As the industrial sector increasingly calls for reduced wastewater discharge and expanded reuse, Youngpoong's Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) system at the Seokpo Smelter is gaining recognition as an eco-friendly water treatment model.
According to Youngpoong, the Seokpo Smelter in Bonghwa, North Gyeongsang Province, has been operating its ZLD system since May 2021, making it the first smelter in the world to implement such a system.
ZLD is a circular water treatment system that reprocesses all wastewater generated during the smelting process without discharging it externally. This approach not only significantly reduces wastewater discharge but also conserves water by reusing it in the smelting process, earning it recognition as a case of 'Water Positive' in the industry.
Youngpoong invested approximately 475 billion won to establish the ZLD system. It employs a low-pressure evaporation concentration method, where treated wastewater is evaporated at temperatures above 100 degrees Celsius, and the resulting steam is condensed to recover clean water for reuse in the smelting process. Notably, waste heat steam generated during the smelting process is utilized as a heat source, enhancing energy efficiency.
The ZLD facility can process up to 4,000㎥ of wastewater daily, with an average of 2,000 to 2,500㎥ being treated and reused. This results in a reduction of approximately 880,000㎥ of river water intake annually.
Youngpoong has also secured patents related to ZLD technology. Recently, local government officials and industrial park representatives have been visiting the site to explore the implementation of similar zero discharge systems, establishing it as a benchmark in the industry.
The company continues to invest in environmental improvements. Following an environmental innovation plan established in 2019, Youngpoong has invested a cumulative total of about 540 billion won by last year to enhance water quality, air quality, and soil conditions.
As a result, water quality in the Nakdong River near the smelter has shown that levels of key heavy metals such as cadmium, lead, arsenic, mercury, and copper are all below detectable limits. This indicates that the concentrations are lower than the minimum levels measurable by testing equipment.
The company stated that the heavy metal concentrations are lower compared to those in the water near other zinc smelters located in the Onsan Industrial Complex in Ulsan. Recently, the presence of the endangered species otter has also been consistently confirmed in the Nakdong River near the smelter.
A Youngpoong representative stated, "The Seokpo Smelter is committed to securing smelting competitiveness while continuously developing and investing in technologies for environmental and water resource protection. We aim to contribute to the eco-friendly transition of industrial sites and the expansion of resource circulation based on the achievements of the ZLD system and other environmental improvements."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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