Accounts for 80% of Global Coolant Supply
3M’s semiconductor coolant plant in Belgium has been closed indefinitely under tightened local environmental regulations. The plant accounts for 80 percent of the global total semiconductor coolant output.
The measure was taken on March 8 and 3M sent an official notice to its clients on March 18. The clients include Samsung Electronics, SK Hynix, TSMC and Intel. The coolant is essential for semiconductor etching.
According to industry sources, the clients can withstand for one to three months with their inventories. Unless the situation is solved within that period, the global manufacturing sector is likely to face a huge impact.
The Belgian government’s regulations are related to the emission of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), which are waterproof and resistant to heat, oil and water. Those are widely used in cosmetics and dental floss and may cause hormone disruption after accumulation in the body. These days, both the United States and the European Union are tightening their regulations in order to minimize the emission.