Waste

In integrated production, we minimize waste by feeding by-products back into the production loop. Furthermore, WACKER endeavors to avoid waste throughout the product’s entire life cycle.

In 2008, WACKER developed a method for recycling pyrogenic silica at its Nünchritz site. Previously, the silica accumulated as dust at the residue incinerator and was landfilled. Thanks to the new method, some 1,000 metric tons can be recycled annually and used as a building material additive.

Siltronic promotes fully reusable packaging. Today, some 20% of Burghausen’s and Singapore’s 300 mm wafers are shipped in reusable containers. This is to increase to 30% by the end of 2010. Silicon wafers of other sizes still have to be shipped in disposable packaging. Here, we have replaced the protective inner packaging layer of foamed plastic with cardboard.

WACKER is also reducing our packaging material by converting from smaller to larger containers. Short distances to service providers and avoidance of empty space in the containers help to minimize waste. We are also implementing similar programs at sites in Japan and the USA.

The integration of sites acquired from Air Products resulted in a significant groupwide increase in waste in 2008.