- Arranged by T-GAIA that signed off an MOU with SK networks last year to debut in a SDGs event of Japan
- T-GAIA of Sumitomo Group joined the event to showcase MINTIT under the theme of Realization of Zero-Carbon Society
  … Implemented a user authentication feature in purchase phones to cater to the Japanese market needs
- Under a verification experiment phase at key retail spots in Tokyo … “We will create environmental value by spearheading ICT recycling in Japan”

MINTIT, an ICT recycler committed to fostering ESG management by creating convenient and transparent used phone trading practices, demonstrated its value to relevant businesses and visitors at a Japanese expo, successfully paving the way to a potential global business expansion.

SK networks (President & CEO: Sang Kyu Park) announced on the 10th that T-GAIA, Japan’s No. 1 mobile phone retailer, introduced the used phone trading platform MINTIT in SDGs Aichi Expo 2022 held from the 6th to the 8th in Aichi Sky Expo, Japan.

SDGs Aichi Expo is an ESG promotion event inaugurated in 2020 to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the biggest challenge facing the United Nations and the international community. This year’s SDGs Aichi Expo was held in person unlike the past two years where it had to be held online in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Over 110 organizations including businesses, municipalities, NPOs, and universities participated in the expo to shape a mutual partnership in a bid to foster eco-friendly businesses, thereby contributing to resolve social challenges around the world.

Entering into an MOU on the ICT Device Recycling Business and Social Value Creation with SK networks late last year, T-GAIA is one of the leading affiliates in Sumitomo Group and has introduced the theme of Realization of Zero-Carbon Society in the SDGs Aichi Expo. In the expo, T-GAIA exhibited a Japan-specific variant of MINTIT’s used phone purchasing platform that was optimized to the needs of Japanese consumers with an AI solution of SK networks’ affiliate MINTIT. MINTIT’s Japanese version has incorporated a built-in user authentication feature taken into consideration the unique characteristics of the Japanese market. A used phone purchase verification experiment at three major retail spots in Tokyo is underway now using this feature.

Customers who experienced MINTIT in the SDGs Aichi Expo showed a positive response in that the platform could help environmental conservation and offer privacy protection. On the 7th, President & CEO Ishida Masato of T-GAIA, President & CEO Sang Kyu Park of SK networks and President & CEO Seong-moon Ha of MINTIT visited the expo venue to check customer’s response in person.

SK networks and MINTIT will continue to cooperate with T-GAIA to roll out the platform commercially and expand their business in Japan beyond the expo entry, vowing to foster customer and green values over to the global market with MINTIT’s technological excellence.

“Partnership between the two leading mobile phone retailers of Korea and Japan to roll out a used phone recycling business is a remarkable example of global ESG commitment,” said an official at SK networks. “MINTIT will successfully establish its presence in the Japanese market and expand its business over to the global market as well.”

[Photo caption] President & CEO Sang Kyu Park of SK networks visited the expo venue to check customer’s response in person.