Hyosung chairman takes care of marine ecosystems

By Park Jae-hyuk

Hyosung Group Chairman Cho Hyun-joon is accelerating his efforts to protect the environment by taking care of marine ecosystems, according to the business group, Thursday.

Three of the group's affiliates ― Hyosung Corp., Hyosung TNC and Hyosung Heavy Industries ― decided to provide financial support for the protection of seagrass in collaboration with the Korea Fisheries Resources Agency (FIRA) and the Geoje City Government in South Gyeongsang Province.

Seagrass is designated as a marine organism under protection, according to the Conservation and Management of Marine Ecosystems Act.

FIRA fostered colonies of seagrass in 2009, tasking Geoje City with its management.

Hyosung said the money it donated will be used to monitor seagrass, transplant seagrass into other regions and clean up discarded fishing gear left behind in the water.

In mid-December, Hyosung TNC also started the operation of a depolymerization facility at its Ulsan factory. The facility can produce caprolactam, a raw material for nylon, by recycling wasted fishing nets.

The company decided to invest in the facility in compliance with the chairman's order to lead the global trend of manufacturing eco-friendly fiber.

“Eco-friendly management is essential for a company's survival,” the chairman said in a press release. “By creating an eco-friendly manufacturing environment, we will make efforts to take the lead in the global market as a total eco-friendly manufacturer.”

He also encouraged employees to help protect the environment in their everyday lives.

As a result, Hyosung TNC paid money to its employees last year, so that they can purchase tumblers to use at their offices. The company has also been collecting used plastic bottles from its employees since February, and giving them bags made with fiber produced from the bottles.