The semiconductor industry is facing a crisis
On December 20 local time, 3M Company, a large manufacturer of consumer goods and industrial supplies, announced that it would completely withdraw from the production of perfluorinated and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Strive to stop using PFAS in its product portfolio by the end of 2025.
Mike Roman, CEO of 3M, said that two factors could impact on: one is the increasingly strengthened supervision of this chemical substance, and the other is the growing demand for alternatives in the market.
What is PFAS?
According to the data, PFAS is a general term for a large class of fluorine-containing organic compounds. It contains nearly 5000 kinds of chemicals produced in industry, such as PFOA, PFOS, PFHxS, PFCAs, etc. It is also called a “permanent chemical substance”. Because of their stable chemical properties and difficult decomposition, they can play role in fields such as medicine, semiconductor, batteries, telephone, automobiles, aircraft, etc
However, the study found that PFAS, as a ubiquitous pollutant, now widely exists in soil and water, as well as in human beings, fish and wild animals.
More controversial in recent years
Therefore, in recent years, governments and non-governmental organizations have increasingly demanded to stop the production of PFAS. And their regulation has become increasingly strict.
At present, the two categories of substances in PFAS, are PFOS and PFOA. They list in the Annex of the Stockholm Convention. Except for exempted or permitted uses, they have prohibited the circulation of these two categories of substances in the EU market.
In addition, the Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, Sweden and Norway are also developing a limitation proposal. The proposal will cover PFAS for all other purposes, and they planned to submit the proposal to ECHA in January 2023.
The EU’s sustainable chemicals strategy places PFAS policy at the top and centre.
3M will perform the following two actions
Exit all PFAS production by the end of 2025: 3M will stop producing all fluoropolymers, fluorinated fluids and additives based on PFAS.
Try to stop using PFAS in 3M’s product portfolio by the end of 2025: In the past three years. 3M has reduced the use of PFAS through continuous research and development and will continue to innovate new solutions for customers.
3M said that through these two actions, 3M will innovate and create a world that reduces dependence on PFAS.
Semiconductor key materials
The coolant (electronic fluorinated liquid) required for semiconductor manufacturing is also a PFAS product. Because it is colourless, tasteless, low viscosity, non-conductive, high safety, and has very stable physical and chemical properties.
3M has always held a monopoly position in the global semiconductor coolant market. Its customers include TSMC, Samsung, SK Hynix, Intel and many other large manufacturers.
As 3M announces to completely stop production of PFAS by 2025, relevant manufacturers may follow up in the future. Although the consumption of semiconductor coolant in the semiconductor manufacturing industry is not high.
However, with the continuous growth of semiconductor manufacturing capacity, the demand for semiconductor coolant will continue to increase. This also makes the stable supply of semiconductor coolant in the future a new problem.
