HEMLOCK, Mich. — Hemlock Semiconductor (HSC), the nation’s leading manufacturer of hyper-pure polysilicon used in the electronic and solar energy industries, today released its second Sustainability Report. The report notes the progress HSC has made since its inaugural 2020 report and highlights the company’s role in the nation’s clean energy economy by supplying the hyper-pure polysilicon needed for semiconductors and solar panels.
HSC’s 2022 Sustainability Report reviews HSC’s performance in 2020 and 2021 in key sustainability areas, including environmental and social impact, governance and innovation.
“At HSC, we say ‘sustainability is personal’ because we each have a responsibility to help limit climate change and create a more sustainable, inclusive and equitable society,” said HSC Chairman and CEO AB Ghosh. “I’m excited by the progress our company is making in its drive toward improving our planet and the communities in the Great Lakes Bay Region. As the world around us changes, we take pride in the fact that the products we make are changing the world for the better.”
The report notes that HSC’s hyper-pure polysilicon powers solar technologies that promise to deliver greener, more affordable energy, reducing dependence on fossil fuels and helping mitigate the causes of climate change. HSC’s polysilicon facilitates the production of ultra low-carbon solar panels, allowing solar developers and owners to reduce embodied carbon by up to 50 percent.
In addition, HSC’s research and development team continues to work at the cutting edge of data analytics, machine learning and materials science to enhance the purity of HSC’s polysilicon, enabling the production of ever-smaller semiconductors that will drive the innovations of the future, from medical technologies to autonomous vehicles. The polysilicon HSC produces is up to 99.999999999% pure, the equivalent of one grain of sand in 16 Olympic-sized swimming pools.
The 44-page 2022 Sustainability Report notes that during 2020 and 2021, HSC:
- Established a set of voluntary commitments which include reducing its Scope 1 and Scope 2 carbon emissions by 30 percent by 2028.
- Created a Sustainability Steering Team and conducted a materiality assessment.
- Collaborated with the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s Council on Climate Solutions to produce the MI Healthy Climate Plan. EGLE has designated HSC as a Clean Corporate Citizen.
- Partnered with suppliers who are centered on the environmental, social and ethical standards in its Supplier Code of Conduct, as well as engaged with the Clean Energy Buyers Institute and the World Economic Forum’s Centre for Advanced Manufacturing that’s coming to Michigan.
- Donated nearly $1 million annually to worthwhile organizations and projects through its Corporate Citizenship program and supported employees who volunteered thousands of hours in the Great Lakes Bay Region.
- Created a new role for a Diversity and Community Liaison and committed to continue building a work culture that exemplifies diversity, equity and inclusion.
“We have come a long way in understanding the scope of sustainability and how important it is to focus on progress relative to our most material issues,” said HSC Sustainability Leader Steven Holty. “There’s always more to do, but we’re working hard to reduce our Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions and to engage each of our more than 1,300 employees and contractors in our efforts to make HSC more sustainable.”
More information about HSC’s continued sustainability efforts can be found on its website.
About Hemlock Semiconductor
Hemlock Semiconductor Operations (HSC) is a leading provider of hyper-pure polycrystalline silicon and other silicon-based products used in the manufacture of semiconductor devices, solar cells and modules. At HSC, we’re passionate about silicon-based technology and its unique potential to connect and energize the world we share. HSC’s polysilicon enables customers to produce high-tech electronics and solar energy, and our efficient manufacturing process delivers products with an ultra-low-carbon footprint. HSC began operations in 1961 and is owned by Corning Incorporated and Shin-Etsu Handotai.
More information can be found at: hscpoly.com | @hscpoly | LinkedIn | Facebook | YouTube