How are Semiconductor Companies Charting a Sustainable Future

This is the ambitious vision of Intel, pledging to source 100% of their global electricity from renewable sources by 2030.

Introduction

Semiconductors are woven into the fabric of our modern world hold immense power, enabling everything from smartphones to spaceships. But this power comes at a cost, one etched in a growing environmental footprint causing issues with sustainability.

The electronics industry, from chip fabrication to device disposal, casts a long shadow on Sustainability in Semiconductors. It’s time to rewrite the narrative, to turn the silicon green.

As an example, let’s consider the environmental impact of manufacturing a chip with dimensions 1cm x 1.2cm in Taiwan.

According to NetZero, this process results in the release of 1.5 kg of CO2 emissions per chip. This specific case study exemplifies how the app can shed light on the carbon footprint associated with semiconductor production in different regions.

A good ballpark number for the total count of chips in a modern smartphone is around 10 to 20 chips.

This estimate includes major components such as the System-on-Chip (SoC), memory chips, communication chips, power management IC (PMIC), audio chips, sensor chips, display driver IC, RF front-end modules, GPS chip, camera-related chips, security chips, and various controller chips.

Do the math!

Read More: Imec App Shows You the Hidden Environmental Cost of Making Your Smartphone

What are the Sustainability Challenges of in a Semiconductors Fab?

Semiconductor fabs, or fabrication facilities, can have environmental impacts at various stages of their operations.

It’s important to note that the degree of environmental impact can vary depending on the specific technologies and processes used, as well as the measures taken by the fabs to mitigate their environmental footprint.

Here are some potential environmental concerns associated with semiconductor fabs:

1. Energy Guzzlers:

Chip fabrication facilities are notoriously energy-intensive, sucking up massive amounts of power to fuel complex processes and maintain cleanroom environments. This reliance on fossil fuels translates to significant carbon emissions.

A mid-sized semiconductor fab (around 100,000 square feet) might have an electricity consumption on the order of tens of megawatt-hours per day. This is comparable to the energy usage of a small town or a large shopping mall.

2. Toxic Traces:

The chemicals used in chip production and cleaning, from etching agents to photoresists, often contain hazardous materials. These can pollute waterways, harm ecosystems, and pose risks to human health if not handled responsibly.

For a 40k wafer per month, a rough estimate of chemicals being used are:

  1. Photoresists and Developers:
    • Photoresists: A few hundred to a few thousand liters per month.
    • Developers: A fraction of the volume of photoresists.
  2. Deposition Precursors:
    • Gaseous or liquid precursors: Hundreds of liters per month, depending on the type of deposition processes used (e.g., chemical vapor deposition).
  3. Etchants:
    • Wet etchants: Several hundred to a few thousand liters per month.
    • Dry etchants: Quantities can vary widely based on the technology and processes.
  4. Cleaning and Rinsing:
    • Solvents and cleaning agents: Several hundred to a few thousand liters per month, depending on the cleaning frequency and methods.
  5. CMP Abrasive Slurries:
    • Quantities can range from hundreds to a few thousand liters per month, depending on the CMP usage frequency.
  6. Ion Implantation Dopant Materials:
    • Quantities can vary based on the specific ion implantation processes and the desired doping levels.

3. Resource Drain:

Every chip, from design to disposal, involves the extraction and processing of finite resources like water, rare-earth metals, and precious minerals.

This depletion of natural resources puts pressure on delicate ecosystems and raises ethical concerns about responsible sourcing.

4. E-Waste Dilemma:

Mountains of discarded electronics, containing potent pollutants and precious metals, pile up in landfills or are shipped to developing countries under dubious conditions. This “e-waste” issue not only pollutes the environment but also represents a missed opportunity for resource recovery and responsible recycling.

Waste generation can vary, but a semiconductor fab might generate several tons of waste per day. This is akin to the waste output of a medium-sized industrial facility.

Examples of Semiconductor Companies Providing Sustainability

Intel: Committed to powering their facilities with 100% renewable energy by 2030, investing in solar and geothermal projects.

IBM: Implementing water recycling systems in chip fabrication facilities, reducing water consumption by 50%.

GlobalFoundries: Developing next-generation chips with reduced energy consumption and smaller footprints, minimizing environmental impact.

The Green Electronics Initiative: Promoting transparency in supply chains and advocating for responsible e-waste management practices.

Closed-loop recycling technologies: companies like Redwood Materials are recovering valuable materials from discarded electronics, turning e-waste into a resource.

5 Initiatives of the Semiconductors Companies Providing Sustainability

Green Fabs

1.Sunshine Powering Chips: Intel’s Solar Leap

Imagine data centres basking under the Arizona sun, powering our digital lives with clean energy. This is the ambitious vision of Intel, pledging to source 100% of their global electricity from renewable sources by 2030.

