Korea Zinc Recognized for Sustainable Management... Wins National Industry Award

Expanding ESG Initiatives Based on Smelting Competitiveness
Achievements in Green Metals and Resource Circulation

Korea Zinc has been recognized for its achievements in sustainable management, winning the National Industry Award in the Sustainability category.

Korea Zinc won the '2026 National Industry Award' in the Sustainability category. Ki-joon Kim, Head of Sustainability Management at Korea Zinc (right), and Youngkyu Kim, Chair of the Judging Committee and Professor at Korea University Business School (left), are taking a commemorative photo. Korea Zinc

According to Korea Zinc on April 17, the company was selected as the winner in the Sustainability category at the '2026 National Industry Awards' ceremony held the previous day at the Grace Hall of El Tower in Seocho-gu, Seoul.

The National Industry Awards, hosted by the Industrial Policy Research Institute and supported by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, is a leading event in the industrial sector that selects outstanding companies in various categories such as environment, social and governance (ESG), technology, operations, and branding.

Korea Zinc was highly praised for its 'Troika Drive' strategy, which is being implemented based on its technological expertise and infrastructure in the non-ferrous metal smelting sector as well as synergies among its global subsidiaries. The industrial and social value of its flagship products was also cited as a key reason for the award.

The Troika Drive is a three-pronged new business strategy centered on renewable energy and green hydrogen, battery materials, and resource circulation. Through this strategy, Korea Zinc is pursuing the goal of 100% green metals, establishing an integrated value chain that includes battery recycling, and creating value based on resource recycling.

The company is also continuing to enhance its eco-friendly competitiveness. In 2023, Korea Zinc obtained carbon footprint certifications for zinc, silver, and copper, and in 2024, for lead, gold, and sulfuric acid for semiconductors. In particular, its silver and copper products, made entirely from recycled materials, received certification from the global certification body SGS.

In addition, Korea Zinc is expanding its core mineral production capabilities through investments such as its U.S. smelter, and its overall ESG investment performance, including social contribution activities, has also been positively evaluated.

Ki-jun Kim, Head of Sustainability Management at Korea Zinc, stated, "This award is a recognition of our efforts to make environmental and social responsibility a core value of our management, alongside our smelting competitiveness. We will continue to deliver tangible achievements across all ESG areas, including carbon reduction, resource circulation, and health and safety."

Korea Zinc continues to win awards in various fields such as environment, social contribution, and business capabilities. In 2024, the company was selected as an exemplary eco-friendly mobility workplace by the Nakdong River Basin Environmental Office. In 2025, it received the Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Award for contributions to the circular economy industry, the Korean Academic Society of Business Administration Manufacturing Innovation Management Award, and the 'Best Company' honor at the Climate Industry International Expo. The company has also been awarded the highest grade for three consecutive years in the 'Regional Social Contribution Recognition Program' administered by the Ministry of Health and Welfare and the Korea National Council on Social Welfare.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.