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 resources and is actively conserving water. To mitigate water shortage risks, we have adopted the PDCA management system to increase the efficiency of water recycling 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 2023, 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.
Water Resource Structure and Risk Management
In 2023, HIWIN consumed a total of 594 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.
Water Recycling Planning and Water Efficiency Management
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 2023, our water recycling rate reached 13.7%, with recycled water usage covering HIWIN Headquarters, Jingke Factory, Yunlin Factory 1–3, and Dapumei Factory 3, reflecting a 5.4% increase compared to 2022. To effectively manage and monitor water consumption in our factories, we are gradually installing smart water meters. This installation has been completed at HIWIN Headquarters and Dapumei Factory, and will be extended to Yunlin Factory 1 and 2 in 2024. By 2025, we plan to have smart water meters installed in all our factories. These meters can be integrated with our energy monitoring systems to track water flow, detect equipment abnormalities or malfunctions, and enable immediate adjustments when necessary.
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, which represents the change in water storage from the beginning to the end of 2023. This water storage is primarily utilized for air conditioning cooling purposes.
The water intensity in 2023 was 1.033 (million liters/US$1 million), representing a 13.3% enhance compared to 2022. Total water consumption representing a 17.4% decrease compared to 2022. In 2024, we will continue to reduce water use.
Water Pollution Prevention and Control
All HIWIN factories have submitted Water Pollution Control Measure Plans and Permit Applications in accordance with regulations. The majority of water used for cooling towers, domestic purposes, and industrial processes is sourced from tap water.
Wastewater discharges at all locations are treated by the factories’ wastewater treatment equipment to meet the required discharge standards. Prior to discharge, the wastewater is further treated by the industrial park or service center’s wastewater treatment center. HIWIN has established laboratories to monitor and regularly test water quality in real-time, ensuring compliance with the discharge standards set by the industrial parks. Additionally, we have engaged an EPA-authorized testing agency to conduct on-site inspections of our wastewater discharge, as well as a dedicated vendor to manage wastewater generated from manufacturing processes. All monitored values for wastewater discharge were found to be in compliance with legal standards.