EPA To Exempt IBM's Copper Chip Production Process

Jan. 13, 2005
By Peter Strozniak IBM's groundbreaking use of copper to manufacture a new generation of computer chips is expected to benefit the environment. IBM and the U.S. EPA recently reached an agreement over the company's copper metalization process that ...
ByPeter Strozniak IBM's groundbreaking use of copper to manufacture a new generation of computer chips is expected to benefit the environment. IBM and the U.S. EPA recently reached an agreement over the company's copper metalization process that produces semiconductor chips at its Essex Junction, Vt., manufacturing plant. The EPA has agreed to exempt the copper-metalization process from federal regulations. Prior to copper metalization, IBM was using aluminum chemical vapor deposition process, which creates perfluorinated compounds, or PFCs, that produce greenhouse gases and contribute to global warming. The agreement calls for the IBM plant to reduce PFC emissions 40% by 2004, says Chad Carboni, an EPA project coordinator in Washington, D.C. "IBM has told us they are pretty confident they can reach the 40% goal before 2004," Carboni says. IBM is required to report its progress semi-annually. In addition, the copper metalization process is about 30% to 40% more energy efficient than aluminum chemical vapor desposition, and produces a computer chip that is 25% more energy efficient. Moreover, the copper process used to build a semiconductor is 20% to 30% less expensive than the same process used to manufacture with aluminum, said IBM, when it announced its copper metalization process in 1997. In 1998 IBM began manufacturing copper chips and shipped its one-millionth copper PowerPC chip in September1999. The use of copper improves the electrical properties of semiconductors. The copper metalization process was developed through a collaboration between IBM's Research and Microelectronics divisions. The IBM agreement was reached under EPA's Project XL, which stands for excellence in leadership, a national pilot program that allows businesses to voluntarily develop with the EPA innovative strategies to test better or more cost-effective methods of achieving environmental and public health protection.

Popular Sponsored Recommendations

Lean Manufacturing in the Age of the Industrial Internet

Oct. 24, 2023
Read how advanced MES capabilities can help you improve your labor utilization, reduce WIP, and optimize your production. Download the white paper today.

Gain a competitive edge with real-world lessons on private 5G networks

Nov. 16, 2023
The use of private networks in manufacturing applications is rapidly growing. In this paper, we present valuable insights and lessons learned from the field with the goal of enhancing...

Digitally Transforming Data and Processes With Product Lifecycle Management

Oct. 29, 2023
Manufacturers face increasing challenges in product development as they strive to consistently deliver improved results. Discover how industry leaders are improving time-to-market...

The Executive Guide to Best Practices for Ecommerce Integration

Oct. 2, 2023
Get ready to elevate your post-checkout experiences and thrive in today's unpredictable market. Learn why integration and automation are crucial to run operations more smoothly...

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of IndustryWeek, create an account today!