In our Fall Semiconductor Series, we discuss the sustainability challenges facing semiconductor fabs and why an integrated software and automation solution is the right solution \u2013 both for today and the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Today\u2019s unprecedented demand is forcing semiconductor plants into continuous, 24\/7 operation, generating a significant environ\u00admental impact due to high energy and chemical use and elevated water consump\u00adtion. The resultant waste and byproducts are driving a surge in greenhouse gas emissions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A joint report from the global association Semiconductor Equipment and Materials International (SEMI), the Climate Consortium and the Boston Consulting Group revealed the semiconductor industry, including chip design, electronic design automation (EDA) and ingress protection (IP), wafer fabrication, manufacturing and package, assembly and test) is responsible for 0.3 percent of global carbon emissions. Another 1 percent is produced by upstream and downstream suppliers and users. Sixty-five percent of emissions from semiconductor manufac\u00adturing come from using electricity to power equipment and buildings. About 30 percent of emissions result from using process chemi\u00adcals that enter the atmosphere during manufacturing.*<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As the demand continues to grow for smart devices, so does the responsibility to ensure their design and produc\u00adtion is environmentally responsible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Unfortunately, legacy systems offer fragmented solutions that fall short of what manufacturers demand today to meet sustainability challenges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Many legacy systems are unconnected without a common data platform or common language across systems, limiting the secure collaboration, visibility and traceability needed to compete in today\u2019s global ecosystem. Design, engineering and manufacturing functions often exist in silos where sharing information is difficult, impacting innovation, sustainability planning and manu\u00adfacturing optimization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Some limitations of the traditional approach include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Semiconductor manufacturers have now entered a new era, one defined not only by speed and profitability, but by resilience, adaptability and sustainability. To thrive in this future, they must embed sustainability into the core of every decision, process and product to unlock a dynamic, data-driven and artificial intelligence (AI) enabled view of the entire value chain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Software and automation working synergistically can bring the energy efficiency, decarbonization, resource efficiency and circularity needed to transform the fab.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While software enables process optimization, automation drives operational efficiency. Their seamless integration creates a multiplier effect that delivers predictive insights, self-adjusting systems and real-time optimiza\u00adtion that transforms semiconductor manufacturing from reactive to proactive, unlocking new levels of sustainabil\u00adity and performance that neither could achieve alone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In next week’s Blog, we will discuss how semiconductor fabs can leverage the dynamic synergies of integrated software and automation to improve energy efficiency, decarbonization, resource efficiency, circularity and yield.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Or if you\u2019d like to discover more about this topic right now, just download<\/a>\u00a0our new eBook below, \u201cUsing integrated software and automation to transform fab sustainability.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n *SEMI, Semiconductor Climate Consortium and Boston Consulting Group Report, Pages 3, 12: https:\/\/discover.semi.org\/rs\/320-QBB-055\/images\/Transparency-Ambition-and-Collaboration-BCG-SEMI-SCC-20230919.pdf<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n