Water & Wastewater Asia January/February 2022

FOCUS
CLEANTECH WATER
TREATMENT SOLUTIONS
enabling sustainability in Asia
and its semiconductor industry
The water-intensive semiconductor industry has been experiencing a surge
in demand for chips as nations and businesses accelerate their digitalisation
strategies. This, in turn, will require increased water recycling and even greater
quantities of ultra-pure water. Prakash Govindan, COO of Gradiant, elaborates
on the growing importance for the water-intensive semiconductor industry to
embrace sustainability in the supply chain.
Asia-Pacific plays a critical role in the
global supply chain as it hosts over
40% of the world’s manufacturing.
Given the importance of the
region, the effects of environmental
impacts are heightened – as are the
economic and social benefits that
can be recognised with the adoption
of sustainable practices. This is
compounded by the region’s rapid
industrialisation and large population
base, where responsible management
practices are even more essential to
balance economic growth and quality
of life.
In early 2021, the Singapore
government unveiled the Singapore
Green Plan 2030, aimed at moving the
city-state towards fulfilling its green
aspirations. An important aspect of
the Green Plan is the use of circular
economy models to maximise the
lifecycle of natural resources, allowing
them to be used many times over to
reduce the overall volume of waste
produced.
Key beneficiaries of circular
economy models are water-intensive
industries, which consume valuable
freshwater from an already waterstressed
regions. By 2025, half
of the world’s population will be
living in water-stressed areas.
Freshwater scarcity poses a major
threat to economic growth, water
security, and sustainability for our
future generations. The challenge of
providing adequate and safe drinking
water is further complicated by climate
change and the pressures of economic
development. These stresses drive the
need to make the most out of our limited
water supplies.
WATER AS A CRITICAL RESOURCE
The recovery and reuse of wastewater
with advanced treatment technologies
have become a growing trend to
achieve water sustainability. Essential
industries such as semiconductors,
pharmaceuticals, chemicals, and food
and beverage rank among the world’s
most water-intensive sectors. A large
semiconductor manufacturing facility
may require up to 5 million gallons of
municipal water per day, using water to
Figure 1: Overview of
the ZLD wastewater
treatment process
(Photo credit:
Gradiant)
40 WATER & WASTEWATER ASIA | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022