Intel pushes the boundaries for eco-friendly technology

This will start with the entire family of 45 nanometer (nm) high-k metal gate (Hi-k) processors which includes the next-generation Intel® Core™ 2 Duo, Core 2 Quad and Xeon® processors. By 2008 the company will also transition its 65nm chipset products to 100 percent lead-free technology.

“Intel is taking an aggressive stance toward environmental sustainability, from the elimination of lead and a focus on greater energy efficiency of our products to fewer air emissions and more water and materials recycling,” said Samir Al-Schamma, Intel’s General Manager for the GCC.

Lead is used in a variety of micro-electronic “packages” and the “bumps” that attach an Intel chip to the packages. Packages wrap around the chip and ultimately connect it to the motherboard. Different types of packages are used for processors targeted at specific market segments, including mobile, desktop and server.

In Intel’s bid to become more environmentally friendly the 45nm processors will not simply be lead-free, but will also make use of the company’s Hi-k silicon technology for reduced transistor leakage, enabling more energy-efficient, high-performance processors. Ultimately, Intel’s 45nm Hi-k family of processors will enable sleeker, smaller and more energy-efficient desktop, notebook PC, mobile internet device and server designs.

The Road to Lead-Free

Lead has traditionally been used in electronics because of its electrical and mechanical properties. Finding a replacement material that meets the performance and reliability requirements has been a significant scientific and technical challenge.

Due to lead’s potential impact to the environment and public health, Intel has worked for years with its suppliers and other companies to develop lead-free solutions as part of its long-standing commitment to environmental practices. In 2002, Intel produced its first lead-free flash memory products. In 2004, the company began shipping products with 95 percent less lead than previous microprocessor and chipset packages.

To replace the remaining 5 percent (about .02 grams) Intel will use a tin/silver/copper alloy. It is the way in which Intel will implement these new materials to replace the tin/lead solder that is the “secret sauce” of the company’s solution. Because of the complex interconnect structure of Intel’s advanced silicon technologies, a great deal of engineering work was required to remove the remaining lead in Intel’s processor packages and integrate a new solder alloy system.

Environmental Sustainability -- From Transistors to Factories

Intel’s commitment to the environment began with its founder Gordon Moore. In addition to eliminating the use of lead in its products, Intel has developed a number of environmental best-practices in its factories and operations. It is also designing and building energy efficiency into everything it does, from the smallest 45nm transistors in its forthcoming lead-free processors and today’s high-performance Intel Core 2 Duo processors that consume up to 40 percent less energy to broad support for industry standards and strong public policies.

Fast Facts on Intel’s environmental initiatives:

• 2007: Intel transitioned its Intel® StrataFlash® Cellular Memory packages to halogen-free technology. The company is currently evaluating the use of halogen-free flame retardants in its CPU package technologies.
• In 1996, Intel led an industry-wide agreement to reduce global warming gas emissions in semiconductor manufacturing, and today is working with the European Union (EU) to discuss how the technology sector can help meet the EU’s target of cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 20 percent by 2020.
• Intel is focused on reducing the natural resource use and waste by products of its manufacturing process. In the past 3 years, Intel has saved more than 9 billion gallons of fresh water through conservation measures, and reduced its global warming gas emissions by the equivalent of removing 50,000 automobiles from the road.
• Intel has reduced hazardous materials in its products and recycles more than 70 percent of its chemical and solid wastes.
• Intel makes renewable energy a priority. The company is the single-largest purchaser of wind power in Oregon and the largest industrial consumer of renewable energy in New Mexico.
• Through Intel’s ongoing conversion from 200mm to 300mm wafers, it has been able to reduce water consumption by approximately 40 percent for each square centimeter of silicon produced.
• Intel has been recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for its work on Energy Star* and employee commuter programs.