Energy- and resource-saving semiconductor eco-packages
Resin (encapsulation resin) is used to manufacture chip packages during the packaging phase of semiconductor production. Packaging material can be saved and mounting area reduced by encapsulating several semiconductor chips in resin at once instead of encapsulating and mounting them separately. Akita Elpida Memory employs resource-saving technology for small, thin, multichip packages to develop and manufacture highly functional products with less energy and fewer materials than conventional methods. The company is helping improve the environment for customers and society as a whole by expanding production of resource-saving products and improving production efficiency.
Improving emissions per unit of production volume
Akita Elpida Memory is reducing CO2 emissions per product produced (production volume units: g-CO2/chip) by improving the plant's production efficiency, upgrading air conditioning facilities, increasing production volume, improving bit integration, and other measures. The company was able to reduce emissions per unit production during FY2008 by 37% compared to FY2006 levels thanks to increased production of highly integrated products.
Rate of improvement in CO2 emissions per unit of production volume
Expanded production of MCP
Akita Elpida Memory is striving to conserve resources by prioritizing the production of chip-stacked packaging such as MCP. The use of MCP designs reduces resin consumption per chip by up to 66% compared to single-chip packaging.
The stacking rate (number of chips produced divided by the number of packages produced) for FY2008 was 120%, a year-onyear improvement of 13%. We will continue to work to expand production of MCP in FY2009.
Promoting use of waste as a valuable resource
Akita Elpida Memory is working to promote the use of industrial and general waste as a valuable resource. Additionally, we're transitioning from thermal to materials recycling for some waste products, increasing resource recycling and reducing the cost of waste disposal.
During FY2008, we began recovering metal scrap from equipment, paper such as cardboard and newspaper, and waste plastic such as sheeting, tape, and cases for use as valuable resources. As a result, valuable resource recovery increased to 55 t during FY2008, up from 20 t in FY2007.
We will continue to promote the use of waste as a valuable resource.
Comparison of valuable resource generation
Environmental preservation initiatives
There are two marshy areas next to Akita Elpida Memory's plant. Marsh water flows into these areas from the neighboring satoyama area, and a variety of mountain grasses grow there. Marsh liliees bloom in the spring, and migratory birds can be seen resting their wings there during the fall and winter.
We're involved in activities to clean up the area around our plant in order to ensure that this natural beauty can be passed on intact to future generations. During 2008, we picked up garbage that had drifted ashore along the edge of the marsh. Going forward, we will continue environmental activities such as environmental patrols and beautification and clean-up programs to protect the area's natural beauty.