’s temperature dips, SmartThings’ algorithm takes notice and responds, building a bigger picture of household usage patterns and passing the savings on to users.

Impressive savings in energy and cost have been recorded across the board, taking stress off the consumer and the environment alike, and this is just the beginning of Samsung’s vision of truly efficient, eco-conscious homes. Samsung’s intention is to make all of its key household appliances Wi-Fi enabled and SmartThings compatible by 2023, while its Net Zero Home project, in partnership with Qcells, is aimed at creating the holistic home of the future today, with SmartThings storing and managing renewable energy from inbuilt solar panels.

* Internal testing specifications have been revised on January 31, 2023 to provide more accurate information.

“As we set our vision on becoming the No. 1 energy efficient appliance brand, we are excited to showcase the Samsung appliances and technologies that are making it possible,” said Hyesoon Yang, EVP and Head of Customer Experience of the Digital Appliances at Samsung Electronics. “Thanks to SmartThings Energy maximizing the features of Samsung appliances, users can enjoy the latest in appliance technologies while also being eco-conscious at home.”

No. 1 Energy Efficient Refrigerators Offer Advanced Cooling and Power Savings

When it comes to at-home sustainability, the kitchen is a key focus area because it houses large appliances that are perpetually running. Fresh food storage, for example, requires refrigerators to maintain continuous operation and, consequently, a consistent power draw.

Addressing this, Samsung’s refrigerators were designed to reduce energy consumption and carbon footprint while optimizing food storage. Samsung refrigerators are rated No. 1 in energy efficiency in their category and, in fact, provide an added 10% extra savings on top the current highest energy rating standard. Also, SmartThings Energy with AI Energy Mode helps intelligently reduce energy usage for refrigerators by up to 30%.²

SpaceMax technology allows for a spacious interior in refrigerators without adding bulk externally, using advanced high-urethane insulation technologies. As a result, more food can be stored in optimal temperatures without the need for more power.

In addition, innovative technologies such as Twin Cooling Plus, CoolSelect+ Plus and Metal Cooling help quickly cool and keep temperatures matched to food types.

Twin Cooling technology optimizes and maintains refrigerator temperature and humidity in a very stable range within 0.5°C fluctuations. CoolSelect+ Plus allows for the flexibility of selecting from four different options inside compartments, ranging from freezer to cooling, meaning different foods are kept in matching condition without wasting energy lowering temperatures unnecessarily. In addition, once properly chilled, Metal Cooling helps keep the cold air inside for longer, minimizing the changes in food temperatures and ensuring that food stay fresh for longer while saving power.

Wash Clothes For Less With No. 1 Energy Savings, AI-Powered Washers

Samsung’s Bespoke AI Washers feature the latest in washing technologies providing users the quickest, most powerful laundry experience while also offering an extra 10% energy savings on top of the highest energy rating standard. Plus, thanks to AI Energy mode, the washers can cut energy usage by up to 70%³ placing them as No. 1 in energy savings in their category.

Adding to a sustainable laundry experience, SpaceMax technology provides a spacious 11-kilogram capacity so users can do larger but fewer loads of laundry, reducing the overall wash and dry cycles for a long term. SmartThings Energy with AI Energy Mode⁴ optimizes laundry cycles with technologies such as Ecobubble, which cuts energy usage by delivering powerful cleaning with cold water⁵ without having to heat water.

Furthermore, AI Washer and Dryer uses advanced sensors to detect the weight and softness of the fabric in each load. This data is then analyzed, providing washing and drying cycles that are optimized and matched to the garments’ materials, saving the user both time and energy. The feature reduces the amount of water usage by 24% and also dispenses the correct amount of detergent, using the weight of the load to calculate the optimal supply.

Improve Home Comfort While Reducing Your Carbon Footprint With Samsung’s Eco Heating System

Offering a complete sustainable home package, Samsung’s Eco Heating Systems (EHS) provides floor heating and hot water while offering an extra 10% energy savings above the current highest standard. Using a new Scroll Compressor, the EHS compresses refrigerant at a much higher pressure than traditional heating units, while Flash Injection Technology and a large heat exchange area increase the flow of heat transference.

