In recent years, “green fab” initiatives to reduce environmental impact have been advancing at semiconductor factories.

The goal is to reduce the environmental impact of manufacturing processes by introducing renewable energy, expanding water recycling, and more.

Main initiatives:

・Use of renewable energy

・Water recycling systems

・Energy-saving equipment

Improving the energy efficiency of semiconductor manufacturing equipment and cleanroom facilities is also an important theme.

Efforts are under way to reduce the power consumption of entire factories by making manufacturing equipment more power-efficient and air conditioning systems more efficient.

Representative examples:

・High-efficiency air conditioning systems

・Low-power manufacturing equipment

・Energy management systems

Advances in materials technology are also important for reducing environmental impact.

The development of new materials and processes is expected to reduce the use of chemicals and waste.

Main research areas:

・Low-environmental-impact materials

・PFAS alternative materials

・High-efficiency process materials

Because large amounts of ultrapure water are used in semiconductor manufacturing, water resource management is an important challenge.

Water use is being reduced through water recycling technologies and more efficient cleaning processes.

Main measures:

・Wastewater recycling

・Improved cleaning processes

・More advanced water treatment technologies

The semiconductor industry is built on a huge supply chain.

For this reason, realizing a sustainable industry requires environmental responses across the entire supply chain, including materials manufacturers and equipment manufacturers.

Key themes:

・Transparency in resource procurement

・Supplier audits

・Sharing environmental standards

In the semiconductor industry, performance improvements and environmental responsiveness must advance at the same time.

Because demand for AI and high-performance computing is expected to keep growing, the development of highly energy-efficient semiconductors will be important.

Examples:

・Low-power chips

・High-efficiency power supply circuits

・New power semiconductors

Semiconductors are an important industry that also concerns national security.

Governments around the world are strengthening investment in and support for the semiconductor industry, and they are required to balance industrial policy and environmental policy.

Representative examples:

・Semiconductor industry support policies

・Attracting leading-edge factories

・R&D support

Semiconductors support many social foundations, including power, communications, and transportation infrastructure.

For this reason, the development of semiconductor technology is indispensable for realizing a sustainable society.

Representative fields:

・Power control

・Communication networks

・Autonomous driving

Semiconductor companies need to manage with long-term sustainability in mind, not just short-term profits.

More and more companies are placing ESG strategies and environmental targets at the center of their management.

Main measures:

・Carbon neutrality targets

・Environmental investment

・Publishing ESG reports

The semiconductor industry is expected to continue growing.

However, that growth must proceed while confronting environmental impact and resource issues.

To realize a sustainable semiconductor industry, balancing technological innovation and environmental responsiveness will be indispensable.

Semiconductors are an important technology that will support the society of the future.

At the same time, we must consider the impact that their manufacture and use have on the environment.

Advancing sustainable technology development can be said to be our responsibility to the next generation.

・Semiconductors are a foundational technology supporting society

・The environmental impact of manufacturing processes is a challenge

・Green fabs and energy-saving technologies are advancing

・Responses across the entire supply chain are necessary

・Building a sustainable semiconductor industry is important

1.What does a green fab refer to?

2.Why is water resource management important in semiconductor manufacturing?

3.Why is sustainability considered important in the semiconductor industry?

 

Column Supervisor: Koji Kakumoto (President, OTIS Co., Ltd.)

After studying abroad and working in planning and development at a trading company, he joined OTIS Co., Ltd. in 2011. While primarily working in the Corporate Planning Department, he has also served concurrently in manufacturing and technical divisions, and since 2018 has served as President, working to drive business growth and strengthen the organization.

 

This article is a general technical explanation intended for educational purposes and does not refer to any specific company, product, or technology.