Semiconductor fabrication plants are among the most water-intensive operations in the world, requiring ultra-high purity water (UPW) to support advanced nodes and critical process steps. As demand for AI chips continues to increase, greater focus is placed on water security across the global high-tech industry. Traditionally, improving chip yield has been associated with increased water use, while the need for ultrapure water throughout the fabrication process makes water management a complex and integral part of fab operations.
A comprehensive water circularity strategy from Ecolab looks at your entire operation and considers the interdependencies between processes to help you increase production yield while maximizing water efficiency. With advanced solutions for ultrapure water, strategic water management, non-process water and effluent reclamation and compliance, we offer the engineering expertise to help you improve water and energy efficiency, chip quality and yield in your fabs.
More AI Chips, Less Water
Systematic Management for Improved Water Usage in the Dairy Industry
Transform your business outcomes with a tailored water circularity strategy from Ecolab.
Optimize water and energy efficiency while protecting chip yield and integrity with a strategy that delivers value across your fabrication plant.
Optimize water and energy efficiency while protecting chip yield and integrity with a strategy that delivers value across your fabrication plant.
Modular Water Circularity Programs Covering Critical Water Stages
A comprehensive and integrated approach to water operations.
Water Strategy
Water Strategy
Expertise in water planning and custom-engineered solutions focus on improving yield performance, reducing resource intensity and supporting scalable, compliant fab operations.
Ultrapure Water Ecosystem
Ultrapure Water Ecosystem
Water production, conditioning and quality assurance solutions support consistent UPW quality, helping protect yield, reduce contamination risk and enable scalable, site-optimized system performance.
Effluent Quality, Reuse and Compliance
Effluent Quality, Reuse and Compliance
Monitoring and treatment solutions support predictable regulatory compliance, improved reuse and discharge control and stable effluent performance across fab operations.
Digital Intelligence Platform
Digital Intelligence Platform
Digital-first solutions provide real-time visibility, support early risk detection and enable data-driven performance optimization and faster, more informed decision making.
Non-Process Water Performance
Non-Process Water Performance
Thermal and utility optimization programs support reliable system performance, helping reduce energy, water and operating costs while minimizing asset and operational risk.
Water Management and Reclamation
Water Management and Reclamation
Advanced segregation and treatment solutions support increased recycling and water security, reduced freshwater dependency and optimized overall operational cost and footprint.
Optimizing Water Interdependencies Throughout a Fab
A: Water, B: UPW Plant, C: Effluent Treatment Plant, D: Discharge
E: Reuse Water Tank, F: Process Reclaim Plant, G: Non Process Users
Semiconductor Fabs Face Many Challenges
Partner with a company that understands and meets those challenges.
Water Security and Reliability
An advanced ecosystem of ultrapure water solutions helps ensure strict quality standards are consistently met in every area of the plant.
Yield Protection and Process Stability
Maintain operations and protect yield with advanced monitoring and management systems that proactively identify risks and mitigate potential issues.
Risk Management
A water circularity strategy considers the downstream impacts on effluence and discharge at every production step, helping avoid issues before costly water treatment solutions are required.
Sustainability Targets
Sustainability targets do not need to hurt your bottom line—in fact, a water circularity strategy can identify value opportunities and efficiencies while helping you reach your sustainability goals.
Rapid Expansion at Scale
Our modular approach helps tailor our water circularity strategy to the needs of each individual site, making sure that every implementation is effective, necessary and delivers measurable results.
Transforming Business Results with Water Circularity
What value does a water circularity strategy provide for my business?
Water is critical to semiconductor manufacturing operations. A water circularity strategy can help you close the loop on your water use, from pretreatment to reclamation and discharge, resulting in measurable value in business outcomes, operational performance and environmental impact.
Proven Results in High-value Areas:
Business Outcomes
Business Outcomes
• Reduced total operational costs
• Consistent flavor
Operational Performance
Operational Performance
• Maximized line uptime
• Improved heat transfer
• Reliable equipment performance
Environmental Impact
Environmental Impact
• Reduced water use intensity
• Enhanced effluent reuse
• Improved compliance
Our Strategic Approach to Water Management Help Earn Value
See how we’ve helped our partners achieve their business, financial and sustainability goals.
