A Practitioner of Green Manufacturing

Water Stewardship

Water is a vital natural resource to our daily lives. In 2021, Taiwan experienced a oncein-a-century drought. Since then, water shortages have become a major issue impacting company operations. HIWIN values water resource management and is actively engaged in water conservation efforts. In 2024, we organized water resource management training courses for employees, with a total of 323 participants and 135 training hours. To mitigate the risks associated with water shortages, we have adopted a water resource management system to enhance water recycling efficiency and formulated water risk management policies to achieve a balanced use of water and ensure sustainable production.

HIWIN obtained verification for ISO 14046:2014 water footprint. This certification allowed us to assess the rational use of water in our manufacturing processes and identify opportunities for water recycling, thereby reducing our reliance on tap water. Additionally, HIWIN Headquarters received ISO 46001:2019 certification for water efficiency management systems in August 2022. This certification, provided by the Taiwan Green Productivity Foundation, has enabled HIWIN to enhance our water efficiency performance by establishing management indicators. In 2024, we continued to obtain TÜV Rheinland verification.

HIWIN is committed to a systematic approach in water management, as demonstrated by the establishment of ISO 46001:2019 water efficiency management systems. These systems outline our organization’s water use requirements and provide recommendations to guide our water usage practices. This includes the establishment of operational activity indicators and water use efficiency indicators, as well as practical actions such as supervision, measurement, documentation, reporting, design, and procurement. The ultimate goal is to improve the efficiency of water equipment, systems, processes, and personnel training, in order to achieve optimal water use efficiency.

In 2024, HIWIN consumed a total of 587.4 million liters of water, sourced exclusively from local water companies as tap water. To assess water risk levels in areas where HIWIN operates, we utilized the Aqueduct tools provided by the World Resources Institute (WRI) and Taiwan’s water distribution data. It is worth noting that all HIWIN factories are strategically situated in regions with minimal water stress risks.

HIWIN has implemented internal water stewardship measures to actively conserve water and improve our water recovery systems, with support from industrial parks and in alignment with government initiatives. In 2024, our water recycling rate reached 16.7%, achieving our target of 15%. Recycled water was utilized at HIWIN Headquarters, Jingke Factory, Yunlin Factories 1–3, and Dapumei Factory 3, representing a 3% increase compared to 2023. Smart water meters are integrated with the energy monitoring system to continuously monitor instantaneous water flow and proactively detect equipment abnormalities or malfunctions, monitor daily water usage, and enable immediate adjustments when discrepancies occur.

HIWIN primarily withdraws tap water and fresh water (≦1,000mg/L total dissolved solids) for its various needs. The company has a total water storage capacity of 16 million liters, representing the change in water storage from the beginning to the end of 2024. This water storage is primarily used for air conditioning cooling purposes. The water intensity in 2024 was 0.0016 (million liters / NT$ million), a 5.27% decrease compared to 2023. Total water consumption decreased by 15.8% compared to 2023. In 2025, we will continue efforts to reduce water use.

HIWIN has applied for Water Pollution Control Measure Permits in accordance with regulations. The main water source is tap water, used for domestic purposes, industrial processes, and pollution control equipment. Wastewater from all operating sites is treated onsite before being discharged into the industrial park service center’s wastewater treatment system, and subsequently released into respective watersheds.

To ensure water quality meets the industrial park’s wastewater discharge standards, HIWIN has established laboratories for regular water quality testing and commissions EPA-certified testing agencies to monitor wastewater discharge conditions. Waste oil water generated from manufacturing processes is handled directly by qualified disposal contractors. In 2024, personnel at HIWIN’s Jingke Factory made an operational error while adjusting wastewater equipment parameters, causing suspended solids to exceed the industrial park’s permitted limits. Subsequently, parameter adjustment protocols and alert mechanisms were implemented to ensure discharge quality complies with the required standards.