The Art of Tree Hugging - Semiconductor Style
It has been 1.5 years since I walked away from full-time employment in semiconductor manufacturing. Friends have asked me: what have you been up to in the past year with your consulting practice since separating from one of the largest semiconductor manufacturers in the world? Initially, I needed to learn the basics of the business of consulting, and I appreciate the amazing mentorship and friendship from Norm Weiss, Mark Wilhelm, Breanna O’Connell and Stephen Malmros.
In the longer term, however, I have enjoyed working as a client’s representative for several semiconductor manufacturing facilities in the design and build phases across the United States. I have conducted environmental audits, mentored companies environmental professionals, and brought my expertise to designing waste reclaim and re-use systems with some of the most impactful technologies I have seen in decades.
I believe these new technologies will change the world of chemical reclamation for re-use and should be explored more by the existing fabrication plants. (More on that in a future article – The Evolving Paths of Waste in Semiconductor Manufacturing – an alchemist’s dream of turning waste into revenue).
Sharing the knowledge I have gained (and continue to gain) over my 25 years in this industry is what I have found most fulfilling. Thus, I am thrilled to also be serving as a subject matter expert on circularity (both waste and water) for SEMI, the global trade association for the semiconductor value chain. As such manage working groups for SEMI members to jointly investigate and share fab strategies for both greenfield and brownfield solutions to waste recycling and re-use (or more formality, circularity).
Utilizing SEMI’s broad industry reach and communication platforms, I have been able to share strategies and provide a foundation for massive changes in the industry. The multiplier effect is tremendous, and I have great hopes of influencing $100’s of millions of dollars in revenue and redirecting waste streams to revenue sources through online education, in-person networking and written materials.
For example, I recently presented the working group findings - and more - to the SEMI Fab Owners Alliance (FOA) annual meeting in Austin - where more than 150 fab managers gathered to share strategies and hear case studies of improvements. If each of the 80 fabs represented in the room upcycled their output of an estimated 1500 tons of waste per year, year, ~60 million dollars would be saved.
Another example of multiplying the impact of my experience is the series of online training courses I created for environmental and circularity professionals. Learn more at https://www.semi.org/en/semi-university
1. Circularity Strategies and Waste Regulations
Most companies want to move from the linear economy of take, make, waste to the circular economy of remake, recycle, renew. This course provides an overview and some specifics on the challenges and regulations around upcycling spent materials, including opportunities for revenue and lowering liability.2. Operational Compliance Strategies for Hazardous Waste Disposal
How to maintain compliance for the hazardous waste program. This course primarily covers sites in the United States.3. Managing Environmental Compliance During Construction
This course provides an overview of the environmental regulations and compliance obligations for construction in the United States. It is designed for environmental professionals.
Invest in your talent! These courses are a great place to start when bringing on new staff and executives. The information gained in a few hours will replace months or even years of the on-the-job training so many of us in environmental engineering rely upon.
I would be happy to answer any questions or advise on next steps for your organization. Invest in your talent by offering training, mentoring, workshops, seminars, or master classes in environmental compliance and circularity.
This part of my consulting work is truly rewarding. Having served as an adjunct professor for Arizona State University and collaborated with other institutions to develop courses focused on waste management and the circular economy - I truly believe we can design manufacturing processes and waste treatments that have less impact on the earth, leave more trees for us to hug, and even provide a revenue steams.
Contact me at taimurburki@subgenillc.com for more information!