Semiconductor Industry Waste Valorization for Recovery of Gallium

This white paper discusses the critical intersection of energy and water resilience, focusing on advancing water reuse and reclamation technologies to address water scarcity, particularly in the semiconductor manufacturing industry. The paper emphasizes the importance of recovering gallium (Ga), a vital mineral used in next-generation energy technologies, from wastewater streams generated during semiconductor processing.

The U.S. currently imports a large portion of its Ga, making domestic recovery essential for energy security and sustainability. Yet, Ga is typically present in wastewater produced by manufacturing semiconductors. Recovery of Ga is often not done because existing wastewater treatment technologies are inefficient and expensive.

The white paper suggests utilizing advanced nanofiltration membranes as a near-term solution for recovering Ga from semiconductor wastewater. This technology can concentrate Ga ions while allowing for water reuse, effectively transforming wastewater from a liability into a valuable resource.

Success will be measured by the technological contributions to sustainable manufacturing, including: (1) reducing freshwater consumption in the semiconductor industry, (2) mitigating wastewater and securing domestic supply chains for critical materials, (3) demonstrating an energy-efficient membrane platform capable of recovering Ga while enabling water reuse from wastewater, and (4) achieving Ga recovery from dilute waste streams at an energy input of less than 3 kWh per cubic meter.