Texas Instruments (TI) announced its new semiconductor wafer fabrication plant in Richardson, Texas, called RFAB2, achieved Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification under version 4 (v4).
According to the company, this designation makes RFAB2 the first wafer fab in the United States and the fourth in the world to achieve this more stringent certification from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) for the sustainable design, construction, and operation of high-performance green buildings.
Brian Dunlap, TI’s vice president of 300-mm wafer fab manufacturing operations, said, “We are proud that RFAB2 has achieved LEED Gold v4 certification, underscoring TI’s long-standing commitment to operate in a socially thoughtful and environmentally responsible manner.”
RFAB2, which is TI’s fourth LEED-certified manufacturing plant, started production in September 2022 and was designed to reduce water and electricity usage. In fact, the new fab’s design, construction, and operation are expected to achieve significant efficiencies, including saving 750 million gallons of potable water and almost 80,000 megawatt-hours of energy annually. The company said the factory was also constructed using responsibly sourced materials and was designed and built in a way that fosters a healthy work environment.
“What makes this LEED Gold designation impressive is that Texas Instruments achieved this high standard developed for office buildings in a semiconductor manufacturing plant,” said Jill Kurtz, director of building sciences at Page, who consulted TI in the certification process. “By prioritizing sustainability and transparency, TI is delivering real impact in water and energy savings, leading the way in their industry and helping USGBC continue toward its goal of green buildings for everyone within this generation.”
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