HSINCHU, March 20, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- In response to World Water Day on the importance of water conservation and management, AU Optronics Corp. ("AUO" or the "Company") (TAIEX: 2409; NYSE: AUO) today announced Taiwan's first Zero Liquid Discharge Solution, which by going through two recycling stages, the wastewater could be completely retrieved. Over the years, AUO has devoted significant efforts to the development of water recycling technology, resulting in process water recycling rates of above 80% in all sites. In particular, AUO's G8.5 fabs in Taichung and Houli, LEED Gold and Platinum-certified plants respectively, both boast process water recycling rates of higher than 90%. AUO has now achieved another breakthrough by presenting the first Zero Liquid Discharge Solution in Taiwan's manufacturing industry, fulfilling its 100% water recycling goal.
Due to water scarcity caused by human and climate factors, in 1992 the United Nations designated every March 22nd to be World Water Day. Each year, a specific aspect of water is highlighted to raise the awareness of water conservation around the world. The theme of year 2013 is "water cooperation", which stresses the importance of safeguarding water resources, facilitating collaboration, and pooling efforts to attain water sustainability. As a corporate citizen and integral whole with local communities, AUO has practiced water cooperation by taking the initiative to devise an innovative Zero Liquid Discharge Solution. With the latest cutting edge methods, local water quality could be maintained, and at the same time, other environmental impacts effectively reduced.
The key to AUO's Zero Liquid Discharge Solution breakthrough lies in its profound experience in water treatment over the years. It is after years of research and development that AUO has made technological breakthroughs and came up with this financially feasible solution. Two recycling stages are involved during the Zero Liquid Discharge process, the first being the concentration and reduction of discharge water by over 95%, and then use of high efficiency evaporation equipment to achieve zero discharge. Meanwhile, only 0.6% of the fuel used in the traditional Zero Liquid Discharge method is needed for such operation. It is so far the industry's most advanced and eco-friendly discharge water treatment method.
To champion water conservation at all levels, AUO has encouraged its employees in all of its sites in Taiwan, including Hsinchu, Taoyuan, and Taichung, to participate in the "Action 1, 2, 3 to Save Water" campaign by pledging to 1) cut down on the use of bottled water; 2) use more water-efficiency products; 3) reduce, reuse, and recycle water. In a matter of just a few days, as many as 3000 employees joined the petition to demonstrate the proactive nature of the AUO staff. The results of the "Action 1, 2, 3 to Save Water" campaign have also been reported to the official website of the UN World Water Day for the global community to witness Taiwan's continuous efforts to conserve water resources.
More AUO event photos are uploaded to UN World Water Day group photo.
AUO photos can be downloaded at the Company's website:
http://auo.com/?sn=479&lang=en-US
Any use of photographs must cite the source thereof is from AU Optronics Corporation.
ABOUT AU OPTRONICS
AU Optronics Corp. (AUO) is one of the world's leading providers of optoelectronic solutions. AUO offers a full range of panel sizes and comprehensive applications ranging from 1.5 inches to 65 inches. Based on its profound R&D and manufacturing experience, AUO continues to develop advanced display technologies of the next generation. AUO extended its market to the green energy industry in 2008. By building a vertically integrated high-efficiency solar value chain, AUO provides its customers with high-efficiency solar solutions. AUO now houses a staff of more than 45,000 employees, with global operations in Taiwan, Mainland China, the U.S., Japan, South Korea, Singapore, the Netherlands, Czech and Slovakia. Additionally, AUO is the first pure TFT-LCD manufacturer to be successfully listed at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). AUO has also been named to Dow Jones Sustainability World Index for three consecutive years from 2010 to 2012. AUO generated NT$378.5 billion (US$ 13.03 billion) in sales revenue in 2012. For more information, please visit AUO.com.
* 2012 year end revenue converted at an exchange rate of NTD29.05 : USD 1.
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 March 15, 2013.
