With the philosophy of “contributing to the community” and recognizing “the finite nature of Earth's resources” and “the importance of environmental protection,” CWTC Group is committed to environmental protection in all aspects including business operations, products and services.
Waste generated by the CWTC Group can be categorized into two major types: “non-hazardous industrial waste” and “hazardous industrial waste,” which are further classified into recyclable and non-recyclable waste based on disposal methods. In addition to implementing waste sorting, the Company complies with local regulations for waste reporting, sorting, and storage, and engages qualified vendors to assist in the removal, disposal, and recycling of waste. We ensure that our waste is properly handled through regular vendor reviews and audits. For example, Taiwan Plant No. 2 manages industrial waste online through the "Three-Party Waste Disposal Control and Delivery Form." It also formulates an audit plan for waste clearance and disposal organizations by dispatching personnel to conduct on-site inspections of their management practices, with the audit results recorded in an inspection log. If any irregularities are detected during inspections, the company will notify the contractor to make improvements and schedule a follow-up audit to ensure that the waste is managed in compliance with regulations.
Among the sales offices within the CWTC Group, only non-hazardous waste (such as household garbage and wastewater) is generated. Since the actual weight of this waste cannot be obtained, it is not included in the waste generation statistics table below.
The Company will continue to focus on waste reduction at the source, recycling, and reuse as management objectives to minimize waste generation, aiming to reduce operating costs and environmental impact.
In response to environmental sustainability and the promotion of resource circulation, CWTC Group has established recycling processes for different metals as part of its ongoing optimization of lead frame manufacturing. Through these recycling measures, the Group not only reduces waste emissions but also effectively lessens dependence on virgin resources, thereby mitigating the risk of natural resource depletion.
The primary product of CWTC Group is IC lead frames, which are made from copper alloys and iron-nickel alloys. During the stamping process of lead frame production, scrap materials are generated, mainly composed of copper, iron, and nickel. These scrap materials are collected and sent to certified recycling companies for smelting and reuse. In addition, for QFN products, the electroplating process generates waste liquid that contains a high concentration of copper and nickel ions. To improve resource utilization efficiency and reduce treatment costs, we have installed copper recovery electrolysis equipment to extract copper from the electroplating waste liquid in the form of copper rods, which are then handled by external contractors.
In the electroplating process, silver (Ag) is primarily used in conductive plating layers to enhance conductivity and soldering stability, while gold (Au) and palladium (Pd) are commonly applied as conductive layers or surface treatments to improve oxidation resistance and high conductivity. In response to the increasing use of precious metals and the resulting resource and cost pressures, CWTC has introduced precious metal recovery technologies and established in-house treatment systems. Through the "Silver-Containing Wastewater Recovery System" and the "Gold and Palladium Plating Wastewater Centralized Recovery System," plating solutions and rinse liquids containing precious metals generated during the electroplating process are collected and sent to certified external recycling partners for treatment. By recovering precious metals from process waste liquids, we not only significantly reduce raw material loss and associated costs but also minimize the discharge of heavy-metal-containing wastewater, thereby reducing potential environmental impacts. Our main precious metal recovery technologies include the following:
STEP 1: Silver stripping tanks
STEP 2: Revive silver stripping plates
STEP 3: Silver stripping tanks for plates
STEP 4: Precipitation of silver on cathode plates
STEP 5: Scrapping of silver precipitated on the cathode plants for collection
STEP 6: Filter bags for silver stripping plates
STEP 7: Packaging and shipment of silver/filter bags for refinement
STEP 8: Made into raw materials (e.g., silver plates) by processors for reuse
STEP 1: Silver recovery tank
STEP 2: Drums for waste solutions containing silver
STEP 3: Electrolytic recovery equipment
STEP 4: Dry storage for plated silver
STEP 5: SStripping of silver from drums
STEP 6: Packaging and shipment of electrolytic silver
STEP 7: Made into raw materials (e.g., potassium silver cyanide) by processors for reuse
Taiwan Plant currently has 14 silver recovery machines installed, along with 3 gold recovery resin towers and 5 palladium recovery resin towers, forming a comprehensive precious metal recycling and processing system. The carbon reduction benefit for the entire year of 2024 is expected to reach 855 tCO2e.
In addition, we have strengthened our collaboration with suppliers by selecting qualified third-party recycling companies to ensure that the entire recycling and processing workflow meets environmental standards. At the same time, we provide education and training for frontline operators to implement a company-wide green manufacturing culture.
CWTC Group will continue to optimize resource use efficiency in the lead frame production line and enhance the reuse value of metal resources required in the process through data-driven management, aiming toward a high-efficiency, low-consumption sustainable manufacturing model.