Corporate Responsibility Practice

Corporate Responsibility Practice

Since its inception, SAS has adhered to a business philosophy of “Integrity, Professionalism, Innovation, and Service”. The company is fully committed towards a win-win-win vision, i.e. growing together with customers, pursuing excelsior with and creating value for shareholders. Amid dedication for sustainable corporate management, SAS is also expecting to create sustainable values for economic growth, environmental protection and social progress. SAS has been releasing CSR reports since 2017 to fully disclose its achievements in terms of its CSR performance and present the state of communications and interactions with its stakeholders so as to facilitate sustainable development goals.

SAS Chairman

Since its inception, SAS has adhered to a business philosophy of “Integrity, Professionalism, Innovation, and Service”. The company is fully committed towards a win-win-win vision, i.e. growing together with customers, pursuing excelsior with and creating value for shareholders. Amid dedication for sustainable corporate management, SAS is also expecting to create sustainable values for economic growth, environmental protection and social progress. SAS has been releasing CSR reports since 2017 to fully disclose its achievements in terms of its CSR performance and present the state of communications and interactions with its stakeholders so as to facilitate sustainable development goals.

SAS Chairman

Rising revenues and sustainable governance

Year 2018 saw a slump in the solar energy industry affected by China-US trade wars, solar energy policy changes in various countries, declining market demands and reduced prices and production outputs. All solar energy companies were faced with severe operation challenges. Yet, with concerted efforts form all staff members, SAS was able to hit another record high in terms of revenue and turn losses into profits and regain its profitability that has exceeded its competitors, as a result of production capacity adjustment, resources integration, product differentiation, continuous strategy adjustments in response to the market, plus outstanding business performance of its subsidiary, GlobalWafers.

1. Consolidated revenue of NT$ 69.239 billion and annual growth rate of 17%, another record high

2. Consolidated operating income of NT$ 13.178 billion and annual growth rate of 108%

3. EPS of NT$3.36, an increase of NT$1.56 from the previous year of NT$1.8

4. Shareholders’ equity of NT$ 47.914 billion, a 9% increase from the previous year.

5. Ranking in the top 5% of all TPEx-listed companies in five consecutive corporate governance appraisals

SAS has a leading competitive edge in the field of PERC mono-crystal cell efficiency and will continue to develop advanced technologies and accelerate research and development of new-generation products with ultra-high efficiency. We aim to establish mutually beneficial cooperative relationships with our customers to build a win-win environment conducive to joint growth. Regarding corporate governance, we constantly refine our performance to strengthen our commitment to the pursuit of sustainable operations.

Forward-looking and Industry-leading Technologies

The SAS R&D team is fully committed to the development of high-efficiency products with high added value. In 2018, the multi crystalline silicon wafer process was converted from Slurry to DW to enhance productivity and minimize environmental pollution. N-type mono crystalline cells are expected to reach 23% in efficiency by mid-2019. The P-type mono crystalline cells have reached 21.9% in average efficiency. As for the development of new products, Multi Crystalline Black Wafers, New-generation Mono Crystalline Busbar-less and Metal-Wrap-Through PERC have successfully entered mass production. In addition, SAS has also been active in promoting deployment of patents for key technologies and accelerated development of the company’s core technologies. A total of 267 patent certifications have been obtained worldwide. SAS will continue to accumulate R&D capabilities with a focus on development of advanced technologies and high-performance diversified products. The company’s overall competitiveness is enhanced through value-added innovation and optimized product combinations.

Circular Economy & Facilitating Green Energy and low carbon

The Global Risks Report 2019 released at the World Economic Forum in Davos pointed out that future extreme weather incidents, failed partnerships responding to climate change and natural disasters will be of high risks and high occurrence probabilities with major impact. In the face of rising risks of global climate problems occurrence, SAS as a global citizen and a member of the green industry will spare no efforts in continuously promulgating greenhouse gas mitigation and adaptation actions.

