"PFAS are widely used in the design and manufacture of semiconductor packaging. Critical functions provided by PFAS have been identified in the substrate core, substrate buildup layers, fluxes, adhesives, underfills, electronic mold compounds, and thermal interface materials." 

Source: https://www.nae.edu/317988/Critical-Needs-for-NonPFAS-Semiconductor-Packaging-Materials

🛑 Peoria Taxpayers on the Hook for PFAS Pollution! 🛑

Amkor’s Factory = PFAS Chemicals in Our Water

🔴 Amkor’s microchip packaging process will use large amounts of toxic PFAS chemicals. These "forever chemicals" are incredibly expensive to remove from wastewater.

🔴 Who’s paying for cleanup? YOU ARE!
✅ Peoria is only charging Amkor 50% of the cost to clean reclaimed water—taxpayers cover the rest!
✅ Peoria has agreed in principle to help fund a PFAS wastewater cleanup facility—that means more taxpayer subsidies!

PFAS Cleanup = Sky-High Costs

🔍 A study from Minnesota found that small wastewater plants pay 6X more per pound to clean up PFAS compared to large facilities.

Meanwhile…

💰 Apple—Amkor’s biggest customer—is worth $3.5 TRILLION.
💰 Why should Peoria residents subsidize some of the wealthiest companies on Earth?

📢 Demand accountability. Protect Peoria’s water. Stop corporate subsidies!

"Groundbreaking study shows unaffordable costs of PFAS cleanup from wastewater"

Unaffordability of PFAS cleanup from wastewater

The full report will be of interest to the wastewater management and scientific communities. Key findings of broader interest include:

• Removing and destroying PFAS from water and biosolids leaving Minnesota’s wastewater treatment facilities could cost between $14 billion and $28 billion over 20 years.

• PFAS can be bought for $50 - $1,000 per pound (according to MPCA estimates), but costs between $2.7 million and $18 million per pound to remove and destroy from municipal wastewater, depending on facility size.

• Small wastewater treatment facilities would face per-pound costs over six times greater than large facilities due to economies of scale.

• New “short-chain” types of PFAS are more difficult and up to 70% more expensive to remove and destroy compared to old “long-chain” PFAS.

Source: https://www.pca.state.mn.us/news-and-stories/groundbreaking-study-shows-unaffordable-costs-of-pfas-cleanup-from-wastewater

Is the City of Peoria, Arizona, equipped technically and financially to treat the wastewater from Amkor as they have committed?

"What are Peoria and Amkor doing to address water scarcity?

Under the initial development agreement, the city is committed to providing Amkor with a maximum of 980,000 gallons daily of reclaimed water during the project’s first phase and nearly 2 million gallons daily for both phases.

Over the next decade, Amkor will pay the city 50% of the costs to treat the reclaimed water. It also must return at least 80% of its wastewater after retreating it through an industrial pretreatment program the company must build.

The city and Amkor also agreed, “in principle,” to collaboratively design and construct a recycled water facility."

Source: AZ Central, December 5th, 2024

Shawn Raymundo covers the West Valley cities of Glendale, Peoria and Surprise. Reach him at[email protected] or follow him on X @ShawnzyTsunami.

Water usage and the presence of PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are significant environmental concerns in many manufacturing processes, including microchip packaging.

1. Water Usage:

• High Water Consumption: Semiconductor manufacturing, including the microchip packaging process, requires large quantities of water. This water is used for cooling, cleaning, and chemical dilution. Water-intensive processes may include washing wafers to remove debris, rinsing, and cooling machines.

• Water Quality Concerns: Clean water is essential to avoid contamination during the manufacturing of microchips. Water used in the packaging process must meet specific standards to ensure that it does not introduce impurities or cause defects in the chips.

• Water Waste: While much of the water used in semiconductor manufacturing is recycled within the facility, significant amounts of water can still be wasted. This has raised concerns, especially in regions experiencing water scarcity or where water management practices are less efficient.

2. PFAS in Microchip Packaging:

• What Are PFAS?: PFAS (also called "forever chemicals") are a large class of human-made chemicals used in various industrial and consumer products. They are highly resistant to water, oil, and heat, making them useful in applications where these properties are needed, such as coatings, lubricants, and fire-resistant materials.
  
  

• PFAS in Semiconductor Manufacturing: In semiconductor manufacturing, PFAS chemicals can be used in certain processes such as cleaning agents, fire-fighting foams, or in chemical vapor deposition (CVD) for thin-film deposition. These chemicals may also be used in the packaging process in materials that require water- or heat-resistant coatings.
  
  

• Environmental Impact: PFAS are persistent in the environment and do not break down easily, which is why they have earned the nickname "forever chemicals." When released into the environment, PFAS can contaminate water sources, soil, and air. In manufacturing environments, PFAS can enter wastewater and be released into nearby ecosystems if not properly managed.
  
  

• Health Risks of PFAS: PFAS are associated with various health risks, including liver damage, immune system suppression, hormone disruption, and potential cancer risks. Workers in microchip manufacturing facilities and communities near these facilities may be exposed to PFAS through contaminated water or air.
  
  

• Regulatory Pressure: Because of the growing concerns about PFAS contamination, environmental agencies in many countries are putting increasing pressure on manufacturers to reduce the use of PFAS and properly treat wastewater to remove these chemicals. There is ongoing research into alternatives to PFAS, and many companies are looking for ways to minimize their usage in semiconductor manufacturing processes.
  
  

Addressing the Issues:

a) Reducing Water Usage:

• Water Recycling and Reuse: Many semiconductor manufacturers are investing in water recycling technologies to reduce their water consumption and improve sustainability. This involves collecting and treating wastewater, which is then reused for cleaning or cooling purposes.

• Efficient Water Management: Facilities are adopting better water management practices to minimize waste, optimize usage, and reduce the environmental impact of their operations. This includes using advanced filtration systems to ensure water quality and reduce the need for fresh water.

b) PFAS Management and Alternatives:

• PFAS-Free Alternatives: To mitigate PFAS risks, semiconductor manufacturers are increasingly seeking safer alternatives to PFAS in their processes. Research into non-toxic, biodegradable chemicals is underway, but widespread alternatives are still being developed.

• Wastewater Treatment: Specialized treatment systems are used in some semiconductor plants to filter out PFAS from wastewater before it is discharged. Advanced filtration technologies like activated carbon, ion-exchange resins, and reverse osmosis systems can help capture and remove these chemicals.

• Environmental Regulations: To comply with tightening regulations, manufacturers are under pressure to phase out PFAS and improve their processes for disposing of hazardous waste, including wastewater contaminated with PFAS.

Conclusion:

The microchip packaging process does have environmental implications related to water use and the potential presence of PFAS. While water is crucial for the process, efforts are being made to minimize waste through recycling. The dangers of PFAS, though still a challenge, are being addressed through research into alternatives and better environmental management practices. The semiconductor industry is increasingly focused on sustainability and reducing the environmental footprint of microchip production

Links

https://time.com/6333723/semiconductor-history-chips-act/

https://www.forbes.com/sites/arleneblum/2024/12/17/chip-manufacturing-shortcuts-harm-our-health-and-environment/

https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/senate-bill/2228

https://www.nae.edu/317988/Critical-Needs-for-NonPFAS-Semiconductor-Packaging-Materials

https://www.pca.state.mn.us/news-and-stories/groundbreaking-study-shows-unaffordable-costs-of-pfas-cleanup-from-wastewater