The semiconductor industry, a cornerstone of the technological revolution, faces a formidable challenge: managing the environmental impact of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) used in chip manufacturing. A recent review published in *Environmental Science & Technology* sheds light on the current state of PFAS waste management in this sector, offering a roadmap for sustainable growth.
PFAS, often dubbed “forever chemicals,” are indispensable in semiconductor manufacturing due to their unique properties. They play crucial roles in processes like photolithography and etching. However, their persistence in the environment and potential health risks pose significant concerns. “Managing the waste from these facilities is a massive undertaking,” said Xiao Su, a professor of chemical and biomolecular engineering at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. A single large factory can produce thousands of cubic meters of wastewater daily, a complex “soup” of diverse PFAS mixed with solvents, metals, and salts.
The review, a consensus statement from a workshop held in August 2024, brings together experts from academia, industry, and government. It highlights three priority areas: improved monitoring, effective separation, and safe destruction of PFAS. Lead co-author Devashish Gokhale emphasized the need for a sustainable path forward, stating, “This review is really a consensus statement on where we see the field right now, and where it needs to go for the semiconductor PFAS problem to be solved in a way that allows the industry to grow sustainably.”
Advanced tools like AI paired with high-resolution mass spectrometry could help identify PFAS origins and transformations. Technologies for breaking chemical bonds, such as plasma discharge and electrochemical oxidation, along with novel absorbents and membranes, are also under scrutiny. However, these technologies, often developed for municipal water systems, require significant adaptation to handle the complexity of industrial waste.
“Traditional water treatment methods often fail to catch these chemicals, especially the ‘short’ and ‘ultrashort-chain’ versions that are common in semiconductor waste,” Su noted. The proprietary nature of many chemical formulas adds another layer of complexity, making it difficult for researchers to identify PFAS in waste streams.
Beyond technical challenges, the paper identifies regulatory, practical, and research needs. These include understanding PFAS’ transmutable chemical properties, anticipating future regulations, gaining access to real industrial waste streams for lab work, and scaling up lab technologies for industrial settings.
The semiconductor industry’s rapid growth presents a unique opportunity for researchers. “There are a lot of high-value applications in the semiconductor industry, which is growing very rapidly,” Gokhale said. “This is really a unique opportunity for folks to translate their academic research into industrial practice in an area where there could be significant industrial investment and government interest.”
The review underscores the need for deeper collaboration between industry, academia, and policymakers. “The ultimate goal is to integrate these tools into compact, cost-effective systems that can be implemented in either existing or future space-constrained factories,” Su said. By fostering partnerships, the sector aims to reach a “zero-discharge” future that supports both technological advancement and environmental safety.
This news could shape the development of the water, sanitation, and drainage sector by highlighting the urgent need for innovative solutions to manage PFAS waste. It challenges the industry to adapt existing technologies and foster collaboration to address this growing concern. The review serves as a call to action, sparking debate and driving progress toward sustainable semiconductor manufacturing.