Shamoushaki, Moein, Travers-Nabialek, Josie, Gillgrass, Sara-Jayne, Smowton, Peter M.  ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9105-4842 and Lenny Koh, S.C.
2026.
Toxicity and energy intensity impacts in the supply chain sustainability of InGaN and InGaP semiconductor technologies.
Energy Conversion and Management: X
31
, 102049.
10.1016/j.ecmx.2026.102049
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Abstract
This study presents an ex-ante, geospatially explicit life cycle sustainability assessment of two emerging compound semiconductor technologies, InGaN and InGaP micro-LEDs, across their full supply chains. A total of 80 scenarios (40 per technology) were modelled for 2024, 2030, 2040, and 2050, incorporating geographically distributed fabrication, testing, and use phases and accounting for future energy mix decarbonisation aligned with net-zero targets. Midpoint impacts were assessed for 12 key categories, including toxicity, resource use, and climate-related emissions, while endpoint results focused on human health, ecosystem, and resource impacts. Results indicate that electricity-intensive cleanroom operations initially dominate global warming and marine ecotoxicity impacts; however, under low-carbon electricity pathways, these Scope 2–related contributions decline substantially by mid-century (up to ∼ 95%). Consequently, the dominant environmental burden shifts toward Scope 1 impacts from material- and chemical-intensive stages, particularly substrate preparation and epitaxial growth. Toxicity-related impacts remain strongly driven by emissions from chemical precursors and process chemicals in carbon-intensive supply chains, although low-carbon energy pathways reduce overall toxicity by up to ∼ 60%. InGaP epitaxial growth contributes a large share of remaining climate and ecotoxicity impacts, whereas InGaN exhibits a more balanced distribution across fabrication phases. Resource depletion impacts also decline markedly (approximately 40–65%), reflecting reduced fossil energy use and lower embodied resource intensity. This integrated framework highlights the interplay of energy sourcing, material use, and chemical management in semiconductor supply chains, providing scenario-specific insights to guide policymakers and industry toward sustainable, low-impact technology deployment.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Date Type: | Publication |
| Status: | Published |
| Schools: | Schools > Physics and Astronomy |
| Publisher: | Elsevier |
| ISSN: | 2590-1745 |
| Date of First Compliant Deposit: | 17 June 2026 |
| Date of Acceptance: | 5 June 2026 |
| Last Modified: | 04 Aug 2026 21:38 |
| URI: | https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/187609 |
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