Excellent results have been achieved through recent participation in the Energy Conservation Improvement Project sponsored by the Industrial Development Bureau. Results include the improvements of air compressors and air conditioning systems. In 2018, power savings amounted to 2,764,000 kWh. Further still, with regards to solar energy plant deployment, SAS’ subsidiary, FZtech Inc., is fully committed to the Taiwan market and actively conducting solar energy plants investments and construction projects for the rooftop, ground-mounted and floating solar power plants, while introducing the gravitation water vortex solar power generation system to lower the water surface temperature and drastically enhance the power generation efficiency of the solar energy panel. In 2018, in our solar energy generation system, the total installation for grid-tie operation reached approx. 26MW, expected to reduce the CO2 emission by 9,890 metric tons per year. Up to end of 2018, the offshore and domestic installation for grid-tie operation reached approx. 97MW, expected to cut the CO2 emission by 66,685 metric tons per year.

In 2019, SAS teams up with its subsidiary, FZtech Inc., in the construction of compound energy system on the rooftops of the Chunan Plant that integrates the 99kW self-weight photovoltaic solar system, 100 kW/350 kWh power storage system, 600 kW adjustable grid-tie power generators. SAS has also switched to micro-grid systems inside the plant. The subsystem installations are expected to be completed by Q2 this year, while simultaneously blending the energy storage device development and integrating it to the energy management system platform in response to the future market demand for power storage management. Our subsidiary semiconductor company, GlobalWafers, passed the gold-level green building certification in January 2019 issued by the Ministry of the Interior, MOEA. Looking to the future, SAS will continue to participate proactively in the green energy promotion hoping to contribute to a clean environment that our future generations can rely on for sustainable survival.

SAS President

In 2019, SAS teams up with its subsidiary, FZtech Inc., in the construction of compound energy system on the rooftops of the Chunan Plant that integrates the 99kW self-weight photovoltaic solar system, 100 kW/350 kWh power storage system, 600 kW adjustable grid-tie power generators. SAS has also switched to micro-grid systems inside the plant. The subsystem installations are expected to be completed by Q2 this year, while simultaneously blending the energy storage device development and integrating it to the energy management system platform in response to the future market demand for power storage management. Our subsidiary semiconductor company, GlobalWafers, passed the gold-level green building certification in January 2019 issued by the Ministry of the Interior, MOEA. Looking to the future, SAS will continue to participate proactively in the green energy promotion hoping to contribute to a clean environment that our future generations can rely on for sustainable survival.

SAS President

Employee Care and Public Cause

SAS views its employees as its critical driving force for growth and sustainable operation. To fulfil our human-centered commitment for employee care, we are devoted to a sound remuneration system, comprehensive benefits system and relevant care schemes. We construct a friendly workplace, guarantee employees’ work safety, plan diverse training courses, upgrade employees’ skills and know-how, value employees’ professional development and care about employees’ work-life balance. With all efforts, we hope to build a blissful healthy workplace and continue to pursue excellence together with our employees, in face of fiercely challenging global competition. In terms of social welfare, SAS has been proactive in participating in all kind of philanthropic activities. We lead and encourage employees to care about disadvantaged groups hoping that we can lead by example and spread love in a bid to fulfill our social responsibility as a corporate citizen. SAS has been consistently focusing and cultivating in line with our management philosophy, while 2019 has been a year full of uncertainties and challenges. Nonetheless SAS forges ahead towards innovative R&D, costs reduction and building momentum and competence, focus on our niche sector and deliver strategic deployment for solar energy power plants in order to strengthen overall operation performance. We exist for sustainable operation, excellent corporate governance and focus on social responsibility. SAS will adhere to our vision, exert all efforts and fulfill our commitment in friendly workplaces, environmental protection and social concern. Our goal is to become a green enterprise with sustainable development and stable increases in revenues and profits.

Corporate Governance

Current state and development trends of
the solar energy industry

The solar power industry is the industry with the largest growth potential in the 21st century. Following the gradual depletion of non-renewable resources such as coal, petroleum, and natural gas reserves, traditional energy sources will face irreversible changes. Renewable energy, solar energy in particular, will become the key element in the energy structure. Regarding renewable energy, the Bureau of Energy, Ministry of Economic Affairs, has executed measures centered on photovoltaic and wind power generation. The goal is to reach a 20% renewable energy ratio by 2025. The “2-Year Photovoltaic Promotion Program” approved by the Executive Yuan in October 2016 is expected to generate an installed solar power capacity of 1.52GW (1,520MW) by June 2018. This program aims to build on the fundamentals via its short-term goal and carry out root-tackling measures and optimize the environment via mid- and long-term goals. Installation goals for the roof-top and ground-mounted types. The roof-top type is aimed to include rooftops on central government-owned lands, in private factories, agricultural facilities and others. The ground-mounted type is aimed to include salt industry land, severe land subsidence areas, water bodies and landfills.
To this end, high-quality wafers are required to support the development of Taiwan’s solar energy industry, and continuous enhancement of solar cell conversion efficiency has to be in place so as to reduce costs per watt and increase Taiwan’s international competitiveness.

