Taiwan Fertilizer partners with TSMC on chemical waste recycling
台肥公司與台積電合作進行化學廢料回收項目
| TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan Fertilizer Co. has partnered with TSMC to transform sulfuric acid from the chipmaker’s advanced manufacturing in Taichung into ammonium sulfate, which can be used to make fertilizer, CNA reported.
Sulfuric acid is a key chemical used in wafer cleaning and removing light-sensitive coatings. According to the Circular Taiwan Network, Taiwan’s semiconductor sector generates more than 300,000 tonnes of sulfuric acid waste annually, accounting for over 50% of liquid chemical waste. Taiwan Fertilizer said it will set up chemical waste recycling equipment at TSMC’s Taichung facility. It will use a high-purity process to turn semiconductor manufacturing waste into reusable materials, with operations expected to start next year. The company said it has transformed from a traditional fertilizer producer into a supplier of chemical recycling technology for the tech sector. It has also offered chemicals used in semiconductor cleaning and etching processes, such as ammonia water. Taiwan Fertilizer has also developed new liquid fertilizers that are more environmentally friendly. Compared with solid fertilizers, the new products improve crop nutrient uptake and reduce environmental impacts. To reduce equipment corrosion and reactor lining damage, TSMC has developed a new catalyst and introduced corrosion-resistant equipment in its sulfuric acid recycling system. In 2024, TSMC installed the system at its Fab 15 in Taichung and completed one year of testing. The company said the new catalyst cuts steel corrosion by 98% and reduces chemical reaction time by more than 80%. TSMC has also worked with its partners to improve filter cleaning technology, increasing the recovery of waste liquids from advanced manufacturing. The technology saves 431 filters and reduces waste liquid discharge by 2,580 tonnes annually, the company added. |
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| Carol Yang Taiwan News, Staff Writer | |
| 2026-04-29 |
