On May 9th, at its annual Responsible Care & Sustainability Conference, the American Chemistry Council (ACC) honored EFC Gases & Advanced Materials with a 2024 Sustainability Leadership Award, which recognizes exemplary products, technologies, and initiatives that advance sustainability.
EFC Gases & Advanced Materials received the award in the “Environmental Protection” category for its innovative Neon Gas Recycling System, which tackles a key environmental issue in semiconductor manufacturing. Neon is essential for deep-ultraviolet (DUV) lithography and plays a critical role in laser light production. However, the supply of neon has proven to be highly vulnerable to global shortages, and its cryogenic distillation from liquid air is energy-intensive with a large carbon footprint. EFC’s system addresses the sustainability challenges by providing a solution that captures and recycles spent neon gas that is typically vented, thereby ensuring a stable neon supply, reducing carbon dioxide emissions through the offset of neon production, and minimizing resource waste. By recycling neon, fabs have the potential to reduce over one million metric tons of associated carbon dioxide emissions per facility over the next two decades. Such a reduction aligns with the semiconductor industry’s goal of achieving more sustainable manufacturing processes.
Chris Jahn, President & CEO of ACC, praised the initiative, stating, “EFC’s dedication to developing sustainable technologies and solutions not only enhances its own operations, but can also demonstrate a meaningful example for the industry to follow. ACC is delighted to acknowledge EFC Gases and Advanced Materials for its sustainability achievements, which are sure to inspire others in the field.”
The ACC’s Sustainability Leadership Awards honor member companies for their achievements and contributions to sustainability across four priority areas: Product Safety, Innovation & Transparency; Environmental Protection; Circularity; and Social Responsibility & Community Engagement. A judging panel comprised of external sustainability leaders from academia, nonprofit, and media sectors reviewed and selected the award winners, based on innovation, impact scope, and alignment with ACC’s Sustainability Principles and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Pavel A. Perlov, President and CEO of EFC, reflected on the award, “Receiving the ACC’s Sustainability Leadership Award is a profound honor. It reflects the persistent efforts and creativity of our entire team. Our Neon Gas Recycling System is a prime example of our commitment to environmental stewardship and operational efficiency and showcases our dedication to finding solutions that safeguard our planet.”
