Semiconductors are foundational to the global economy. They directly and indirectly support industries including automotive, defense, electronics, communications, data storage and analysis, scientific research, medical and energy. As it continues to supply the world with its critical enabling technologies, the semiconductor manufacturing industry is committed to maintaining its legacy of responsible environmental stewardship. For example, our industry has a well-documented history of phasing out of PFAS including PFOS and PFOA and is focused on addressing global concerns associated with their use.
That’s why we are launching the SEMI PFAS Initiative as part of our mission to support sustainable semiconductor industry growth. The Initiative will accelerate industry efforts to reduce PFAS dependency, mitigate PFAS-related semiconductor supply chain disruption, and encourage environmentally responsible risk management in cases where there are no alternatives to PFAS. The SEMI PFAS Initiative working groups will initially focus on the following areas:
- Industry Transition Strategy/Risk Mapping: Identify and investigate long-term supply chain vulnerabilities stemming from regulatory action, market forces and product discontinuation. Align on an industry roadmap to replace PFAS where feasible and highlight opportunities to reduce the environmental impact of PFAS use in cases where alternatives do not exist.
- Transparency: Enable standardized communication on the presence of PFAS in chemical formulations, materials, tools, parts, and fab infrastructure to minimize the burden of varied reporting expectations while protecting confidential business information. Improve understanding of PFAS uses in the supply chain to help strengthen risk management.
- Supply Chain Resiliency: Promote near-term business continuity and stability in the semiconductor supply chain by identifying opportunities to mitigate tactical supply risks posed by the shifting PFAS market landscape.
- Additional focus areas such as research, detection, abatement, and controls may be added in the future based on opportunities and critical needs identified by the three working groups. (Any additions will only be pursued after further scoping and discussion with related industry groups.)
To maximize its impact, the SEMI PFAS Initiative will strive to align with related industry groups such as the existing SEMI PFAS Working Group and the SIA Semiconductor PFAS Consortium.
All SEMI members are encouraged to participate in the PFAS Initiative. Kickoff meetings on November 15 and 20 introduced the Initiative and membership criteria, and SEMI is now in the process of forming individual working groups. Please contact ehs@semi.org to be added to the interest list.
James Amano is Senior Director of EHS at SEMI.