The resource recycling corporation DS Dansuk recently marked its 60th anniversary by initiating organizational culture flexibility. It has decided that employees will dress in 'casual attire' every Friday. This move is interpreted as part of a vision declaration ceremony in which the company announced its intent to pursue 'boundary-less business diversification' through a flexible business strategy.
According to the industry on the 20th, DS Dansuk has decided to wear casual attire every Friday starting July 1. As a manufacturing corporation, it has previously adhered to a business casual dress code, wearing shirts, sneakers, and dress shoes, but has changed the internal culture to allow jeans and athletic shoes to be worn on Fridays in celebration of its 60th anniversary.
This change was conducted in the form of an internal contest for its 60th anniversary. Ideas for changes to the organizational culture were solicited, and ideas scoring high marks through internal assessment would be implemented. One employee proposed 'Casual Day' as a candidate for the contest, and it was implemented after receiving high marks from the executives.
There has been a positive response both inside and outside the company. An industry insider noted, 'Since introducing the casual dress code on Fridays, the atmosphere of the organization has become more flexible.' He added, 'While it hasn't yet extended to work aspects, it has become easier for internal members to strengthen their solidarity.'
The changes at DS Dansuk align with Chairman Han Seung-wook's '2030 Vision' to secure growth momentum through flexible business strategies. At the '2030 Vision Declaration Ceremony' held on the 1st, attended by over 250 employees, Chairman Han said, 'Not only will we expand the value chain of our existing business, but we aim to become a leader in the resource recycling and energy industries based on boundary-less business diversification.'
The backdrop to the company seeking new growth engines is the deterioration of profitability. DS Dansuk's sales in its core business area, the bioenergy sector, have been continuously declining. Demand for eco-friendly products such as biodiesel made from used cooking oil has decreased due to policy changes in the U.S. and Europe, leading to a drop in export prices.
DS Dansuk recorded revenues of 961.7 billion won in 2024. This contrasts with the previous year, where it first surpassed 1 trillion won in 2022 and then continued 1.07 trillion won until 2023. Operating profit also plummeted 84% from 76.2 billion won in 2023 to 12.2 billion won in 2024. However, in the first quarter of this year, revenues increased by 13.5% and operating profit by 19.5% compared to the same period last year.
To overcome this crisis, DS Dansuk plans to expand its value chain related to second-generation biodiesel (HVO) and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and also advance the recycling plastic (PCR) business. Unlike first-generation biodiesel, which primarily uses plant oils and used cooking oil, second-generation biodiesel is produced by additionally utilizing animal fats. With the rising demand in the carbon-neutral market, the company is also expanding into sustainable aviation fuel.
In addition, DS Dansuk is expanding its business scope by announcing strategies to provide energy storage system (ESS) solutions and to enter the small modular reactor (MMR) industry.