Program Helps Track and Improve Semiconductor Industry Environmental Performance

by Semiconductor Industry Association

For over a decade, SIA has worked with member companies to collect environmental data concerning the U.S. semiconductor industry. These surveys, which are the cornerstone of SIA’s Environmental Metrics Program (EMP), are important tools for our industry for benchmarking and achieving continuous improvement.

The surveys are particularly useful because they provide the industry a comparative view over many years of how the industry is performing for several key environmental metrics. For example, the surveys have tracked since 2001 how much electricity and water the industry has used annually in the front end semiconductor fabrication process in the United States. The good news is that the industry has steadily decreased its usage of both resources since 2001.

The U.S. semiconductor industry continues to work hard to further improve its environmental performance record (for more information, visit SIA’s Environment, Safety & Health page). SIA’s environmental metrics program is an important tool to better benchmark and measure annual progress in the environmental impact of its fabrication facilities. While the industry is proud of its environmental record, continuing to improve its performance on environmental metrics will remain a priority for the industry and SIA.