International SEMATECH
Manufacturing Initiative (ISMI), the global consortium of the world's major
semiconductor manufacturers, today announced the launch of its new Environment,
Safety + Health (ESH) Technology Center in Austin, Texas. The Center will be
dedicated to providing green technology solutions that lead to reduced energy
consumption, lower costs, and greater productivity in semiconductor manufacturing.
"Given the global environmental challenges we face, we believe there is
nothing more important than energy and resource conservation," said Scott
Kramer, vice president of manufacturing technology at SEMATECH. "Our objective
in launching the ESH Technology Center is to lead the effort to keep our industry's
manufacturing businesses productive, profitable, and sustainable, while significantly
reducing the environmental footprint of manufacturing operations."
In addition to the current ISMI members, who represent over half of the world's
semiconductor production, participation in the ESH Technology Center is open
to all chipmakers and equipment and materials manufacturers. Adopting ISMI's
successful collaborative model, the Center's participating companies will share
ideas and resources, and direct, continuously evaluate, and refresh the program
portfolio.
The new Center will drive ESH programs, built over 15 years by SEMATECH and
ISMI, to:
- promote energy and resource conservation through technical evaluations and
demonstrations;
- advance green semiconductor operations and processes;
- provide forums for sharing ESH benchmark data, surveys, and best practices.
As an example of the Center's work, past projects have demonstrated 10-20 percent
utility reductions by adopting best practices in ultrapure water recycle/reclaim
and cleanroom HVAC optimization. The new Center will continue this focus on
practical and cost-effective engineering solutions, and target other important
areas such as energy reduction in process equipment.
"At the Center we will work through all levels of the supply chain to
address the industry's need for sustainability, productivity, and cost-effectiveness,"
said Ron Remke, ISMI's ESH program manager who will head the Center. "We'll
be a source of data-driven best practices to tackle the challenges of sustainable
manufacturing and act as a proving ground for technology solutions."
"Sustainable manufacturing is vital for the long-term growth of the semiconductor
industry," said Kramer. "There is a high level of interest in the
Center, and we're convinced that it will bring significant value to existing
ISMI member companies and new participants alike. We all share a common commitment
to what is good for business and good for the environment, and together, we
can do great things."
Posted January 27th, 2009
