EcoPro Materials director Wi Hak-bok, left, poses with Korea Environmental Management Association President Hwang Yong-woo during a ceremony for the Global Standard Management Awards in Seoul, Nov. 21. Courtesy of EcoPro Materials

Battery precursor maker EcoPro Materials was recognized with an award for its eco-friendly management strategy, as the company continues making aggressive investments in green technologies.

EcoPro Materials said Monday it recently won the Global Standard Management Award for Green Management granted by the Korea Management Certification.

The awards recognize companies, organizations and institutions with outstanding management performance and achievements in nine categories, including green management, product quality, safety, carbon neutrality and shared growth.

EcoPro Materials was selected as the top prizewinner in the green management category during an award ceremony on Nov. 21. A total of 35 companies and institutions were honored during the ceremony.

The Green Management Award recognizes companies that have enhanced their value through sustainable growth, regulatory compliance and environmental protection by implementing effective green management strategies.

EcoPro Materials said the award is an outcome of the company's management philosophy of prioritizing the environment, safety and employees' health. Based on this philosophy, the company conducts biannual environmental and safety assessments of its facilities to improve its green operations.

The company obtained ISO 14001 certification for its environmental management system in 2019, reflecting its proactive efforts in preventing environmental accidents and managing environmental risks at its facilities and surrounding communities.

To prioritize the environment, the company has made its CEO the top decision-maker for environmental management issues and set up dedicated teams to improve workplace safety and reduce the environmental footprint. Over the past three years, the company has invested 11.2 billion won ($7.98 million) to improve workplace environments.

EcoPro Materials said those efforts have been paying off, with its yearly sales growing to 952.5 billion won last year, almost tripling the 342.9 billion won in sales in 2021. It also achieved a number of environment-related milestones, maintaining pollutant emissions at less than 30 percent of legal limits, achieving a 100 percent reduction target for energy and waste and reaching a 97 percent waste recycling rate.

"To cope with climate change, EcoPro Materials is not sparing its investments into eco-friendly practices, while expanding the use of recycled raw materials to reduce carbon emissions," EcoPro Materials CEO Kim Byong-hun said.

"Since ESG (environment, social and corporat egovernance) management is necessary for companies, we will continue to invest in sustainable growth, meet the expectations of our global customers and deliver the value that exceeds the expectations of all stakeholders."