Environment, Health and Safety Policy
Wafer Works has established operation and maintenance procedures for air pollution control, water pollution prevention, and waste management. Relevant departments strictly adhere to these procedures to ensure all facilities operate at maximum efficiency. Various monitoring systems are installed at the discharge points of pollution control facilities. If monitoring values exceed alarm thresholds, operators will follow emergency response and notification procedures to address the issue immediately. Each year, we carry out emergency response drills for air and water pollution control and enhance internal environmental awareness to prevent environmental pollution and legal violations. Under this comprehensive pollution control monitoring and management system, Wafer Works did not contravene any environmental regulations from 2022 to 2024.
Air Pollution Control
Wafer Works' strategy for air pollution control starts by optimizing processes to minimize the introduction of pollutants into exhaust gases. Subsequently, high-efficiency equipment is deployed to treat pollutants within the exhaust, guaranteeing compliance with government standards regarding the level of pollutants emitted into the atmosphere. Wafer Works classifies emissions into alkaline exhaust, acidic exhaust, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The air pollution control equipment varies based on the type of pollutants being treated, and all emissions comply with the regulations set by the Environmental Protection Administration. Wafer Works also prioritizes the rights of neighboring companies and community residents. All equipment operations are centrally monitored by staff on a 24-hour rotating schedule. Continuous monitoring devices are installed to track VOC emission
concentrations. Any variations in operating conditions are under constant monitoring, and if they deviate beyond the preset limits, an immediate alert is sent out.
Circular Economy and Waste Management
Wafer Works adheres to a circular economy reuse model. In 2024, the Company promoted waste reduction at the source and circular resource utilization through the implementation of ISO 59004:2024 circular economy guidance (focused on waste acid reuse). The optimization of the waste acid recovery system enabled the 2024 hydrofluoric acid (HF) recycling project, in which HF used in the surface treatment process (etching equipment) was recovered and reused in the forming process (acid-alkali etching machines), achieving both waste and carbon reduction benefits. In 2024, a total of 12,320 liters of HF was recycled, resulting in cost savings of approximately NT$2,052,407 (including chemicals, sludge treatment, and raw materials). The reduction in HF production emissions amounted to 48.541 tCO2e (based on a carbon footprint of 3.94 kgCO2e per liter of HF; source: Product Carbon Footprint Information Platform). ISO 59004:2024 certification for this program is expected to be obtained in 2025. (Picture 1)
Broken wafer recycling accounted for 34.91% of total production capacity, while recycled crystal ingot top and tail waste and crucible bottom material represented 14.03% of total input volume. In 2024, the Company continued to maintain performance in these operations, contributing to ongoing waste reduction and circular resource use.
Wafer Works has an established waste treatment and recycling mechanism. Waste is strictly categorized, and a dedicated team monitors the waste storage areas to oversee disposal practices. Regular waste-sorting awareness training is provided to all employees, from new hires to existing staff. By implementing comprehensive controls from the source to the point of disposal, the Company reduces carbon emissions associated with incineration. Aligned with circular economy principles that emphasize source reduction, Wafer Works has developed a cutting fluid recycling system for wafer slicing processes, which are carried out using two methods. The first method, steel wire slicing, utilizes a combination of cutting fluid and abrasive slurry. It relies on the tension of steel wires and the friction of abrasive particles to cut silicon ingots into wafers. The resulting waste is classified as non-hazardous oil sludge. Since the slurry retains its process suitability after initial use, centrifugal separation is employed to remove non-conforming particles. The recovered slurry is mixed with fresh material and returned to the production line. Discarded slurry is sent to qualified recyclers for conversion into silicon carbide ingots or powder, which can be reused in steel plants as heating agents or by refractory material manufacturers. Cutting fluid can also be distilled using its boiling point properties and repurposed as antifreeze in colder climates. (Figure 2) The second method, diamond wire slicing, requires only cooling fluid, thereby reducing both material use and waste generation. As the Company gradually phases out steel wire machines in favor of diamond wire machines, it is estimated that full replacement will save approximately 301.49 metric tons of cutting fluid and slurry and reduce non-hazardous oil sludge waste by 534.43 metric tons annually.
Reusable industrial waste includes sludge, oil sludge, chemical drums, quartz crucibles, graphite crucibles, blue protective films, pallets, and other materials recyclable waste materials such as paper, PET bottles, iron, aluminum cans, recyclable plastics, styrofoam, and metal scraps are sorted and collected, then handed over to certified local waste treatment companies. Non-recyclable waste is disposed of as general waste by certified waste removal vendors and transported to government designated incineration facilities.
Wafer Works produces several types of industrial waste: general industrial waste, hazardous industrial waste, empty chemical containers, and recyclable waste. All waste is stored and transported according to legal regulations.
The methods for disposing of industrial waste at Wafer Works are as follows: 87% recycling, 8% incineration, and 2% resource recovery. Please refer to the waste disposal method distribution chart for detailed information. Wafer Works focuses on reducing pollution and managing waste through recycling initiatives. The primary source of hazardous industrial waste is empty chemical containers that contain chemical materials during the manufacturing process. These containers undergo regular annual audits, and each waste shipment is tracked with manifests to collect and monitor related data. The 86% recycling rate includes both general and hazardous industrial waste. In 2023, Wafer Works managed hazardous industrial waste, including empty chemical barrels, through a partnership with recycling processors. The process involves cleaning, neutralization, testing, certification, shredding, and recycling the plastic, with approval from regulatory authorities.