As sustainability becomes a critical factor in our daily lives, Samsung is constantly innovating to create home appliances that can help save energy and resources at home.

For more information, please visit Samsung.com/bespoke-home and Samsung Newsroom.

¹ According to the European Energy Standard, the highest energy efficiency rating for home appliances is A for refrigerators and washing machines and A+++ for Eco Heating System.

² Reduces energy usage by up to 15%* through AI algorithm which optimizes compressor speed and defrost cycle and saves an additional 15%** by adjusting the set temperature.

* Available for specific models from Dec 2022 through Wi-Fi update. Test results derived from comparing factory setting temperature with AI Energy mode to without AI Energy mode. Results may vary depending on the usage condition and pattern.

** Refrigerator will set the temperature to Fridge 5℃, Freezer -16℃ and it may affect the preservation period of food.

³ Based on internal testing on the WW11BBA049AB model in normal usage conditions. Results: Annual power consumption without AI Energy Mode = 88.7KWh. Annual power consumption with AI Energy Mode = 31.5KWh. Results may vary depending on the actual usage conditions.

⁴ Can be applied when the selected washing temperature is 20 ~ 40°C.

⁵ Tested in accordance with IEC 60456-2010 / 4kg Wash Load / Super Eco Wash cold (WF80F5E5U4W) vs. Cotton 40°C without Ecobubble (WF0702WKU). Individual results may vary.

As we begin this online tour of Samsung Town, we would like to first introduce you to the Everyday Sustainability Zone, a vision for a greener future by incorporating sustainability into everyday life. In the zone, Samsung Electronics showcases its diverse efforts to increase sustainability at all stages of the product lifecycle, from manufacturing and distribution to usage and disposal.

At the three SmartThings Home exhibit spaces including Kitchen & Laundry, Bedroom and Outdoors, the visitors, using SmartThings AI Energy mode, can experience Net Zero Home, a space where it produces, stores, manages and consume the energy at home without creating energy surplus or shortage.

Let’s find out more about how everyday sustainability was showcased at IFA 2022 through the photos below.

▲ Entrance of Everyday Sustainability Zone

▲ Every Sustainability Zone shows various efforts Samsung made to increase sustainability by categorizing devices in their lifecycle process — manufacturing, distribution, usage and disposal — and Samsung’s 10 initiatives such as Galaxy upcycling, eco-conscious packaging, Solar cell remote control and more.

▲ Samsung and Patagonia, a global outdoors brand, have collaborated to create a new Bespoke washing machine that effectively reduces the impact of microplastics.

▲ In partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to reach Samsung Global Goals by 2030, Samsung developed various initiatives including the development of Samsung’s Global Goals app, launching of Generation17 and more.

▲ Samsung’s SmartThings Home exhibit let visitors experience integrating home appliances and devices for greener day-to-day lives.

▲ The visitors are introduced to the Net Zero Home area which helps produce, store and consume energy at home. The visitors are trying out the installed solar panels, household battery and EHS outdoor AC unit via AR within Net Zero Home.

▲ When turning on the Automatic Blind air conditioning, the curtains shut automatically to block out radiant heat. The AI Energy Saving Mode within your app to reduce the air conditioner’s energy usage by 20% (RAC). The Energy Usage While Away Alert feature within SmartThings app alerts you that the air conditioner is still on if you’ve left home. With the notification, you can easily turn it off using the app while away from home.

▲ AI mode is on at night where the solar panels are unable to produce electricity to save energy usage across all your home appliances. In eight hours, you can reduce the energy used by a refrigerator by 30%, energy used by a washing machine by 70%, energy used by a dryer by 20%, energy used by the dishwasher by 15% and energy used by an EHS by 40%.

▲ At the SmartThings Playground’s Save your Energy section, the visitors can experience easier laundry experience, thanks to SmartThings. Once the laundry is done, you receive notifications on your phone with SmartThings app, and check how much energy has been saved.