Sustainability Report

Performance Highlights

Performance Highlights

POSCO is committed to practicing sustainable management policies by taking an interest in and addressing a range of societal challenges. Leveraging our internal technical capabilities and innovative ideas, we strive to create economic, environmental, and social value at the corporate level.
Biodiversity
POSCO’s ‘Sea Forest’ Story (2014-)

POSCO’s creation of sea forests has preserved seaweed

and marine life while revitalizing the fishing economy.

  • Coastal development, environmental pollution, and climate change have led to the disappearance of seaweed and the proliferation of calcareous algae, causing ocean desertification.
  • While exploring ways to encourage seaweed growth, we noticed that seaweed thrived around submerged abandoned ships, which led to the development of the ‘Triton’1) artificial reef using steel slag.
  • To date, we have installed around 7,000 Triton reefs in over 30 locations nationwide, establishing Sea Forests that facilitate seaweed growth, increase fishermen’s incomes, support the development of SME partners, and enhance the marine ecosystem
  • In recognition of our efforts, we received the ‘2023 Innovation Awards’ Eco-Innovator Category from worldsteel in 2020 and from BCCCC in 2023, marking the first time an Asian company has been honored with this prestigious international award.
1)Triton: An artificial reef structure made from steel slag aggregate and blast furnace slag cement.
Resource Circulation
The Synergy of Steel and Agriculture for GHG Reduction (2019-)

Utilizing fertilizer made from steel byproducts, we have

successfully reduced GHG emissions and increased rice

yields, establishing a foundation for sustainable growth.

  • During rice cultivation, methane, which has 21 times the greenhouse effect of carbon dioxide, is released.
  • We discovered that iron ions present in slag at concentrations of less than 1% can inhibit the activity of methanogens. In partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, the Ministry of Environment, and fertilizer companies, we developed silicate slag fertilizer utilizing by-products from steel mills.
  • The application of silicate slag fertilizer results in a reduction of 0.93 tons of CO₂ per ton of fertilizer compared to fields without fertilizer, a 14% decrease in methane emissions, and a 7% increase in rice harvest.
  • This achievement in reducing GHGs and advancing the agricultural sector was recognized with the Worldsteel Steelie Awards (October 2023).
Water Stewardship
POSCO-Mexico’s ‘Oasis’ Project (2021-2023)

We are addressing water shortage problems through

water recycling and have established an eco-friendly

shared growth model.

  • In 2021, the Mexican government declared a water shortage emergency and restricted industrial water usage.
  • POSCO-Mexico uses 700,000㎥ of water annually and discharges 350,000㎥. We explored ways to recycle the 350,000㎥, which is equivalent to the annual water usage of 5,000 local households.
  • By developing water recycling technology and establishing a collaboration-based shared growth model to address water shortage, we achieved unit water consumption reduction that allows savings of 1 billion KRW annually. This enabled us to respond flexibly to ongoing water shortages in the region.
Local Community
Adding ‘Steel’ Strength to the Courage of Firefighters Battling Massive Wildfires (2023)

To help firefighters overcome their challenges and resolve

community issues, we have developed firefighting support

equipment in collaboration with our client company.

  • Climate change has led to frequent wildfires, such as the Goseong wildfire (May 2020), Uljin wildfire (March 2022), Hapcheon wildfire (March 2022), and Miryang wildfire (June 2022).
  • POSCO has conducted wildfire site inspections to understand the actual condition of firefighting support equipment. In collaboration with internal and external experts and partner companies, we developed firefighting support equipment using WTP (World Top Premium) steel and supplied 50 sets to the Gyeongbuk Fire Department.
  • The newly developed WTP steel firefighting support equipment was evaluated at the Fire Agency Public Hearing in June 2023 as lightweight and portable, making it highly effective for wildfire suppression.
Safety
Creating a Safer Workplace Through the Harmony of Humans and Robots (2021-)

By developing technologies where workers and robots/AI

complement and collaborate with each other, we have

created a safer and more productive workplace.

  • As robots and AI are increasingly utilized in the manufacturing industry, a significant productivity revolution is imminent.
  • POSCO’s robot solution process innovation aims to achieve cost reduction, quality, safety, and environmental goals simultaneously. By establishing ‘collaboration between humans and technology’ as a core strategy, we have developed the following technologies to enhance work efficiency and completely prevent safety accidents:

  • Remote ground operation solutions for raw material unloaders

    Coke oven door gas leakage prevention technology

    CGL pot operation automation technology