Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
TABLE 13.3
Locations of Semiconductor Fabs
a
Country or Region 4th Qtr. 2010 4th Qtr. 2011
b
4th Qtr. 2012
b
America 238 238 237
China 134 153 157
Europe/Middle East 159 164 166
Japan 241 242 238
South Korea 58 59 60
Southeast Asia 46 46 48
Taiwan 101 108 111
Total 977 1010 1017
Source:
C.G. Dieseldorff, “SEMI World Fab Forecast November 2011, prelimi-
nary edition,” SEMI, San Jose, CA, November 2010.
a
Includes R&D and pilot facilities.
b
Estimated igures.
The reason to briely examine the fab igures is twofold. One, existing fabs and fab con-
struction provides an indication of where the industry is going. However, more important,
new fab construction or planning provides an indication to those active in the semicon-
ductor water business of where future business opportunities may lie, both for conven-
tional water treatment technologies and products that incorporate nanotechnology.
The semiconductor water market includes a number of different aspects, as noted here:
• Pretreatment equipment
• High-purity systems (disinfection [UV, ozone]), deionization (IX, RO, and EDI),
monitoring instruments (total organic carbon [TOC], pH, conductivity, and parti-
cle monitoring), high-purity distribution loops (piping, valves, and related items),
heating systems for hot DI water, and inal ilters (MF and UF)
• Wastewater treatment to prepare semiconductor efluent for discharge or reuse
• Cooling water systems (non-high-purity water)
• Miscellaneous: design/engineering, system consulting
13.8.2 Microelectronics Industry Summary
Here are some takeaway thoughts on the semiconductor industry and water treatment:
• The semiconductor industry is a major global industry and hence, an important
water treatment market.
• Future business trends indicate the greatest immediate growth will be in Asian-
Paciic countries.
• High-purity water is an important ingredient to everyday fab operation. The qual-
ity standards for high-purity water imply a more sophisticated market segment.
• Opportunities exist for water technologies that can solve treatment concerns,
including nanotechnology.
The next section will examine desalination.
