Per- and poly-fluoro alkyl substances (PFAS) are used in chemical formulations, components of manufacturing process tools, facilities infrastructure and packaging used to make the semiconductor devices that are integral to our modern world. Concerns regarding the persistence, mobility and potential toxicity of certain PFAS are driving governments across the globe to propose broad PFAS restrictions.
The semiconductor industry is an acknowledged global leader in promoting environmental sustainability in the design, manufacture, and use of its products, as well as the health and safety of its operations and impacts on workers in semiconductor facilities (fabs).
The industry and its key suppliers have formed a Semiconductor PFAS Consortium to collect the technical data needed to better inform public policy and legislation, including:
- Identification of critical uses,
- Application of the pollution prevention hierarchy to, where possible: reduce PFAS consumption or eliminate use, identify alternatives, and minimize and control emissions,
- Identification of research needs, and
- Development of socioeconomic impact assessments.
The consortium membership includes semiconductor manufacturers and members of the supply chain including chemical, material and equipment suppliers.
