The TSMC (Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company) held the operational inauguration ceremony of its Zero-Waste Manufacturing Center in Taichung. Executive Vice President and Co-Chief Operating Officer, Yong-Pei Qin, emphasized that promoting a circular economy is not only a corporate responsibility for TSMC but also an opportunity to improve resource efficiency and achieve a win-win for both the company and the environment. This facility, developed jointly with TSMC’s partner companies, integrates waste reduction, environmental benefits, and risk management, aiming to convert waste resources into high-value industrial-grade or even electronic-grade raw materials, embodying the “Cradle-to-Cradle” model of the circular economy.
During its trial operations over the past year, the center’s regenerated products have reached 100% revenue standards and have been supplied to TSMC and other industries for reuse. In the future, the center is expected to reduce TSMC’s outsourced waste treatment by about 130,000 metric tons annually, covering over 85% of the waste generated in the Central Taiwan Science Park facilities. Environmental impact analysis shows that the center can reduce environmental costs by approximately NT$1.5 billion each year, including carbon reduction benefits of 40,000 metric tons. Additionally, it is the first facility in Taiwan to incorporate thin-film carbon capture technology, which captures carbon from waste heat before it is released, reducing greenhouse gas emissions.