‘Smart factory’ technologies could decarbonise semiconductor production in £2.4m project

A £2.4m project will develop and deploy new ‘smart factory’ technologies to boost the efficiency and reduce the environmental impact of semiconductor production.

Pragmatic Semiconductor gave further details about its leadership of the Inspire project today (14 October), which was previously announced by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) as part of the Sustainable Smart Factory Competition.

The Cambridge company, which specialises in low-cost flexible electronics, will use the new digital technologies at its FlexLogic semiconductor fabrication facilities.

Funding will focus on innovation to “accelerate the decarbonisation of semiconductor manufacturing by optimising the consumption, quality, and recovery of resources across wafer processing, tools, and facilities,” the company said. “The smart factory approaches developed will demonstrate how sustainability can become a measure of fabrication performance by manufacturers globally.”

CEO Scott White said: “We have already developed semiconductor devices that are significantly more cost effective and sustainable than traditional silicon chips – and now we are excited to lead the way in new manufacturing technologies that will reduce our environmental impact even further. Ultimately, we aim to develop and define best-in-class sustainable semiconductor manufacturing practices, to accelerate decarbonisation and improve resource efficiency within the industry.”

The project will integrate new manufacturing technologies with existing systems, including: sensors monitoring resource use and quality; development of AI and machine learning algorithms, aggregating operational, tools and facilities data; and active water and energy management.

The company is working alongside partners such as DevTank, Innoflow and Suez Water Technologies & Solutions.

Ben Harding, regional vice-president for UK and Ireland at Suez, said: “Water scarcity and carbon emissions are issues that impact us on a global scale. Inspire is a unique opportunity to apply our Insight digital monitoring platform to measure and optimise consumption, determining best practices for minimising carbon footprint and environmental impact within microelectronics and other manufacturing sectors.”