HSINCHU, Feb. 25 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- Following the announcement made in Yokohama, Japan last October on "Green SELECT", dedicated to the building of an environmentally friendly low-carbon society, AU Optronics Corp. ("AUO" or the "Company") (TAIEX: 2409; NYSE: AUO) today made a declaration of carbon footprint reduction, aiming at a 30% decrease in its carbon footprint level in 2009 by 2012. AUO was among the first in the world to implement carbon footprint assessment of electronic products during their life cycles. The calculation of carbon emission encompassed every step -- raw material, product manufacturing, distribution, consumer use, and disposal & recycling. In the future, with the help of the carbon footprint indicator, consumers will have an even better knowledge of the possible environmental impact of the electronic products they use. AUO hopes to set the trend for the industry to cut down on carbon emission and adopt the green choice leading to a low-carbon society and lifestyle.
Carbon footprints, in the form of carbon dioxide, are generated when individuals, households or companies are involved in daily activities and manufacturing of products. Accordingly, a product's carbon footprint refers to the total amount of carbon dioxide emission during its life cycle, including the stages of raw material, product manufacturing (or service provision), distribution, consumer use, and disposal & recycling. By tracing the carbon footprints of LCD TVs, AUO verified that in the life cycle of an electronic product, energy consumption on the consumer's side took up around 60% of total carbon emission, raw material about 28%, and product manufacturing 12%, among which energy consumption on the consumer's side produced the most carbon dioxide. The findings inspired AUO to adopt innovative energy and
material-saving concepts in the very early stage of R&D. By lowering energy consumption on the consumer's side at the product design stage, the amount of carbon emission could be reduced substantially, leaving lighter carbon footprints.
To achieve this end, AUO initiated the "green audit" program and monitored all facets including product design, raw material, product manufacturing, distribution, consumer use and disposal & recycling to reduce product carbon footprints. In September 2009, an AUO-made 32" LCD TV was certified by SGS as the first LCD TV set worldwide to gain PAS 2050:2008 Carbon Footprint Verification. Among all the recognized products around the globe, the making of this LCD TV was viewed as the most delicate and complicated. Its supply chain was comprised of more than 500 vendors. Through continuous supplier training sessions, AUO initiated the carbon footprint management program and developed its own e-system to collect vendors' carbon footprint data. The initiative significantly increased efficiency in carbon footprint management and became one of the best case studies available.
"The formula for a low-carbon society consists of green technology and a new lifestyle. Aside from individual efforts, we, as an enterprise, could greatly lessen the impact of carbon emission on the environment by means of green technology. We want to advocate the concept of carbon footprint reduction, telling the consumers that when they choose eco products, carbon emission could be greatly reduced, saving a healthier environment for the generations to come," said Dr. L.J. Chen, President and CEO of AUO. "Ever since the official announcement of Green Solutions Initiative in 2008, AUO has vowed to 'think further and work faster'. In the same spirit, we expect ourselves to 'persevere longer' to maintain our green competitive edge," he added.
Through its highly innovative R&D capabilities, execution and a
well-developed supply chain management system, AUO actively develops
low-carbon products to reduce carbon footprints. Its aim to reduce 30% of its carbon emissions by 2012 will help generate an all-new low-carbon digital lifestyle for consumers. Meanwhile, AUO will remain dedicated to advocating corporate social responsibility and working continuously toward the development of a sustainable society to ensure maximum benefits for clients and consumers.
ABOUT AU OPTRONICS
AU Optronics Corp. (AUO) is a worldwide top three manufacturer* of thin film transistor liquid crystal display panels (TFT-LCD). AUO is able to provide customers with a full range of panel sizes and comprehensive applications, offering TFT-LCD panels in sizes ranging from 1.2 inches to greater than 65 inches. AUO generated NT$359.3 billion (US$11.2 billion) in sales revenue in 2009 and now houses a staff of more than 42,000 employees throughout with global operations in Taiwan, Mainland China, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, the U.S., and Europe. Additionally, AUO is the first pure TFT-LCD manufacturer to be successfully listed at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). AUO extended its market to green energy industry in late 2008, and formally founded the Solar Photovoltaic Business Unit in October 2009. For more information, please visit AUO.com.
* DisplaySearch 3Q2009 WW Large-Area TFT-LCD Shipment Report. This data is used as reference only and AUO does not make any endorsement or representation in connection therewith. 2009 year end revenue converted by an exchange rate of NTD31.95:USD1.
Safe Harbour Notice
AU Optronics Corp. ("AUO" or the "Company") (TAIEX: 2409; NYSE: AUO), a worldwide top three manufacturer of large-size TFT-LCD panels, today announced the above news. Except for statements in respect of historical matters, the statements contained in this Release are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These forward-looking statements were based on our management's expectations, projections and beliefs at the time regarding matters including, among other things, future revenues and costs, financial performance, technology changes, capacity, utilization rates, yields, process and geographical diversification, future expansion plans and business strategy. Such forward looking statements are subject to a number of known and unknown risks and uncertainties that can cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements, including risks related to the flat panel display industry, the TFT-LCD market, acceptance and demand for our products, technological and development risks, competitive factors, and other risks described in the section entitled "Risk Factors" in our Form 20-F filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission on June 4th, 2008.
