In order to implement pollution control, the best process technology and air pollution control facilities have been adopted. During the plant construction stage, air pollution control facilities are designed in accordance with the Best Available Control Technology (BACT). During the production and operational stages, the optimal air pollution control equipment has been used to reduce exhaust emissions.

The Company requires all plants to fully comply with environmental laws and regulations, ensure that air pollutant emissions meet standards, and continue to implement reduction measures. Controlled air pollutants include nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulfur oxides (SOx), particulate matter (PM), and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The changes in air pollutant emissions of the Taiwan plants in 2024 are as follows: Compared to 2023, NOx increased by 15.99%, SOx decreased by 42.73%, PM increased by 29.85%, and VOCs decreased by 10.28%. In terms of overseas plants, SOx and NOx emissions in Asia both increased compared with last year, mainly due to Yantai Walsin adding a new rolling mill. In addition, NOx and PM emissions by the Europe plant also increased in 2024 compared to the previous year.

Among the various pollutants, non-emitting VOCs are not items controlled by the competent authority and do not require numerical testing due to their industrial characteristics. In 2024, all other emission concentrations were far below regulatory standards.

Walsin Lihwa applies the 4R environmental principles – reduce, reuse, recycle and recover – as the foundation of its waste-management program. In 2024, the overall waste recycling rate of copper wire, wire and cable, and stainless steel products reached 94.43%, in which the non-hazardous waste reuse rate was 98.87%, and the hazardous waste reuse rate was 86.81% (excluding CAS in Europe). Except for some waste that is recycled and reused internally by the Company, the remaining waste is removed or reused by qualified contractors. Waste generated by plants in Taiwan and Mainland China decreased by 8.72% compared to the previous year. However, the overall waste reuse rate of Taiwan plants increased by 1.22% compared with 2023. This was mainly due to all waste acid from the Yenshui Plant being transported to the Taichung Plant for waste acid treatment and reuse, as well as process improvements and adjustments, which effectively reduced dust and sludge output, and thereby achieved the target of the landfill rate in Taiwan being lower than 1%. Walsin Lihwa has continued to reduce waste from the source, recycle and reuse waste in plants, and work with the supply chain to reduce the use of raw materials, thereby reducing the impact of production on the environment. In addition, the Company has established a rigorous waste disposal control and verification mechanism for qualified contractors to ensure legal and proper waste disposal and compliance with environmental protection standards.

The Company did not receive any major environmental fines (more than NT$1 million) under Financial Supervisory Commission (FSC) regulations in 2024. However, Three minor deficiencies were discovered and immediately corrected, and operating procedures and personnel management were further strengthened. Although the steel and surface treatment industry is a key subject of inspection by the central and competent regulators, there were no wastewater or waste leakage incidents in the Company’s plants in 2024, nor were there any incidents of production suspension or residents’ protests due to pollutant leakage. In the future, the Company will continue to implement self-management in accordance with the environmental management system framework. The Environmental Safety and Health Management Committee will inspect the implementation of environmental laws and regulations in each plant on an as-needed basis, strengthening on-site inspections to ensure compliance and effectively prevent pollution.