The Interuniversity Microelectronics Centre (IMEC) in Leuven will collaborate with three of the world's largest chip manufacturers (GlobalFoundries, Samsung Electronics and TSMC) to produce more sustainable computer chips, the centre announced on Tuesday.
A 2021 study by Harvard University and Arizona State University found that nearly 75% of CO2 emissions from devices such as smartphones, laptops and tablets can be attributed to their production. Chip manufacturing alone accounts for almost half of those emissions.
After calls for the technology sector to make processes more sustainable, IMEC launched the 'Sustainable Semiconductor Technologies & Systems Programme' (SSTS programme) in 2021. Companies from the entire value chain, from chip manufacturers to designers to device builders, are brought together in the sustainability programme to better inform the industry about its environmental impact and reduce it as much as possible.
Related News
- EU launches plan to make continent leader in microchip market
- Netherlands to curb export of microchip technology
Technology giants such as Amazon, Apple and Microsoft and suppliers like Applied Materials, ASML and Tokyo Electron have already joined the programme. Now three of the world's largest chip manufacturers have also backed the initiative.
"By benchmarking our virtual models at GlobalFoundries, Samsung Electronics and TSMC, we will be able to better identify energy consumption, water and mineral consumption and greenhouse gas emissions during different aspects of the chip manufacturing process," explained Lars-Åke Ragnarsson, STSS programme director.
"In the long-term, it will allow us to introduce improved processes and technology optimisations," he concluded.
