semiconductor manufacturing

Xiamen Customs intercepted a shipment of calcium fluoride sludge, disguised as industrial material, at Dongdu Port. The substance, a semiconductor manufacturing byproduct, is classified as prohibited foreign waste under Chinese law. Importing foreign waste is illegal, and the shipment will be returned with a fine imposed. Criminal charges may follow. The sludge poses environmental risks like soil and water contamination and health hazards including fluoride toxicity and potential heavy metal exposure, impacting ecosystems and human health.

Infineon Technologies has successfully developed scalable Gallium Nitride (GaN) production on 12-inch wafers, a significant advancement over the current 200mm standard. This technology offers higher power density and efficiency, promising broader applications. The company will begin delivering samples in Q4 2025. Notably, TSMC is exiting the GaN wafer foundry market, leaving Infineon as a key player.