HSINCHU, Aug. 23 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- AU Optronics Corp. ("AUO" or the "Company") (TAIEX: 2409; NYSE: AUO) today announced it has completed the carbon footprint verification on EcoDuo PM220P00, a multi-crystalline PV module, according to the international carbon footprint standard PAS2050. EcoDuo PM220P00 is the world's first PV module to have obtained carbon footprint verification, reaching a critical milestone on carbon footprint management of PV key components.
The product carbon footprint of EcoDuo PM220P00 refers to the total amount of carbon dioxide emissions, including the raw materials, manufacturing and distribution stages. By tracing the carbon footprint, AUO verified that raw materials took up around 82% of total carbon emission, manufacturing about 17% and distribution approximately 1%, among which raw materials led to the most emissions. The findings inspired the adoption of innovative energy and materials-saving and replacement concepts in the early stage of R&D for solar cells, so that the overall amount of carbon emissions as well as product carbon footprint could be reduced substantially. Through continuous supplier training sessions, AUO developed the carbon footprint management program with its own e-system to collect suppliers' carbon footprint data. The initiative significantly increased efficiency in carbon footprint management. When managing the carbon footprint of the next generation PV products, the database with detailed carbon data of the supply chain will enable AUO to rise as a leader among its peers.
"AUO's multi-crystalline PV module that garnered the world's first carbon footprint verification again proves AUO's determination on Green Solutions," said James C.P. Chen, Senior Associate Vice President of AUO's Solar Photovoltaic Business Unit. "The key to acquiring the certification lies in the profound experiences in employing high-precision technologies, carbon footprint tracing, and power-saving innovations of TFT-LCDs to the solar modules. This demonstrates the AUO strategy to develop the TFT-LCD and PV businesses concurrently, leading the global industry with the most advanced green technologies from both respects," he added.
AUO has actively invested in the solar business from the upstream to downstream, presenting the most competitive "total solutions" with the quality material from M. Setek, high-efficiency solar cells from SunPower, and the various PV system projects. In the future, AUO will continue to serve as the main integrator of the solar value chain, developing markets around the world with its partners of the industry chain. The Company is dedicated to developing low carbon products with its innovative R&D capability and mature supply chain management system to assure due care to the earth when providing the maximum benefits for customers and consumers.
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ABOUT AU OPTRONICS
AU Optronics Corp. (AUO) is a global leader 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, 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 the green energy industry in late 2008, and formally founded its Solar Photovoltaic Business Unit in October, 2009. For more information, please visit AUO.com.
Safe Harbour Notice
AU Optronics Corp. ("AUO" or the "Company") (TAIEX: 2409; NYSE: AUO), a global leader of 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 of 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 May 11th, 2010.
