With the increasing demand for semiconductors and data centers as memory and storage applications grow, there is a need for increased sustainability efforts. IDTechEx's portfolios of Semiconductors, Computing & AI and Sustainability Research Reports explores the growing opportunities for decarbonization within these sectors.
The drivers behind sustainable change
High energy and water usage, large volumes of chemicals and materials, alongside the usage of PFAS and harmful chemicals, are some of the current issues with conventional semiconductor manufacturing that sustainable changes could look to resolve. As well as contributing to harmful emissions, many of the materials used in semiconductor manufacturing can lead to water contamination.
As the semiconductor industry increases in size, water and energy usage will only continue to become a greater challenge, which is where new regulations may start to make an impact in their push for sustainability. IDTechEx reports multiple ongoing funding activities within the semiconductor industry, for both new fabs and research projects, which will also help drive positive changes. IDTechEx's report, "Sustainable Electronics and Semiconductor Manufacturing 2025-2035: Players, Markets, Forecasts".
Energy and chemicals in semiconductor manufacturing
Low energy processes could be one approach to reducing the high energy associated with semiconductor manufacturing and would resultantly lead to a reduced number of emissions produced as a result. Additionally, reducing material usage by eliminating unnecessary components would be another opportunity for implementing a more sustainable approach to semiconductor manufacturing.
Changing the types of chemicals used to non-toxic alternatives would bring about a more sustainable approach. With the EU's banning of many commonly used chemicals by 2030, the trend of sustainability will hopefully catch on worldwide, leading to an increase in developments for non-PFAS-containing products. Sourcing sustainable chemicals can be tricky, especially finding ones that can offer the same performance qualities, though IDTechEx reports the potential for research to be furthered by AI software. IDTechEx's report, "Materials Informatics 2025-2035: Markets, Strategies, Players" explores the possibilities of AI for the design and discovery of chemicals, and for computing.
The performance of semiconductors is something that cannot afford to be compromised, which is where one of the main barriers to sustainability comes into play. Integrating new, sustainable materials and processes into existing complex supply chains and manufacturing processes will also prove difficult, and likely result in increased costs
Sustainability opportunities within data centers
Within the decarbonization of data centers, implementing sustainability processes into semiconductor manufacturing will be one step towards achieving a lower carbon footprint throughout the value chain. By manufacturing low-power, highly efficient semiconductor chips, the overall energy consumption of a data center would be reduced, leading to increased sustainability. IDTechEx's report, "Sustainability for Data Centers 2025-2035: Green Technologies, Market Forecasts, and Players", explores these possibilities, alongside other alternatives for increasing sustainability across this sector.
Semiconductor chips designed for longevity, repairability, and recyclability, are helping to make end-of-life processes for electronics more sustainable, as well as creating less waste. This is not only relevant for chips themselves, but for data centers to improve the processing of electronics when they need replacing, generating increased sustainability overall.
For more information, visit IDTechEx's reports, "Sustainable Electronics and Semiconductor Manufacturing 2025-2035: Players, Markets, Forecasts" and "Sustainability for Data Centers 2025-2035: Green Technologies, Market Forecasts, and Players" and the Semiconductors, Computing & AI and Sustainability portfolios.
