The European Union is being advised to strengthen its focus on sustainable semiconductor production as emissions from the industry continue to rise.
A new study by the think-tank Interface highlights the growing pollution caused by the manufacturing of cutting-edge chips, essential for AI technology.
Over the past eight years, global energy consumption in the semiconductor sector has surged by 125%, largely due to the increasing demand for advanced chips, which require higher energy input and generate more emissions.
While the industry’s high-emission production methods have raised concerns, the report also points to opportunities for Europe to capitalise on its strengths in the manufacturing of ‘legacy’ chips.
These chips, used in sectors like automotive, energy, and industrial applications, tend to have a smaller environmental footprint. European companies such as STMicroelectronics, Infineon, and NXP are already market leaders in this area, which could be key to the EU’s efforts to foster a greener transition.
Despite the EU’s ambitions, including the 2023 Chips Act aimed at boosting production, questions remain over whether Europe should invest further in cutting-edge chip manufacturing.
The study suggests that pursuing this route could have significant environmental costs, particularly due to the high energy consumption involved. However, the EU’s access to renewable energy sources and water might provide an advantage over the high-cost, energy-hungry production processes in Asia.
Julia Hess, the study’s lead author, argues that chips manufactured under higher environmental standards could offer Europe a long-term competitive edge in the semiconductor industry, driving both sustainability and technological leadership.
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