With the explosive growth of generative AI and cloud computing, semiconductor manufacturing capacity has become a critical national security asset. However, behind this advanced industry lies a hidden challenge: vast amounts of water.
In September 2026, ground was finally broken on the industrial water pipeline project, a key infrastructure component for the Yongin Semiconductor Cluster. The plan is to initially supply 310,000 tons per day in Phase 1, eventually building up to a total water infrastructure capacity of 1,072,000 tons. Combining Yongin with new industrial complexes in the Honam region, the government announced a plan to supply a total of 2.15 million tons of industrial water daily, mobilizing not only dam water but also 'reclaimed wastewater'.
Given the routine nature of droughts caused by climate change and competition with local communities for water resources, relying solely on external water supplies can pose a fatal operational risk to enterprises. In the semiconductor industry today, maximizing in-process wastewater reuse and optimizing water treatment goes beyond simple ESG management; it has become a cornerstone of 'Environmental Security' that determines corporate survival.
At the heart of this shift is 'water.' Water is essential across every step of semiconductor manufacturing, from wafer cleaning to chemical dilution and rinsing. Because Korea's semiconductor fabs are among the most water- and energy-intensive industrial facilities in the country, water management practices are coming under closer scrutiny.
A Battle of Nanometers: Ultrapure Water (UPW) Quality Determines Yield
Processes like wafer cleaning and etching require Ultrapure Water (UPW), where impurities are reduced near to zero, rather than ordinary water. As semiconductor circuit line widths shrink to single-digit nanometers (nm), water quality management standards have reached extreme levels.
Even a single 0.05 μm particle or Total Organic Carbon (TOC) at parts-per-billion (ppb) levels can cause critical yield defects in semiconductors. Therefore, technological capabilities to consistently maintain electrical resistivity above 18.2 MΩ·cm and completely eliminate organic and inorganic impurities are essential.
Operational Excellence as an Environmental Security Strategy: Establishing Water Circulation Loops
By establishing a 'water circulation loop' through process water reuse and optimized facility operations, fabs can proactively address water scarcity rather than reacting passively. As environmental security emerges as a key board-level priority for semiconductor manufacturers, pairing proven technology with consistent field execution is critical to transforming water management into long-term resilience.
To meet the rigorous demands of the semiconductor industry, Veolia provides closed-loop resource recovery solutions ranging from raw water intake to UPW production, process wastewater treatment, and reuse.
Beyond operations, here are 5 practical technical solutions fabs can adopt to strengthen water security across their entire manufacturing process:
1. Designing for 'Water Circularity', Not Just Treatment
Closing internal water loops reduces demand for freshwater resources and builds operational stability, particularly in water-stressed regions.
Electrodialysis Reversal (EDR) technology selectively removes salts to minimize chemical use while enabling high-purity water reuse. A fab in Singapore used Veolia's EDR to achieve over 70% recovery from high-silica scrubber wastewater without chemical addition. Furthermore, chemical-free Continuous Electrodeionization (CEDI) combined with RO/UF membranes enables 24/7 continuous UPW production without chemical downtime.
Chemical-free Continuous Electrodeionization (CEDI) technology enables 24/7/365 uninterrupted UPW production by combining with high-performance membranes (RO/UF), dramatically reducing maintenance downtime.
2. Unlocking Resource Recovery Opportunities in Wastewater
Solvents like Isopropyl Alcohol (IPA) are recovered and reused rather than disposed of. Veolia's MPPE (Macroporous Polymer Extraction) system uses waste heat (steam) in the fab to extract trace contaminants without chemicals. Implemented at a Taiwan fab, this system re-supplies over 100 m³/h of water to cooling towers while enabling solvent resale.
3. Scalable Wastewater Concentration Supporting Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) Goals
Efficient wastewater concentration is central to achieving ZLD. Veolia's EVALED thermal evaporators offer a compact, modular solution that lowers energy consumption and waste volume simultaneously. At a fab in Malaysia, treating 3 m³/day of complex waste cut costs while reducing over 80 kg of CO2 emissions per m³ of treated water.
4. High-Performance Membrane Technology for Reliable Wastewater Reuse (ZW 1500)
Recycling semiconductor process wastewater back into production requires flawless membrane filtration. A South Korean semiconductor manufacturer adopted Veolia's ZeeWeed (ZW) 1500 pressurized ultrafiltration membranes, reliably producing high-quality treated water under high operating pressures and challenging water conditions to maximize reuse rates.
5. AI-Based Water Quality Monitoring (Hubgrade)
Veolia's digital environmental platform, 'Hubgrade', detects trace water quality variations and TOC levels in real time at the ppb level for predictive control. This prevents water quality incidents before they occur and optimizes process energy, delivering smart water management.
Veolia’s Proven Track Record with Leading Global and Korean Semiconductor Companies
Veolia’s advanced technologies are trusted and proven at leading semiconductor fabs around the world.
[Domestic Case Study] SK hynix, Icheon & Cheongju Sites, South Korea
Securing Stable Water Supply and Achieving 40% Wastewater Reuse
Veolia has integrated operations and management across 20+ industrial water and wastewater treatment facilities for SK hynix—South Korea's top semiconductor manufacturer—at its Icheon, Cheongju, and Gumi sites. While supplying ultra-pure water essential for chip fabrication, Veolia introduced innovative technologies to successfully reuse over 40% of generated wastewater on-site. Surpassing strict Korean government discharge standards, this initiative significantly reduced OPEX and mitigated environmental risks for the client.
[Overseas Case Study] STMicroelectronics, Singapore
Rapid UPW Infrastructure Integration Without Production Interruption
For global semiconductor manufacturer STMicroelectronics' 12-inch wafer fab expansion, Veolia achieved water quality certification in just 4 months post-contract. Crucially, Veolia integrated a new 160 m³/h UPW system without interrupting ongoing fab operations, delivering stringent water quality (TOC < 1 ppb, resistivity 18.2 MΩ·cm) around the clock.
Facing exponentially growing water demand, world-class semiconductor leadership is defined not only by securing clean water supplies, but by how completely wastewater can be recycled and reused. Semiconductor manufacturers are now urged to adopt circular water models that support long-term operational resilience beyond basic regulatory compliance.
This transition reflects the broader industry goals to depollute, decarbonize, and regenerate. These form the three main pillars of Veolia's 'GreenUp' strategic program, putting into practice Veolia's commitment to 'ecological transformation' that aligns economic activity with environmental protection. In this context, water security is inextricably linked to operational resilience, and smart water management stands as one of the most direct avenues for fabs to strengthen both.
Minimize water risks and build robust environmental security tailored to your operations with Veolia's proven ultrapure water technologies and wastewater reuse solutions.
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