Applied Materials Joins ISMI’s ESH Technology Center

The International SEMATECH Manufacturing Initiative (ISMI)announced that Applied Materials, Inc. has become the newest member of the award-winning Environment, Safety and Health (ESH) Technology Center. Applied will join leading semiconductor manufacturers in cooperative projects for sustainable manufacturing, industry environmental standards and green practices in chip-making.

“We’re pleased to welcome one of the leading equipment manufacturers to the world’s first world-wide R&D center dedicated to cost-effective, environmentally friendly semiconductor manufacturing,” said Ron Remke, ISMI’s ESH program manager and head of the Center. “We appreciate Applied Materials’ many contributions to the industry, and share its commitment to do what is good for business and the environment.”

“Applied Materials is excited about expanding our collaboration with ISMI and its member companies to enhance the industry’s sustainability initiatives,” said Bruce Klafter, senior director for EHS and Sustainability at Applied Materials. “Using technological innovation, action and commitment, we can work together to find solutions to improving the environmental performance of our products and processes.”

The EHS Technology Center was formed in 2009 to provide a broad-based, collaborative platform for developing better environmental practices for the industry, with goals of increasing efficiency and reducing costs in semiconductor operations. Open to all chipmakers and equipment and materials manufacturers, the Center’s membership currently represents more than half of the world’s semiconductor production.

Within the Center, hundreds of ESH experts and consultants from around the world will work closely with Applied Materials to develop data-driven solutions in areas such as energy and resource conservation, chemical management, and industry response to climate change.

“The Center is a prime example of ISMI’s collaborative model in which leading chipmakers and equipment and materials manufacturers can participate in a broad consortium-industry-university partnership to develop environmentally sustainable semiconductor manufacturing processes,” said Scott Kramer, vice president of manufacturing technology at SEMATECH.

“We’re bringing together world-class researchers and engineers from Applied Materials, ISMI and the ESH Technology Center to find green solutions that improve productivity and lower costs while significantly reducing the environmental footprint of manufacturing operations,” Kramer added.

The center is the industry’s first global collaborative research effort dedicated to finding and implementing the most cost-effective, environmentally friendly manufacturing processes and procedures. Participating companies share ideas and resources, while directing, evaluating and refreshing the program portfolio.

Last year, the center received the 2009 CleanTech Award for green and clean technology, and the 2009 Lunar New Year Award from the Texas Asian Chamber of Commerce for pioneering eco-friendly industry standards.