Read Case Studies
Semiconductor Industry Partners Save Combined USD $720 Million Per Year with Closed-Loop Program
Semiconductor Industry Partners Save Combined USD $720 Million Per Year with Closed-Loop Program
A semiconductor manufacturer needed to resolve significant microbiological build-up and corrosion failures in their process equipment. Ecolab helped implement a comprehensive water treatment solution that helped the semiconductor producer increase mean time between failures by 1,200% and achieve annual savings of $720 million.
Semiconductor Fab Saves Water, Cost and Environmental Impact via Improved Visibility into Process Cooling Water (PCW) Operation
Semiconductor Fab Saves Water, Cost and Environmental Impact via Improved Visibility into Process Cooling Water (PCW) Operation
A U.S. semiconductor fab improved process cooling water (PCW) management by adding 3D TRASAR™ technology to detect leaks and control chemistry. The solution provided visibility into water losses, enabling rapid leak identification and repair. As a result, the fab saved 10.9 million gallons of water annually, reduced chemical discharge by 64%, lowered costs by over $674,000 per year and improved system reliability.
NXP Semiconductor saves 7.2 million gallons of water per year with 3D TRASAR™ Technology for Cooling Water
NXP Semiconductor saves 7.2 million gallons of water per year with 3D TRASAR™ Technology for Cooling Water
NXP Semiconductor reduced water use and discharge at its Austin fab with 3D TRASAR™ for Cooling Water Technology, enabling safe use of reclaimed water despite variable quality. The project cut municipal water consumption by 7.2 million gallons annually and reduced discharge by 8.5 million gallons, lowering costs while supporting sustainability goals and maintaining reliable utility performance.
Read Articles
Ecolab Acquires Ovivo’s Electronics Ultra-Pure Water Business
Ecolab Acquires Ovivo’s Electronics Ultra-Pure Water Business
Ecolab has acquired Ovivo’s Electronics ultra-pure water business for about $1.8 billion, strengthening its position in the semiconductor sector. The deal combines Ovivo’s advanced ultra-pure water technologies with Ecolab’s digital tools and services to improve chip production, quality and water efficiency. The acquisition supports circular water use in fabs and reduces freshwater demand, accelerating Ecolab's growth in high-tech markets.
Ecolab and CDP Partner on New Benchmarks to Help Companies Improve Operational Water Performance
Ecolab and CDP Partner on New Benchmarks to Help Companies Improve Operational Water Performance
The Water Use Efficiency Index is a new benchmarking tool designed to help companies measure and improve their operational water performance. The initiative provides clear, sector-specific benchmarks that define best‑in‑class water use and enable companies to compare performance against peers. Turn sustainability data into actionable insights to help accelerate water circularity and improve competitiveness.
Ecolab Unleashes Water Intelligence to Drive Growth in the AI Era
Ecolab Unleashes Water Intelligence to Drive Growth in the AI Era
Ecolab® Water Navigator IQ™ is an AI‑enabled platform designed to help companies better manage water as demand rises in the AI‑driven economy. The platform provides an enterprise‑wide view of water performance by combining site-level data with predictive analytics. This allows semiconductor manufacturers to benchmark usage, identify risks early and prioritize improvements across facilities.
Featured Innovations:
Ultrapure Water Treatment Systems
Ultrapure Water Treatment Systems
Our ultrapure water treatment systems are designed based on advanced technical capability, decades of applications development, and continuous innovation on an extensive range of products. We strive to design, construct and commission the most effective, reliable ultrapure water systems for the microelectronics industry.
3D TRASAR™ Technology: Advanced Water Management System
3D TRASAR™ Technology: Advanced Water Management System
3D TRASAR technology brings together smart technology, Connected Chemistry™ capabilities, deep industry expertise, and actionable insights. As a connected ecosystem, 3D TRASAR supports more efficient water use, improved system performance and better control of operating costs.
Ecolab® Water Quality IQ™
Ecolab® Water Quality IQ™
Ecolab Water Quality IQ is a treatment program that defines optimal water quality and continuously measures system performance. By pairing real‑time performance visibility with predictive insights, you can detect water quality issues sooner than alarm‑based monitoring alone.
Water Management Experts for Nearly a Century
Ecolab has been providing innovative water solutions and expertise for our industrial partners since 1928. Our water management experts help increase the sustainability of operations and, as a result, our partners see exponential return on investment with improvements to efficiency, productivity and water resiliency.
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Thank you for your interest in our Ecolab Water Circularity program. Please complete this form to learn more about how this program can help you reach your water and business goals.
