The recovery of critical raw materials in the semiconductor industry and its connection to climate impacts and raw material criticality

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🔬研究者:Provides a first combined assessment of CRM recovery's technological, environmental, and criticality dimensions in semiconductor manufacturing.

🏢実務担当者:Semiconductor firms can use the ceria recovery case to evaluate circular economy investments and reduce Scope 1/2 emissions from CMP processes.

🏛政策担当者:Highlights the need for policy support to scale CRM recovery technologies for both climate and resource security goals.

Abstract Non-technical Summary This study explores methods of recovering critical raw materials (CRMs) for recycling in the semiconductor industry. Sustainability reports of global semiconductor manufacturers are reviewed along with the literature regarding methods for recovering CRMs for recycling. Additionally, a case study is conducted to analyse potential impacts of material recovery on the carbon footprint and raw material criticality indicators. The results show that methods of recovering CRMs for recycling are not yet widely implemented in the industry, though they have potential to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and improve resilience in the supply chains of the semiconductor industry. Technical Summary Climate and environmental crises push the semiconductor industry to reduce its environmental impacts. Simultaneously, the industry aims to mitigate risks related to the supply of CRMs. The circular economy has the potential to address both issues by promoting material efficiency. This study applies a scoping review to assess CRM recovery methods, their industrial implementation, and alignment with the circularity goals of semiconductor manufacturers. The results show that CRM recovery is not yet common in the semiconductor industry, current recovery methods require further development, and explicit recovery targets are largely absent. Complementing the review, a case study evaluates membrane-based recycling of ceria from spent chemical-mechanical polishing (CMP) slurry, assessing its carbon footprint and raw material criticality. Ceria recovery indicates a potential reduction in CMP process-related GHG emissions by approximately 27% at 90% recovery efficiency. Moreover, improved recovery and recycling reduce all studied criticality indicators: supply risk, economic importance, and material criticality. To the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first to assess CRM recovery in semiconductor manufacturing, combining technological, environmental, and raw material criticality perspectives. Together, the findings highlight CRM recovery as a critical yet underutilized means for advancing circularity and reducing dependence on virgin materials in the semiconductor industry. Social Media Summary Recovery of CRMs in the semiconductor industry and its impacts on carbon footprint and raw material criticality.

• semanticscholar https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/441AD9E1819BB92636F6C6663641E139/S2059479826100738a.pdf/div-class-title-the-recovery-of-critical-raw-materials-in-the-semiconductor-industry-and-its-connection-to-climate-impacts-and-raw-materials-criticality-div.pdffirst seen 2026-07-19 05:32:53