CHIMEI Corporation's collaboration with the Tainan City Government on the Rende Reclaimed Water Plant water supply project has entered its final phase. The plant commenced supplying reclaimed water to CHIMEI's Rende facility on March 3rd. According to the plan, CHIMEI will utilize a combination of internal and external sources of reclaimed water, aiming to reach a daily intake of 8,000 metric tons from the Rende Reclaimed Water Plant starting in 2025. This will ensure that up to 80% of the water used in CHIMEI Rende plant comes from reclaimed sources. This move not only underscores CHIMEI's commitment to environmental sustainability but also ensures a stable water supply for production, even during droughts or water shortages.

Since 2017, CHIMEI has been operating an "EDR (Electrodialysis Reversal) Reclaimed Water System" at its Rende site to recycle and reuse industrial wastewater. This EDR Water Resource Center is the first of its kind in Taiwan's petrochemical industry and currently stands as the largest EDR industrial wastewater reclamation system in Taiwan. Officially launched in 2021, the system can produce approximately 3,000 metric tons of reclaimed water daily for use in production processes. Despite higher construction and operating costs compared to conventional tap water, CHIMEI remains dedicated to investing in related technology research and equipment development. Through a three-stage advanced treatment process—Submerged Membrane Filtration (SMF), Electrodialysis Reversal (EDR), and Reverse Osmosis (RO), the system significantly reduces the environmental impact of water consumption while ensuring consistent product quality and a reliable water supply, regardless of climate fluctuations.

Building on its robust internal water recycling system, CHIMEI has taken a step further by collaborating with the government to incorporate external sources of reclaimed water. CHIMEI has signed a water contract with the Tainan City Government Water Resources Bureau to receive a daily supply of 8,000 metric tons of reclaimed water from the Rende Reclaimed Water Plant, which will be directly used in CHIMEI's production processes. The Rende plant is pioneering a "water-for-water" supply model, delivering reclaimed water to CHIMEI through an innovative industrial partnership mechanism. This approach not only meets the water demands of the industry but also helps alleviate pressure on regional water resource allocation, enhancing local water supply resilience. Due to the proximity of CHIMEI’s facility to the Rende Reclaimed Water Plant, this nearby water supply method saves significant pipeline construction costs and energy consumption required for long-distance water transport.

By leveraging both internal and external reclaimed water sources, CHIMEI will achieve an 80% reclaimed water substitution rate at its Rende plant. This will result in an annual reduction of approximately 3.63 million metric tons in tap water consumption – equivalent to the annual water usage of roughly 35,000 people. Significantly reducing reliance on tap water demonstrates CHIMEI's commitment to the principles of a circular economy and its industry-leading innovation in water resource management. More importantly, through a stable supply of reclaimed water, CHIMEI can maintain normal operations amidst the increasing challenges of climate change, mitigating operational risks associated with water scarcity and embodying the resilience of a sustainable business.

CHIMEI has a long-standing commitment to innovation and optimization in water resource management. The company plans to implement the ISO 46001 Water Efficiency Management System in 2025 to enhance water resource efficiency management in terms of equipment, systems, processes, and personnel training. In its day-to-day operations, CHIMEI not only implements various water conservation measures but also proactively plans for water recycling and reuse solutions. By achieving a water recycling rate (R2) of 80%, CHIMEI ensures that every drop of water is managed effectively, further enhancing the company's competitiveness and sustainable development capabilities.

Looking ahead, CHIMEI will continue to deepen its strategies for water resource recycling and reuse while developing more water-efficient production technologies. CHIMEI is committed to continuously exploring innovative ways to minimize its environmental footprint while ensuring stable production, ultimately achieving the goal of sustainable water resource utilization. Guided by its "Clean & Green" vision, CHIMEI will take concrete actions to support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), safeguard precious water resources for future generations, and collaborate with partners to create a sustainable and prosperous world for all.