TSMC tackles water demands of tiny chips

Semiconductors are everywhere

There are trillions of semiconductors driving almost all electronic goods; without them, the modern world simply wouldn’t work. What’s more, the transistors within these complex structures are minuscule – 10,000 times finer than a human hair. Investment Manager Tom Miedema investigates the ubiquitous chip.

Made in Taiwan

But Taiwan is already subject to water stress. It relies on rainfall for most of its water, and up to 30% of that comes from typhoons. And the frequency of typhoons is reducing.

Made by TSMC

The smaller and more complex chips become, the more water intensive the manufacturing process is, with more cycles of etching and rinsing. TSMC is the leading Taiwanese manufacturer of advanced semiconductors. As its technologies advance, its water consumption grows.

TSMC aims for a 30% reduction in its water consumption and to reclaim over 60% of its water by 2030. It is involved in developing water reclamation technologies and the construction of desalination plants.