On September 2, Handok’s manufacturing plant will be re-designated as a Green Company by the Wonju Regional Environmental Office, maintaining its status through 2028. Handok was the first pharmaceutical company in Korea to earn Green Company certification (formerly Environment-Friendly Company) in 2000 and has held the designation longer than any other company under the Wonju office’s jurisdiction.

The “Green Company” designation is granted after rigorous evaluation to facilities that significantly reduce environmental pollutants and contribute to resource and energy conservation. Handok received this renewal in recognition of its climate change mitigation efforts and systematic environmental management practices.

Located in Eumseong, Chungcheongbuk-do, Handok’s manufacturing plant is a state-of-the-art pharmaceutical facility equipped with an international cGMP quality management system and has long led the way in eco-friendly operations. Since the 1990s, Handok has implemented Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) policies and established an integrated HSE system to drive resource and energy savings and reduce pollutants.

As part of its climate change response, Handok has been installing solar power systems in phases from 2023 to 2025 to expand renewable energy use. Currently, 16% of the plant’s energy consumption is supplied by renewable sources, which is expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than 10%.

Efforts to promote resource circulation and reduce waste are also ongoing. Handok collaborates with raw material suppliers to operate a packaging reuse system and has registered wooden pallets as recyclable resources. The company also evaluates packaging materials and structures during product development and continues to improve materials that are difficult to recycle.

Handok is expanding digital-based eco-friendly initiatives as well. Through its “Paperless Factory” campaign, the company is reducing resource consumption and has participated in pilot projects to introduce QR code-based e-labels for pharmaceutical instructions.
Employee-driven sustainability campaigns are actively underway. Through the “Handok Green Green” initiative, the company repurposes discarded lab coats and lint-free cloths into eco-bags. Other programs include local cleanup and plogging activities and a “Zero Disposable Items” campaign, which has eliminated paper cup use and established a culture of reusable containers among all employees.
Handok also actively engages in environmental protection activities in partnership with local communities. These include invasive plant removal with the Wonju Regional Environmental Office, preservation of crane habitats in Cheorwon, and cleanup events along the Donggang River.

Juyeon Yoon, Executive Vice President of Handok Manufacturing Plant, stated:
“The renewal of our Green Company designation reflects Handok’s commitment to sustainable environmental management. We will continue our efforts to address climate change, promote resource circulation, and create a healthier environment.”