One-third (32%) of global semiconductor production could be at risk within a decade unless industry adapts to climate change, according to a PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) report.

Copper’s superior ability to conduct electricity makes it a critical material in a wide range of industries, including telecommunications, energy and electric vehicle production.

It also plays a critical role in the semiconductor industry, which is tipped to hit $1tn by 2030, primarily as a conductor of electricity within chips.

With the semiconductor industry ramping up production at unprecedented speeds, the need for copper is equally growing at an unprecedented rate.

The challenge is that supply is not keeping up with demand. The current copper mine project pipeline points to a 30% supply deficit by 2035.

This, as the PwC report finds, is compounded by climate change. Chile, where most copper mines are located, faces severe drought risk in the coming years because of climate change. A steady supply of water is...

  • The original PwC report can be viewed at the following URL:-

    pwc.com/gx/en/issues/esg/pwc-semi-con-report.pdf

    The only example of the weight of copper used in a consumer product was for an internal combustion engine medium size car at 19 "kilograms".

    I could not find within this report, any assumption as to the amount of copper actually used in a "state of the art" semiconductor packaged chip.

    Based on my past work related experience I would place it in the "milligram" range.

     Does any IET member have this information?

    Older Members may also remember the last major world wide copper shortage that happened about 1970. During this earlier shortage the big problem was the lack of copper wire for new houses.

    In fact my current home constructed at that time, used Aluminium wire in place of Copper for the lighting circuits.

    Switches and plugs were designed for dual  CU/AL use.

    Peter Brooks

    Palm Bay FL