Continued innovation and development of
cutting-edge products and technologies

SAS has many years’ expensive experience in solar crystal growth and its high-efficiency multi-crystalline products are leading the industry and unrivaled worldwide. The company also possesses powerful R&D capabilities in thermal field simulation and design. The A3+ wafer launched in 2011 has since leaped onto the world stage. In September 2012, its Aegis wafer was honored with the Silicon Innovation Award, the most prestigious international award in the solar energy industry. The company earned the world’s first patent for high-efficiency wafer technology (patent number: I452185) in September 2014. The A5+ wafer with its world-leading conversion efficiency went into mass production in late 2014. In 2017, the patented crystal growth technology was awarded with the 2016 National Innovation Silver Award by the Intellectual Property Office, Ministry of Economic Affairs. The company is capable of continuous development of high-quality multi-crystalline solar products.
In line with the latest market developments, the adoption of diamond cutting processes for the cutting of solar wafers marks a critical change in the solar energy industry in 2017. SAS started adopting this technology in the fourth quarter of 2017. It has completed 51% conversion in all processes by end of 2017 and 100% conversion by 2018. Diamond cutting processes do not require any oil cutting and therefore help decrease raw material consumption, reduce air pollution, waste generation and transportation-based environmental impact.

The SAS R&D investment are reflected in the number of patent applications. In an 2013 analysis and survey conducted by the Science & Technology Law Institute, alongside Ocean Tomo, an authority in intellectual property, on IPR management and achievements of TWSE/ TPEx-listed companies in Taiwan, SAS was ranked among the “top 50 Taiwanese listed enterprises regarding its US patent value”. This achievement indicates that SAS has become a benchmark enterprise with high-value patents. The company earned a total of 267 patents in 2018.

As a member of the green energy industry, SAS is firmly committed to legal compliance, air pollution control, and waste water treatment. In addition, the company implements GHG reduction and adaptation actions in response to global climate change. The company also actively embrace circular economy concepts and ensure optimal use of resources through reduction, reuse, and recycling to balance economic development and environmental protection. In addition to the aforementioned three Rs, SAS has also been giving focus to the fourth R (Redesign) hoping to implement improvements at the source and thereby achieve reduction, reuse, recycling, and sustainability through product/process design planning.

Management Mechanism

  • Through the implementation of the ISO 14001 environmental management system (2015 version) and the adoption of product life cycle concepts, SAS aims to achieve a genuine reduction of materials at the source by relying on improvements in the manufacturing process and product design stages. With respect to prevention of air pollution and water pollution, the company also works with the promulgation of the environment management system. Each year, goals for energy conservation, water conservation, waste reduction and resource saving are established in order to lower energy resource consumption while achieving results of reducing greenhouse gas emission. With respect to waste management, traditional cleaning and disposal are transferred into the concept of effective resource management in order to reduce waste generation. Meanwhile, audit management on waste clearance companies is enhanced to ensure that waste is disposed in an appropriate manner. SAS insists on stringent compliance with all relevant laws and regulations in its operations and conducts conformity assessments for all internal and external issues related to the environment. Should any legal risks be detected, detected, immediate, preventive improvement measures are carried out and policy implementation is ensured through comprehensive management and actual operations.

Future Goals

  • Plant power conservation rate exceeds 1%
  • In line with the “Regulations Governing Determination of Reasonable Due Care Obligations of Enterprises Commissioning Waste Clearance”, plant waste management procedures are stipulated with checks on high-risks waste clearance companies at least once a year.

2018 Key Achievements

  • Renewable raw materials used as silicon raw materials exceeded 50%
  • The total installation for grid-tie operation exceeded 26MW and reduced the CO2 emission by 9,890 tons per year.
  • For the past 3 years, the energy intensity has gradually declined by the year (28.52→11.26→6.08 MJ/KNT).
  • The energy conservation measures and management of the year can reduce about 1,531 metric tons of CO2 emission.
  • Add burners at the screen printing output to reduce VOC emissions per wafer by 83%
  • Reduce commissioned BDG waste water treatment by 70% per month.

