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Today, green is the buzz word in every industry, and how can IT be an
exception! As the concern over climate change is looming large, the green
sensibility assumes greater significance too.
When it comes to the IT industry, lower power consumption and heat emission,
products free from hazardous chemical materials, decomposition or recycling of
IT components, and hardware are some of the key challenges and concerns.
The steps initiated by silicon innovator Intel are highly relevant from the
green point of view.
Right from product designing, its packaging and power needs, chemical free
component manufacturing, and finally its recyclingat all levels, Intel has made
strong efforts to become a socially responsible and environment-friendly tech
company.
According to R Ravichandran, Intels director, sales, South Asia, the company
applies technology innovation to reduce any adverse environmental impact of its
products, while maintaining the highest processor performance levels.
We continue to dramatically increase the energy efficiency of our products,
incorporate more environmentally sensitive materials into our design processes,
and address e-waste/end-of-life product concerns, says Ravichandran.
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| In the past decade, Intel has
reduced the lead usage by 95% across all product lines and 100% in selected
and regulated products
R Ravichandran
director, sales, South Asia, Intel |
He points to the five pillars of foundation that form the core in the
companys product design process, which includes product packaging, energy
efficient performance, lead and halogen (the halogen group comprises fluorine,
chlorine, bromine, iodine, and astatine), free products, restriction of
hazardous substances (RoHS) compliance, and data center efficiency.
In 2007, Intel launched the protective packaging for multiple product lines,
which intends to shrink the paper size and plastic materials with new designs.
The new designs, with lesser packaging materials will improve shipping density
with low fuel consumption, which results in controlling emissions per unit
shipped.
The company moved from 65 nm to 45 nm transistor size that raised the
performance and efficiency of the processors. Intels 45 nm processors are
produced using a lead-free process and use Hi-k silicon technology for reduced
transistor leakage, enabling more energy-efficient, high-performance processors.
It results in sleeker, smaller, and more energy-efficient desktops, notebook
PCs, mobile devices, and server designs.
For environment sustainability, Ravichandran says, Intel has worked with
suppliers and other companies in the semiconductor and electronics industry to
develop lead-free materials and processes. In the past decade, Intel has reduced
the lead usage by 95% across all product lines and 100% in selected and
regulated products.
To replace the remaining 5% lead solder in processor packages, Intel is using
a tin /silver/copper alloy and new assembly manufacturing processes developed by
its engineers, he adds.
The company in 2008 began converting to halogen-free packaging technology for
central processing unit (CPU) and chipset products.
In 2008, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recognized Intel as the
largest green power purchaser in the US. With all these environment-friendly
initiatives, Intel succeeded in lowering operational energy consumption by 20%
product unit in the last three years, recycled or reused 87% of its chemical
waste and 80% of its solid waste in 2007.
With all efforts and investments in the past ten years, Intel saved about 3
bn gallons of water and reduced total water usage by 2% in 2007, says
Ravichandran.
Pankaj Maru/CMN
maildqindia@cybermedia.co.in
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