They’re not just talking; they’re walking the solar path – investing in massive solar projects and even exploring geothermal energy solutions.

2.H2O Heroes: IBM’s Thirst-Quenching Chips

Water scarcity isn’t just a desert issue, it’s a reality in chip fabrication facilities too. A typical semiconductor manufacturing facility uses two to four million gallons of ultra-pure water per day. But IBM is turning the tide with their innovative water recycling systems.

These ingenious systems recover and purify used water, slashing consumption by an impressive 50%. Imagine, producing cutting-edge chips while conserving nature’s lifeblood – IBM is showing us it’s not just possible, it’s essential.

Read more: Explained: What the hell is a semiconductor fab

3.Small Size, Big Impact: GlobalFoundries Rethinking Chip Design

The future of sustainability lies not just in clean energy and efficient processes, but also in smarter design. GlobalFoundries is at the forefront of this movement, developing next-generation chips with significantly reduced energy consumption and smaller footprints.

Think of it as shrinking the silicon while maximizing the impact. These chips require less power to operate, generate less heat, and ultimately, leave a smaller environmental footprint. By pushing the boundaries of miniaturization and efficiency, GlobalFoundries is paving the way for a leaner, greener tech future.

4.Transparency Titans: The Green Electronics Initiative Shining a Light

Sustainability isn’t just about technology, it’s about accountability. The Green Electronics Initiative (GEI) is leading the charge for transparency in supply chains, advocating for responsible e-waste management practices.

They shine a light on the murky world of electronics manufacturing, exposing ethical violations and pushing companies to adopt responsible sourcing and recycling strategies. With GEI at the helm, consumers can make informed choices and demand clean chips born from ethical practices.

5.From Waste to Wealth: Redwood Materials Giving E-waste a Second Life

E-waste mountains are a blight on our landscape, filled with valuable materials trapped in a toxic tomb. But companies like Redwood Materials are rewriting the narrative.

They’ve mastered the art of closed-loop recycling, extracting precious metals and rare-earth elements from discarded electronics. Imagine smartphones transforming into sustainable resources, providing the building blocks for future generations of green chips.

Redwood Materials is turning e-waste from a problem to a solution, closing the resource loop and proving that sustainability is not just a cost, but a profitable opportunity.

Read More: Explained: What the hell is RTL? – techovedas

Relevant Policies and Initiatives for Sustainability in Semiconductors

The European Union’s Eco-design Directive sets stricter energy efficiency standards for electronics, pushing manufacturers towards greener solutions.

California’s Electronic Waste Recycling Act: mandates electronics manufacturers to take responsibility for end-of-life products, promoting responsible recycling and reducing e-waste.

Investment in Green Tech research: governments and organizations are pouring funds into research and development of sustainable materials, cleaner processes, and energy-efficient chip designs.

Read More: What are Emerging Transistor Technologies: Nanosheets & Nanowires – techovedas

What we as consumers can do?

Become an Informed Consumer: Research the environmental impact of your electronics and advocate for transparency in supply chains.

Support Recycling Initiatives: Properly dispose of your e-waste, participate in electronics recycling programs, and support organizations promoting responsible end-of-life practices.

Phone degrades the environment

Get Involved in Policy Advocacy: Contact your representatives and urge them to support policies that incentivize sustainable practices and hold manufacturers accountable.

Spread the Word: Share this article, raise awareness about the issue, and spark conversations about building a greener tech future.

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Conclusion

Making the electronics industry greener isn’t just a technological challenge – it’s a collective responsibility. Consumers must demand sustainable products and responsible end-of-life practices.

Governments can incentivize green tech and enforce stricter environmental regulations. And the industry itself must prioritize sustainability, not just in words but in actions.

Kumar Priyadarshi
Kumar Priyadarshi

Kumar Priyadarshi is a prominent figure in the world of technology and semiconductors. With a deep passion for innovation and a keen understanding of the intricacies of the semiconductor industry, Kumar has established himself as a thought leader and expert in the field. He is the founder of Techovedas, India’s first semiconductor and AI tech media company, where he shares insights, analysis, and trends related to the semiconductor and AI industries.

Kumar Joined IISER Pune after qualifying IIT-JEE in 2012. In his 5th year, he travelled to Singapore for his master’s thesis which yielded a Research Paper in ACS Nano. Kumar Joined Global Foundries as a process Engineer in Singapore working at 40 nm Process node. He couldn’t find joy working in the fab and moved to India. Working as a scientist at IIT Bombay as Senior Scientist, Kumar Led the team which built India’s 1st Memory Chip with Semiconductor Lab (SCL)

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