Friendly Workplace

SAS firmly embraces the concept of “Workplace Health and Safety”. In addition to strict compliance with occupational health and safety laws and other relevant legal requirements, the company is firmly committed to organizational operations and staff participation. The company also continues to provide optimized resources for health and safety facilities improvements in the plants in accordance with the nature and risks of the organization to prevent injuries and hazards. The ultimate goal is to safeguard the health and safety of employees, contract workers, and relevant third parties.

Safe Work Environment

In 2018, we have successfully switched from the OHSAS 18001 occupational health and safety management systems to the ISO 45001: 2018 system in all plants, with heightened focus on social expectations and managerial and staff participation. Occupational health and safety (OHS) is no longer regarded as an “independent operation” but has to be viewed from the angle of sound operation and sustainability. We adheres to the provision of safe and healthy work environments and modified pollution prevention and occupational hazards eradication, while conducting counselling with workers and their representatives, with the entire workforce made aware of individual liabilities and engaged in the environmental health and safety activities.

Healthy Workplace

The physical health of employees is a key factor for the maintenance of work-life balance. Exceeding legal requirements, SAS has hired general practitioners to provide free on-site services including health consultation, guidance and assessment, as well as follow-up tracking health issues, referrals and medical services. In addition, SAS is firmly committed to the three pillars of maternal care, prevention of ergonomic hazards and prevention of burnout. The company safeguards the physical and mental health of our staff members through a wide range of health care initiatives, sporadic health talks, and health promotion activities in an effort to create a blissful and healthy work environment.

Physical and Mental Balance and a Blissful Workplace

SAS views its employees as its key assets. Only with healthy employees can we raise the corporate productivity. As such, besides a firm commitment to providing a safe, healthy and friendly workplace, the company organizes several staff outings through its Benefits Committee on an annual basis. These outings will hopefully replenish employees’ energy and build team cohesion. Family members are encouraged to participate in these outings for employees to bond and build a strong rapport amongst themselves, to show concern for family members after work hours, and to enhance work-life balance.
SAS listens to the voice of its employees. Various channels such as labor-management consultation meetings, employee suggestion boxes, OSH committees, meetings on the old pension system, and a staff benefits committee allow employees to freely express their views and opinions. Employees are able to fully express their opinions via meeting exchanges and discussions. This enables an effective bidirectional communication channel between the labor and the management, rendering win-win results for both parties. In addition, the HR Department sends out electronic weekly newsletters containing articles, columns, English learning sections, and events and health information. These newsletters provide employees with new knowledge and an opportunity to participate in internal and external events. This also enables employees to achieve a work-life balance and maintain their physical and spiritual health while performing their work duties.

SAS also appoints dedicated management personnel who provide assistance to facilitate the work and daily lives of foreign blue-collar migrant workers. Annual activities are organized to show constant concern for the foreign staff members and to understand their needs and problems so as to conduct timely communication and assistance for them to enjoy work and lead a happy life in Taiwan.

Social Concern

Since 2003, compassionate manufacturers in the Hsinchu Science Park have been organizing Christmas gift collection activities on Christmas Eve to fulfill the dreams of underprivileged children. SAS continues to promote this Dream Fulfillment Activity in cooperation with Accton Cultural & Educational Foundation. These little gifts help fulfill the dreams and desires of these children. We are all Santa Clauses who can spread hope and love to these children. SAS has participated in a total of 10 activities, and each year, our employees have all taken part in the gift sponsorship activities with great enthusiasm. Over the years, a great number of Christmas gifts have been given to children in remote areas and social welfare organizations through the platform of this activity.
Since 2010, SAS has been serving as a sponsor for the heartwarming and compassionate fair activity organized by the Taiwan Fund for Children and Families, a family support charity. This activity aims to show concern for disadvantaged families and abused children in foster care in the Hsinchu area. The company also promotes the recycling and reuse of resources by conducting charity sales of second-hand goods. In addition, the health center organizes annual blood donation drives. These activities enable employees to demonstrate social concern. Every bag of blood saves a life and extends the passion and love of the donors.
Based on a passionate commitment to social welfare and assistance for underprivileged groups, SAS employees donate their moon cakes in a spirit of compassion and love for these groups. The moon cakes are donated to charitable organizations under the company’s name to demonstrate the love of all employees. The following underprivileged groups are the beneficiaries of this activity.