Sustainable Development, an essential pillar of Soitec's strategy

Given its strategic position in the advanced technology value chain, Soitec plays a critical role in defining a sustainable path for the industry. In addition to a #SustainableByDesign approach for our products, our teams are committed to a low-carbon production trajectory and an inclusive and open working environment.

We design products whose energy efficiency helps to reduce the carbon footprint of technology

For over 30 years, our unique expertise has enabled electronic devices to combine performance with energy efficiency. Our SmartCut™ technology has revolutionized the engineered substrate industry, increasing efficiency by optimizing the use of material in each chip, providing a tangible solution to reduce material and energy consumption in all the solutions we equip.

This level of performance extends significantly along the value chain. SmartSiC™ enables electric vehicles to achieve ranges above 500km, compared with an average 350km for vehicles using silicon IGBT alternatives – while also reducing CO2 emissions during wafer manufacturing by 70% compared to monocrystalline SiC substrates.

With the inauguration of our new production facility dedicated to SmartSiC™ substrates for future generations of electric vehicles in September 2023, we will be able to produce 500,000 substrates per year at full capacity, enough to power 6 to 8 million electric vehicles.

“In 2022, the use of our products prevented the equivalent to the annual domestic energy consumption of a city of 1.2 million people.”

By penetrating diverse and growing markets, we are able to aggregate energy savings to reduce the carbon footprint in technology solutions. In 2022, the use of our products prevented a total of 1,464 ktCO2 eq. of emissions and resulted in energy savings of 2,644 GWh across smart devices, automotive, smartphones, and data centers. This is equivalent to the residential energy consumption of a city with 1.2 million people!

We are constantly improving the way we make our products

Given the urgency of climate change, we can’t only bet for end-products to reduce their environmental impact. That's why we're committed to making a significant contribution to the fight against global warming, starting with the way we make our products.

That’s why we decided to set Soitec on an ambitious path to a 25.2% reduction in our Scopes 1 and 2 emissions between 2020 and 2026, with the objective of becoming a "very low carbon" industry by 2030 thanks to a 37% decrease in direct emissions compared to 2020.

As part of this effort, we've improved the energy efficiency of our industrial facilities through various initiatives. In addition, all the electricity used at our Bernin site is sourced from local hydroelectric plants, while our Singapore facility is on track to achieve its target of 50% low-carbon energy consumption this year.

A prime example of our rapid progress towards more innovative and sustainable industrial practices is the recent implementation of a water reuse system at our Bernin plant in France. This system, the first of its kind in Europe at this scale, enables water to be reused in our industrial processes. With this groundbreaking innovation, we expect to increase our wastewater reuse rate from 19% in 2023 to over 35% in 2024 in Bernin.

Water is a scarce and precious resource. That’s why our objectives are clear:  50% reduction in water withdrawals between 2020 and 2030 and 30% of water recycled in fiscal year 2029-2030.

Building on our corporate culture to be a responsible and inclusive leader

“We prioritize and promote diversity by cultivating a safe space for all.”

Our progress and innovation are all driven by what I consider to be our most valuable asset: our people. They are the key to our performance and the success of our ESG strategy. Soitec is committed to fostering this culture by continuously attracting and developing talent, promoting diversity and inclusion, and striving to be a role model in both our community and industry.

In 2023, our workforce was comprised 35.3% women, with 36.4% women representation on the Executive Committee, bringing us closer to our 2030 goal of achieving 40% women representation at all levels.

Leveraging this diversity and spirit, we are collectively committed to serving the communities around us. Soitec has established a time-off scheme for employees who wish to volunteer with Sésame, a foundation that provides financial, material, or human support to those in need.

Our Sustainable Development Report is evidence of the progress we have made, with the support of our Board of Directors, which now includes an ESG Committee to steer our strategy. We want to go further, because I believe our success depends on setting an example within our industry and for society and the planet.