SK tes, a company recognized globally for its commitment to environmental sustainability and sustainable technology lifecycle services, shared that it repurposed over 6 million assets for reuse or recycling in 2023. This achievement highlights SK tes’ leadership in the IT Asset Disposition (ITAD) and recycling industry as it continues to progress strategic expansions.
SK tes is excited to report further progress in its mission to securely and sustainably recycle 1 billion kilograms of technology devices by 2030. In 2023, SK tes processed 101,766,393 kgs of equipment, including 6.2 million technology devices. The company is on track to meet the ‘Decade of Difference’ commitment and expects to increase the volume in 2024.
As the annual generation of e-waste is rising by 2.6 million tonnes per year, SK tes recognizes the need to keep expanding its capacity to meet the growing global needs of its clients when it comes to managing their IT and data center equipment and batteries. According to the UN’s fourth Global E-waste Monitor, a record 62 million tonnes of e-waste was produced in 2022, and it is predicted to increase to 82 million tonnes per year by 2030.
To support this growth, SK tes is investing in its facilities to meet the increased capacity requirements of its loyal customer base. The company is doubling the size of its facilities in Recklinghausen, Germany, and Seattle, USA, to accommodate the growing demands of both new and long-term clients, increasing its global processing area to 2.7 million square feet and the volume of assets it can process worldwide.
Earlier this year, SK tes unveiled a flagship ITAD site in Virginia, USA, designed to meet the growing needs of hyperscale data centers in the region. This strategic expansion is part of the company’s broader initiative to enhance its global ITAD and recycling infrastructure.
Under the aegis of its parent company, SK ecoplant, SK tes is dedicated to advancing sustainable IT and battery recycling solutions that cater to the global needs of its clients. “Our goal is not just to grow, but to lead the way in sustainable technology solutions,” said Eric Ingebretsen, Chief Commercial Officer. “The market is robust and the need for solutions has never been greater. We are excited about the future and remain committed to making a significant impact in the recycling and ITAD sectors.”
SK tes has taken significant steps to promote environmental sustainability. The company has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with SMFL to invest in battery recycling in Japan. It has also established a joint venture with the aim of developing a cutting-edge ITAD processing site in Hanoi, Vietnam. These collaborations are part of the company’s efforts to implement plans for e-waste and battery recycling in the region.
According to McKinsey, over 100 million electric vehicle batteries are expected to be retired in the next decade, in addition to the millions of batteries from technology devices that are discarded annually. As the use of electric vehicles continues to increase worldwide, the demand for battery recycling is also rising.
SK tes is making preparations to meet this growing demand. The company plans to increase its operations at its state-of-the-art battery recycling facility in the Netherlands this year. It also aims to begin construction on a new facility in Europe, which will complement its existing battery recycling facilities in Germany, France, Singapore, and China. These strategic moves will enable SK tes to provide support to electric vehicle manufacturing hubs in the region.
“As we stand at the precipice of an electric mobility revolution, the need for comprehensive recycling solutions has never been more urgent. SK tes is not just observing this shift; we are actively preparing to meet it head-on,” said Chief Operating Officer Thomas Holberg. “Our commitment to environmental stewardship is underscored by our expansion in Europe, where our new battery recycling facility will not only support the region’s electric vehicle production but also reinforce our global efforts in pioneering efforts to develop battery recycling capabilities and critical material recovery.”
SK tes, previously known as TES, has been leading the way in offering secure and sustainable technology lifecycle services since its establishment in 2005. With a global presence that spans 23 countries and 40 owned and operated facilities, SK tes continues to expand its service capabilities and strengthen its position in the industry.
