Vice Minister Geum Han-seung: “Power and Water Key to Semiconductors”…Ultra-Pure Water R&D and Water Grid Initiatives
Samsung to Introduce 330,000 Tons of Reclaimed Water Daily by 2030…Advancing 'Water Positive' Strategy
SK Hynix Maximizes Water Savings and Reuse…Strengthening 'Water Stewardship'
Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, participating for the first time in the 'Korea International Water Week (KIWW),' showcased strategies for reusing water essential to semiconductor production and promoting 'Water Positive' initiatives. The government, recognizing water as a critical infrastructure alongside power due to the growth of advanced industries like semiconductors, is expanding water reuse, ultra-pure water technology development, and constructing a 'Water Grid' to connect distributed water sources such as dams, reservoirs, and reclaimed water.
Vice Minister Geum Han-seung stated during a press briefing at the International Water Week in Daegu on the 9th, “Power and water are the most critical factors for the semiconductor industry. We invited Samsung and SK Hynix to this event because they are not just high water consumers but are also developing reuse technologies, contributing to the water industry.”
Samsung Electronics introduced its water resource management strategy, which includes reusing water from semiconductor production and minimizing intake through process optimization. Notably, the company plans to introduce 330,000 tons of reclaimed water daily by 2030 by reusing treated water from public sewage plants in Giheung, Osan, and Suwon. Samsung is also collaborating with the Ministry of Climate and Environment and the Korea Water Resources Corporation to implement 'Water Positive' initiatives, returning more water to local communities and nature than it uses.
SK Hynix highlighted its 'Water Stewardship' under its ESG management framework 'PRISM (Pursue·Restore·Innovate·Motivate·Synchronize).' The strategy focuses on reducing water usage—a core resource in semiconductor manufacturing—while maximizing reuse at public sewage treatment plants in Cheongju and Icheon and managing effluent quality to preserve ecosystems and biodiversity around its facilities.
The government plans to expand water reuse not only for the semiconductor mega-project but also to address droughts caused by climate change. While there was a lack of large-scale demand for reused water in the past, the increasing water needs of advanced industries like semiconductors have improved conditions for utilizing treated wastewater as industrial water.
However, additional technological development is required to produce ultra-pure water for semiconductors from reused water. The ministry plans to conduct related R&D from 2026 to 2030. Vice Minister Geum explained, “Semiconductor companies are highly sensitive to ultra-pure water, so even if localized, the testing period for actual field application will be long,” emphasizing the need to gradually expand field demonstrations.
The government is also promoting a 'water grid' concept that connects scattered water sources, including dams, agricultural reservoirs, reused wastewater, and desalinated seawater.
Vice Minister Geum noted, “While nationwide droughts were common in the past, localized droughts—where some areas have surplus water while others face shortages within the same province—are now more frequent.” He added, “We are considering linking and operating multiple water sources, such as multipurpose dams, agricultural reservoirs, wastewater reuse, and desalination.”
Starting next year, the government will expand the scope of industries participating in the International Water Week. Vice Minister Geum stated, “The importance of water has grown due to mega-projects,” adding, “Semiconductor factories cannot operate without water.” He also mentioned the potential participation of AI data center companies, saying, “We will encourage AI enterprises like Naver to join the International Water Week from next year.”
