AUO Corporation ("AUO" or the "Company") (TAIEX: 2409; NYSE: AUO) today announced its 8.5th generation ("G8.5") facility located in Central Taiwan Science Park is now the world's first LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) gold-certified TFT-LCD facility. The Company has also registered significant records ever since it revealed its company-wide go green program called "AUO Green Solutions" in numerous areas, including innovations, procurement, production, logistics, service, recycling and employee involvement. In addition, as one of its ongoing R&D effort in green products, AUO has led the industry to voluntarily establish an ECO-Label Index for its products in accordance with ISO 14021 standard, aiming to reach carbon balance by 2010.
Including AUO G8.5 Fab, there are only four LEED gold-certified fabrications in the world, and among them, the AUO Fab is the largest in terms of facility size and is also the world's first TFT-LCD hybrid Fab which consists of both G8.5 and G7.5 lines. AUO G8.5 Fab, as been certified by LEED gold, can achieve 21% of total energy saving. As to water efficiency, the site is to reach 90% water recovery rate, saving 3 million tons of fresh tap water annually, enough to fill 1,430 standard swimming pools. In addition, 90% of construction waste has been reclaimed, fully conserving resources and mitigating environmental impact. Furthermore, with extensive tree plantings, as well as annual power saving result, AUO G8.5 Fab can reduce 87,000 tons of carbon emission annually, an equivalent effect of afforesting of 23 New York City's Central Park. The size of AUO's G8.5 mother glass substrate is 2200mm x 2500mm and can optimally cut up to six 52-inch or 55-inch panels and eight 46-inch panels.
"We very much appreciate USGBC's recognition, making AUO becomes the world's first TFT-LCD makers to earn LEED certification in gold level," said Dr. L.J. Chen, President and CEO of AUO. "This recognition is just a beginning for us; we will apply this green model to all of our existing and future Fabs, setting a green standard for site-construction, production equipment, as well as site facilities."
"We hope to create a collective force from all stakeholders in the industry, providing consumers solutions to enjoy a joyful digital lifestyle while protecting the Earth," he added.
The core of "AUO Green Solutions" is Green DNA, which has been extensively promoted and deeply rooted in the heart of every AUO employee. The Green DNA has been disseminated through various unique measures, such as daily green reminding broadcast and low food mile concept by purchasing food from the local farming Industry, hoping to raise green awareness among all AUO employees and to form a collective force that will influence others outside the Company to jointly protect the environment. By implementing all measures as envisaged in "AUO Green Solutions", AUO achieved an electricity saving amounting to 230 million KWH in Taiwan's operation sites. In addition, by voluntarily installing greenhouse gas abatement devices, 777,000 tons of carbon emission were reduced in total, which is an equivalent effect of afforesting 200 New York City's Central Parks. AUO also achieved 2,420 tons of water savings in 2008, about 1/8 of the volume of Shihmen Reservoir in Taiwan.
In addition, AUO also led the industry in establishing an ECO-Label Index for its products and pledges to reach Carbon Balance by the year 2010. AUO firmly believes company profitability and corporate social responsibility (CSR) are mutually supportive. The Company is to fulfill its CSR while committing to the concept of sustainable management, leveraging innovations to reduce environmental impact in all business phases including product design, vendor selection, production and assembly and customer services. The AUO ECO-Label Index will provide more environmental and energy-saving products to its customers, substantially assisting them in raising their green competitiveness so as to seize and open up unlimited green business opportunities now and in the future.