Grundfos Launches Whitepaper on Reducing Energy Emissions in Semiconductor Manufacturing

Energy-efficient water systems emerge as a key lever to cut emissions in the energy-intensive industry.

Grundfos, one of the global leaders in advanced pump solutions and water technologies, announced the launch of its new whitepaper, “Smart Pumps, Green Tomorrow”, developed in collaboration with management consultancy Arthur D. Little. The report aims to support the semiconductor industry in accelerating its sustainability journey by outlining practical pathways to improve energy efficiency in manufacturing operations and demonstrating how smart, energy-efficient water system technologies can help unlock substantial energy savings, reduce costs and strengthen long-term sustainability performance.

This will be critical as the global semiconductor industry enters a transformative decade of growth. Global semiconductor sales are projected to exceed USD1 trillion by 2030, with a forecasted CAGR of ~8% between 2025 and 2030. In line with this growing demand, fab operators – which are concentrated in Asia – are expected to increase equipment spending at a CAGR of 7% from 2024 to 2028, reaching an estimated USD143 billion.

As production expands and manufacturers transition to more advanced chip technologies, energy demand will increase rapidly due to the greater complexity of fabrication processes. This growth places added pressure on the industry to operate sustainably by managing its rising electricity use and associated Scope 2 emissions.

We are proud to launch this whitepaper at a pivotal moment for the industry. With our expertise in sustainable water pump solutions, this report highlights how smarter water systems can provide practical solutions to improve energy efficiency while reducing Scope 2 emissions. At Grundfos, we are committed to helping the industry balance growth with sustainability through solutions that enable meaningful, immediate impact.

Nestor Bernad Folia, Semiconductor Business Development Manager, Grundfos

The study evaluates the combined energy use of five leading semiconductor companies – TSMC, Samsung Electronics (Device Solutions), Intel Corporation, SK Hynix and Micron Technology – providing critical insights into one of the world’s most energy-intensive industries. These case studies illustrate how real-world improvements in industrial water systems can drive measurable reductions in energy use, motivating wider adoption across the sector.

Key highlights from the whitepaper:
Strong sector growth: The semiconductor industry is on a strong growth trajectory, driven by surging demand from artificial intelligence (AI), cloud computing, Internet of Things (IoT), 5G infrastructure, electric vehicles (EVs) and other high-growth applications. This expansion underscores a pivotal shift toward next-generation chip performance. However, the industry’s increasing output comes with a steep rise in energy usage – posing both an environmental and operational challenge.

Sustainability challenges: As chip designs become increasingly advanced, manufacturing them will require more power, which further drives up electricity demand. Newer production technologies, essential for the latest generation of chips, add to this pressure – making energy efficiency a growing challenge for manufacturers worldwide. This escalating energy demand directly impacts Scope 2 emissions, underscoring the urgent need for innovative solutions to accelerate reduction efforts.

Optimising Scope 2 reduction: The whitepaper outlines two key strategies semiconductor operators can adopt to lower their environmental footprint: reducing emissions factors and cutting overall energy consumption. While emissions factors often depend on external conditions, energy consumption can be directly reduced through measures within operators’ control, including equipment upgrades, process improvements, and operational policies. Among these levers, optimising water systems represents one of the most immediate and impactful opportunities to deliver measurable savings.

Energy-efficient water systems as a key enabler: Unlike many process tools, water systems are typically owned and operated in-house, giving operators the ability to make swift, independent improvements. While significant efforts have been directed toward improving the energy efficiency of process tools, water systems remain an untapped resource for meaningful energy reduction – positioning them as a vital enabler in semiconductor sustainability strategies.

Our analysis shows that the semiconductor industry faces a growing challenge in balancing rapid production growth with sustainability goals. This whitepaper highlights practical, data-driven ways that manufacturers can reduce energy consumption and Scope 2 emissions, particularly through optimising water systems. We are pleased to partner with Grundfos to provide insights that can help the industry make meaningful progress toward more efficient and sustainable operations.

Daniel Chow, Principal, Arthur D. Little

On 11 November 2025, Grundfos will host the Semiconductor Sustainability Summit in Penang, the heart of Malaysia’s semiconductor industry. The event will bring together industry leaders and experts to discuss how the sector can advance sustainability by optimising both energy and water efficiency in semiconductor manufacturing. Beyond energy savings, the Summit will also highlight the importance of water conservation and circular water management – reflecting Grundfos’ belief that true sustainability can only be achieved by simultaneously addressing both resources.

The full whitepaper can be downloaded here.

About Grundfos
Grundfos pioneers solutions to the world’s water and climate challenges and improves the quality of life for people. As a leading global pump and water solutions company, we promise to respect, protect, and advance the flow of water by providing energy and water efficient solutions and systems for a wide range of applications for water utilities, industries and buildings. 

For more information, please visit: Grundfos.com

About Arthur D. Little
Arthur D. Little has been at the forefront of innovation since 1886. It is an acknowledged thought leader in linking strategy, innovation and transformation in technology-intensive and converging industries. ADL navigates its clients through changing business ecosystems to uncover new growth opportunities. It enables its clients to build innovation capabilities and transform their organisations.

ADL consultants have strong practical industry experience combined with excellent knowledge of key trends and dynamics. ADL is present in the most important business centres around the world. It is proud to serve most of the Fortune 1000 companies, in addition to other leading firms and public sector organisations.