According to BusinessKorea, the 3M Belgian semiconductor coolant plant was forced to suspend work indefinitely due to the tightening of local environmental protection regulations. The plant accounts for 80% of the global semiconductor coolant production. Following the shortage of inert gas caused by the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, now semiconductor raw materials Supply is in trouble once more.
The Belgian government is tightening restrictions on the use of polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and on March 8 ordered a shutdown of 3M’s local plant. Subsequently, on March 18, 3M issued an official notice of supply stoppage to its customers. Semiconductor coolant customers include Samsung Electronics, SK Hynix, TSMC (2330-TW) (TSM-US) and Intel (INTC-US)。
Coolants are critical to semiconductor etching, and industry sources said these fabs can withstand one to three months of inventory, but if future supply issues are not resolved, global wafer manufacturing is likely to face a huge impact.
PFAS is chemically stable, waterproof, oil-resistant, and heat-resistant. It is widely used in cosmetics and dental floss. However, there may be potential risks of accumulation of such substances in the human body. The Stockholm Convention lists PFAS as a persistent organic pollutant, and the European Union also Restrict the use of this compound and monitor it regularly. In recent years, European and American countries are strengthening control and actively reducing the amount.
The supply of semiconductor raw materials is facing many challenges. The conflict between Russia and Ukraine has caused the production of Cryoin and Ingas, the two largest inert gas plants in Ukraine, to be blocked, accounting for regarding 45-54% of the world’s output. The price of inert gas has also soared, exacerbating the global chip shortage crisis.
