Building Sustainable Solutions for a Green Future

Finding sustainable solutions to the challenges that we face in the modern world is becoming an increasingly important component of any business strategy. Samsung Electronics South Africa understands that innovation in products needs to take into account the wider surroundings and any potential impact.

 

Samsung’s Sustainability Report 2014¹ examines this crucial part of its broader commitment to corporate citizenship. The company’s Green Management philosophy prioritises the future health of people and the planet, whilst mandating green responsible practices throughout its operations.

 

“To date, Samsung has invested¹ $US6.3 billion into these efforts and this has resulted in a 50 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and over 3, 000 third-party verified product environmental certifications,” says Michael McKechnie, Divisional Head for Digital Appliances at Samsung SA.

 

According to McKechnie, the company received 31 green technology certificates in 2013 for product energy efficiency improvement, resource conservation and protection of natural habitats. One of these is the RoHS Technology Certification (Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive) that had been awarded to Samsung air-conditioners for the company’s commitment to minimising the use of toxic elements such as mercury, lead and cadmium.

 

Samsung is committed to establishing total air solutions for air-conditioners by expanding from residential to commercial areas and shifting focus from the cooling of air to the improvement of indoor air quality.

 

On the issue of energy efficiency, which is particularly relevant in light of the current load shedding taking place in South Africa, Samsung’s air-conditioners provide a truly innovative solution. The DVM S centralised air solutions system boasts high energy efficiency through the use of vapour injection for a more seamless flow of refrigerant and improved cooling and heating performance, while the eco-friendly design ensures a reduction in carbon dioxide emissions.

 

 

The air management packages created by Samsung are built on the PlanetFirst Initiative conceptualised by the organisation. The Eco-Design process ensures each new product is evaluated against specific parameters in order to ensure it is eco-friendly and keeps the brand on track when assessing the ecological influence. As part of this programme there is the Eco-Partner Certification Programme, which determines the credentials of suppliers’ raw materials and production processes. Samsung’s Smart air-conditioner is an example of how this strategy is being deployed by utilising Smart technology to automatically manage temperature and power and ensure higher usage efficiencies.

 

Samsung’s selection of consumer products within the Digital Air Solutions (DAS) Eco-Living range, which was established in 2011, delivers smart and environmentally aware products to the South African consumer.

 

“This is particularly relevant in light of recent changes to the South African legislative landscape, such as the introduction of Carbon Tax and the banning of R22CFC base gas. These are designed to protect consumers and the planet, ensuring that products and organisations are working towards a cleaner and healthier South Africa. We have already eliminated the use of R22CFC in our range and focused on innovation to reduce emissions and drive efficiencies,” says McKechnie.

 

“The air-conditioning units in the DAS Eco-Living range of products use less power, protect the internal milieu from diseases and save substantially on energy, all while being internationally recognised as leading products in the air-conditioning market,” he concludes.