The semiconductor industry faces significant challenges in achieving environmental sustainability, particularly in the area of materials. The production of semiconductor materials often involves energy-intensive processes and the use of hazardous chemicals, leading to high levels of greenhouse gas emissions and the generation of toxic waste. Additionally, the depletion of finite natural resources used in semiconductor manufacturing, such as rare earth elements, poses a threat to the long-term sustainability of the industry. Addressing these issues through the development of more eco-friendly materials, efficient manufacturing processes, and effective waste management strategies is crucial for reducing the environmental impact of semiconductor production.
We’ve curated applications and patents from the semiconductor industry over the past three years. Following an auto-landscape analysis, we’ve distilled the following insights.Because of the lag in time between patent filing and publication of the related application (on
average 18 months), this report does not give a complete picture but rather a perspective on
publicly available semiconductor-related patent information up until February 2024.
Summary
- Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) Ltd., a semiconductor foundry, has the highest number of patents (18) among the top assignees, despite not being a solar cell or module manufacturer. This is surprising because the data primarily relates to solar energy technologies.
- The reason for the anomaly is that TSMC is a leading semiconductor foundry, and their patents may be related to semiconductor technologies used in solar cells or modules, rather than the solar cells or modules themselves.
Who are the top companies working on environmental sustainability materials in semicondutor?
| Companies | Patent Count |
| Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co TSMC Ltd | 18 |
| Semes Co Ltd | 8 |
| Samsung Electronics Co Ltd | 8 |
Who is collaborating on environmental sustainability materials in semicondutors?
| Companies | Count |
| Jinko Solar Co Ltd & Zhejiang Jinko Solar Co Ltd | 6 |
| Jinko Green Energy Shanghai Management Co Ltd & Zhejiang Jinko Solar Co Ltd | 2 |
| Jinko Solar Co Ltd & Zhejiang Jinko Solar Co Ltd & Zhejinang Jinko Solar Co Ltd | 1 |
| Toshiba Corp & Toshiba Electronic Devices and Storage Corp | 1 |
| Tongwei Solar Anhui Co Ltd & Tongwei Solar Chengdu Co Ltd & Tongwei Solar Hefei Co Ltd & Tongwei Solar Jintang Co Ltd & Tongwei Solar Meishan Co Ltd | 1 |
Who are the top inventors that are working on environmental sustainability materials in semicondutors?
| Inventors | Patent count |
| Jie Yang | 5 |
| Xinyu Zhang | 5 |
| Hao Jin | 4 |
What are the filing trends of environmental sustainability materials in semicondutors?
| Year | Patent count |
| 2021 | 48 |
| 2022 | 91 |
| 2023 | 14 |
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