M+W Zander: Cost savings and less energy consumption for the future fab

Exhibition stand and presentation at Semicon Europa in Stuttgart

M+W Zander FE GmbH is presenting a profile at the Semicon Europa in Stuttgart from October 9 to 11, 2007 as the leading provider for design and construction of semiconductor and photovoltaic fabs in Europe. A focus at exhibition stand No. 2502 in Hall 3 is ongoing reduction of manufacturing costs for solar cells. M+W Zander FE Managing Director Robert Gattereder is giving a presentation on the ‘Challenges for future fab facility concepts’ in photovoltaics (PV) in the Semicon Conference Program. Energy savings and modernization of semiconductor fabs in Europe are other important topics.

The slides for the English presentation can be called up by clicking on the following link: presentation

The presentation by Robert Gattereder will be given at the Exhibition Conference Center (ICS) on Thursday, October 11, 2007. Gattereder will describe the different facilities savings options for future PV fabs. Studies carried out by M+W Zander indicate that savings in the double-digit millions (euros) can be achieved in a PV fab with around one gigawatt annual capacity simply by recycling process chemicals and ultrapure water.

In the energy sector, Gattereder is expecting improved design of fabs to generate savings of up to five percent. They can be achieved primarily by reducing pressure losses and optimum use of cooling water. According to Gattereder, the potential for savings could even increase to as much as 30 percent, if the manufacturers used the energy centers proven from the semiconductor and energy sector. Plants like this use advanced trigeneration, save energy costs and reduce CO² emissions.  

Gattereder sees further potential for savings by optimized site master plans for future manufacturing facilities. He continued saying that for a fab of more than 500 megawatt annual capacity the ratio between facility and manufacturing area could be increased with about 15 percent area savings compared to actual benchmarks. The concept envisages a central building for utility systems (for example for gases, water, energy) which could deliver these supplies to a dual-module cell manufacturing. This would reduce the need for redundant utilities modules and would ultimately result in further reductions of manufacturing costs.

Modernization of semiconductor factories throughout Europe
Apart from design and construction of complete new fabs, M+W Zander also acts a general contractor in carrying out modernization of existing fabs, their modification or expansion. This enables customers to expand their capacities while also reducing their manufacturing costs. The company undertakes conversion to create modern fabs alongside ongoing manufacturing operations.

The service spectrum includes the hook-up of machinery assets to utility systems of the fab. In addition, construction or expansion of energy centers is also effective at semiconductor sites. They provide a stable energy supply and deliver savings on cost and CO² using advance trigeneration.

Global know-how accessible
When realizing projects, the plant constructor can draw on the know-how of experts in the globally operating M+W Zander Group. Electronic platforms provide access to this expertise round the clock. M+W Zander was and is involved in the planning and construction of semiconductor and PV fabs in Europe, as well as Asia and America.

About M+W Zander (www.mw-zander.com):
With its subsidiary companies, MWZ Beteiligungs GmbH, offers worldwide integrated business solutions for company facilities, high-tech production plants and industrial complexes. Production focuses on clean room technology for the electronic, solar, pharmaceutical, and chemical industries and also research institutes. Facility management forms an additional focus. In 2006, M+W Zander generated sales of about 1.76 billion euros with around 7200 employees.

M+W Zander FE GmbH is a company in the globally acting M+W Zander Group operating in Europe and the Mediterranean area. The range of services comprises planning and construction of high-tech plants for customers from semiconductor and flat-screen production, the photovoltaic industry and the energy sector.

Stuttgart (Germany), October 9, 2007