Samsung Electronics Verifies Semiconductor Carbon Emissions with 'Life Cycle Assessment'... "Customer Trust"

Quantification of the Entire Process from Raw Material Collection and Processing to Product Manufacturing, Transportation, Use, and Disposal

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] Samsung Electronics announced on the 30th that it has established a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) system for its semiconductor business and completed third-party verification.

LCA is a process that quantifies the materials and energy input and waste emissions throughout the entire process, including raw material extraction and processing, product manufacturing, transportation, usage, and disposal, to calculate environmental impact. Samsung Electronics explained that it has now become possible to calculate the carbon emissions generated during the semiconductor manufacturer's controllable stages, from raw material procurement to product production, packaging, and testing.

Samsung Electronics stated that it completed the LCA system according to international standards at the end of last year. It also completed verification by the global energy and environmental certification body DNV. The LCA system is now operated in accordance with international standards. The reliability of the carbon emission figures calculated through this process has been demonstrated to stakeholders. The carbon emission figures serve as a benchmark for understanding the environmental impact of semiconductors and the products and facilities that use them. This can accelerate the development of low-carbon semiconductors and be used as an indicator to confirm emission reductions.

Since 2019, Samsung Electronics has secured environmental certification systems related to 37 products, including DRAM, SSD (storage devices), embedded memory, mobile SoC (system on chip), image sensors, and automotive LEDs (light-emitting diodes). It has obtained 'Carbon Footprint Certification' from environmental certification specialists Carbon Trust and UL. For six memory products, it also acquired Carbon Trust's 'Carbon Reduction Certification.'

Samsung Electronics Hwaseong Campus. [Photo by Samsung Electronics]

Going forward, Samsung Electronics plans to operate the LCA system for all products manufactured at semiconductor production and packaging lines in Korea, the United States, and China. Furthermore, it plans to expand the environmental impact assessment system to include not only carbon emissions but also water and resources, creating a comprehensive management system.

Song Dugun, Vice President and Head of Samsung Electronics' EHS (Environment, Health & Safety) Center, said, "Since 2019, Samsung Electronics has strengthened carbon emission reduction activities focusing on major memory and system semiconductor products. Based on the LCA system, we will enhance transparency in disclosing semiconductor-related environmental information and actively contribute to our customers achieving carbon neutrality."

Lee Jangseop, CEO of DNV Business Assurance Korea, said, "Congratulations to Samsung Electronics for establishing a reliable LCA system. As experts in energy and environment, DNV will be a partner for global leading companies in creating a sustainable environment."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.