Podcast: Sustainability in the Semiconductor Industry

In the 7th Hello Future podcast, the focus is on ‘Sustainability in the semiconductor industry: between reporting obligations and pressure to innovate’. Podcast host Julia Nitzschner (Silicon Saxony) is joined by Silke Bremen (ESMC), René Reichardt (DAS Environmental Experts) and Robert Weichert (WeichertMehner), who discuss the key ecological and economic challenges facing the European chip industry.

The production of modern semiconductors currently requires around 300 different chemicals and consumes vast quantities of energy and water. If Europe were to achieve its target market share of 20%, this would result in annual CO₂ emissions of around 100 million tonnes — more than any other European industry currently produces. The entire high-tech ecosystem is caught between tighter regulations and pressure to innovate in order to establish sustainability as an integral competitive factor and strategy in the global market, not just an obligation.

Conclusion: In order to build a green, competitive semiconductor industry and thus secure Europe’s industrial future in the long term, Europe must more closely integrate its environmental, social and economic efforts.