#Sustainability #South Korea #Seoul #UNGC #Sae-A Trading

Sae-A Trading's Leadership in Sustainability

Sae-A Trading, an affiliate of the Global Sae-A Group and a major player in apparel manufacturing, has recently been honored as a LEAD Company by the UN Global Compact Network Korea (UNGC Korea) for the second year in succession. This accolade was presented during the 2026 Korea Leaders Summit, emphasizing the company’s pivotal role in spearheading sustainability within the fashion sector.

The UNGC, since its inception in 2000, has united more than 25,000 enterprises across 160 countries with a mission to promote corporate sustainability. It encourages participants to integrate its Ten Principles related to human rights, labor laws, environmental protection, and anti-corruption into their operational frameworks. Every year, UNGC Korea bestows the LEAD Company designation upon ten organizations from a pool of approximately 360 members, recognizing their significant contributions to sustainability and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) practices. Notably, Sae-A Trading stands out as the sole apparel manufacturer among this elite group of honorees.

Joining the UNGC in 2024 marked a pivotal moment for Sae-A Trading, signaling its unwavering commitment to fostering meaningful changes across the global apparel industry. The company has maintained an active sustainability management team since 2008, embedding ESG principles as a fundamental aspect of its business operations.

In a progressive move, Sae-A Trading enhanced its ESG organizational structure by elevating it to a division-level entity in 2023, which reports directly to the CEO. This strategic shift underscores the company’s dedication to integrating sustainability across all levels of its business strategies.

As part of its extensive climate action initiatives, Sae-A Trading accomplished a significant feat by becoming the first apparel manufacturer in Korea to receive approval from the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) for its commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. This ambitious target lays the groundwork for a long-term strategy aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions across its global production locales.

To further advance these goals, Sae-A Trading is focusing on key strategies such as expanding its solar power capacity, enhancing the use of renewable energy, and improving energy efficiency within its operations. Additionally, the company is dedicated to strengthening climate action throughout its supply chain by increasing the adoption of sustainable cotton and emphasizing the use of recycled as well as recyclable materials.

Sae-A Trading's commitment also extends to adopting globally recognized standards and certification systems, ensuring that transparency and traceability accompany the sourcing and management of sustainable materials, from raw materials to finished products.

"Receiving recognition as a UNGC LEAD Company for the second year is proof of our relentless efforts to reinforce our position as a frontrunner in Korea’s apparel manufacturing landscape," stated Saila Kim, Executive Vice President of Sae-A Trading. "We are committed to leading ESG initiatives and driving significant advancements across the industry to pave the way for a more sustainable future."

By consistently placing sustainability at the forefront of its operations, Sae-A Trading not only stands as a model for other companies in the apparel sector but also impacts the broader narrative of corporate responsibility in environmental stewardship and social governance. The company’s achievements serve as an inspiration, illustrating how dedication to sustainability can align with business success and leadership in the global market.