processes
Greening of ProcessesThe environmental friendliness of all production processes at SAMSUNG Electronics is being constantly improved through a source control program that maximizes the efficiency of raw material and energy use.
Goals to Realize the Greening of ProcessesReduction in the source pollution
- Solation of and separate process for undiluted chemicals
- Introducing the facility to handle combustible exhaust
Replacement of Restricted Materials
- Replacing the CFCs : Chiller, Freezer
- Replacing the Non-Safety Solvent with Safety Solvent
Reduction/Decrease in Waste Generation, Reuse
- Enforcing the waste volume-rate system
- Reducing the volume of waste commissioning
- Installing Sludge Dry/Reduction System
Reduction in the volume of wastewater generation
- Separating waste waters
- Utility Building Recollecting Rinse Water
Improvement in using materials and Minimization of risks of toxic gas
- Supplement to the toxic gas monitoring system
- Supplement to the toxic gas sensor
Goals to Realize the Greening of Processes
SAMSUNG Electronics is changing over to cleaner burning fuels to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide and perfluorocompounds (PFCs), both major contributors to the greenhouse effect. The company continues to develop PFC alternatives and to .improve utilization processes to help prevent global warming.
ImUse of Clean Fuels
Bunker C, which has been used as the energy source for heating facilities and powering.production processes, is being replaced by clean-burning Liquefied natural gas (LNG). This.change is helping to reduce the generation of CO2 and airborne particles
PFC Alternatives
SAMSUNG Electronics has voluntarily decided to reduce its emissions of PFCs, which are greenhouse gases. The target is to bring 1997 emission levels down 10% by 2010. In cooperation with the World Semiconductor Council, SAMSUNG is involved in a variety of measures to reduce overall PFC emissions. These include replacing PFCs with substances having less of an effect on global warming, improving process efficiency, and developing facilities for PFC removal or PFC recycling. In recognition of these efforts, US President Bill Clinton sent the company a letter of commendation in May 1999. .The CVD process at the Chuan TFT-LCD plant has been upgraded, shortening cleaning time and reducing the amount of NF3 gas (a PFC) by 23%.
Lower Energy Consumption
Each SAMSUNG Electronics plant seeks to lower its energy consumption by 5% a year, and a new Energy Sub-committee has undertaken the task of directing energy-use reduction activities within each division. The Onyang plant, which specializes in semiconductor assembly and testing, has lowered its energy consumption by reducing burn-in time (an essential process for testing chip features). Now, efforts are being aimed at cutting CO2 emissions as well as production costs. In addition, heat exchangers have been installed at each plant site to recover hot gas emissions generated by boilers. As a result, the water flowing into the boilers is hotter, thus lowering overall energy consumption.
Ozone layer ProtectionChemical substances known to deplete the earth's ozone layer are now banned from company.production processes. Alternatives for all chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and trichloroethylene.(TCE) were in use at SAMSUNG Electronics by 1995. Moreover, additional purchases of halon,.used in fire extinguishers, were prohibited from 1995.
Water Resource ProtectionMaximum Re-use of Industrial Water
Wastewater discharge facilities for each production process have been examined, and detailed.analysis has been carried out on the amounts of effluent being generated and the types of substances found in the wastewater. The effluents are classified into one of three grades: (1) reusable as is, (2) reusable after treatment, and (3) not reusable. As a result of these findings, the amounts of industrial water being used and wastewater being generated have.been reduced at least 50%. Moreover, the carefully treated wastewater is all being re-used at the plant sites.
Elimination of Water-consuming Processes
Solder paste that generates no residue has replaced the conventional solder paste used to affix semiconductor chips onto the printed circuit boards. As a result, the water washing process for removing solder residue is no longer needed. Not only has the product quality been enhanced, but 5,000 tons of industrial water is also being saved each year.
Reduction of Hazardous Chemical Use
The UN's action program Agenda 21 and the OECD Decision have both stressed the need to establish countermeasures to the dangers that chemicals pose to human health and the environment. SAMSUNG Electronics is doing much more than monitoring the amounts of hazardous chemicals being dumped. The company's Chemical Reprocess System (CRS) treats wastewater from semiconductor processes and recovers the sulfuric acid for re-use. This reduces the amount of sulfuric acid being used by at least 50% and cuts the water needed to wash off the sulfuric acid by 40%.
Upgrading Processes Using Heavy MetalsThe lead frame, which is used to attach the semiconductor to the printed circuit board, must be plated with lead or tin to enhance its conductivity and bonding strength. SAMSUNG is developing a lead-free package in response to new environmental regulations in Europe and to improve the safety of the workplace. The company anticipates having the technology to mass-produce all of its semiconductors with lead-free packaging by the end of 2000. Containers have been changed to eliminate traces of waste lead paste on the printed circuit board. Flux has been replaced (by a more environment-friendly substance) and storage conditions have been altered to free the workplace of lead residue. The result has been less toxic waste produced and less money spent on cleanup (at Kumi and Onyang).
Extended Chemical Life
The lifetimes of the stripper, AI etchant, and MS acid used in plating and LCD etching processes have been prolonged, thereby reducing the volume used and the amount of toxic waste generated.
