Former President Tsai Ing-wen recently visited Europe and made a special stop at GlobalWafers’ Danish subsidiary, Topsil GlobalWafers A/S (Topsil), to gain firsthand insights into its achievements in green transition and semiconductor material innovation. During the visit, Topsil shared its practical experience in areas such as the adoption of renewable energy, automation in manufacturing processes, and circular water resource management, demonstrating the tangible results of its sustainable manufacturing efforts. The visit also reflected the shared vision between Taiwan and Denmark in technological innovation and net-zero transformation. This trip not only strengthened bilateral collaboration opportunities in the energy and semiconductor sectors but also played a significant role in enhancing GlobalWafers’ international engagement and advancing its global sustainability strategy.
Topsil has taken the lead in fulfilling the GlobalWafers Group’s RE100 commitment by officially commissioning its self-built solar power plant in 2025. This marks the world’s first semiconductor crystal growth facility powered entirely by on-site, self-generated renewable energy. The solar plant not only meets Topsil’s entire electricity demand but also contributes surplus green power back to Denmark’s energy grid, supporting the country’s transition to a higher share of renewables. Thanks to its solid operations and innovative achievements in green transformation, Topsil was honored with the Green Gazelle Award by the Danish business daily Børsen at the end of 2024. The award recognized its outstanding growth and contributions to the development of advanced semiconductor materials, as well as its success in expanding capacity while reducing its carbon footprint.
Topsil has also demonstrated exceptional performance in energy conservation, carbon reduction, and ecological integration. Around the facility, ground-mounted solar panels form a “solar farm” that coexists with approximately 6,000 locally cultivated plants. This setup effectively mitigates the heat island effect and enhances biodiversity. In addition, a high-efficiency wastewater recycling system has been implemented, increasing the recovery rate of process cooling water from 80% to 98%, significantly reducing water intensity and reliance on natural water sources. On the process side, continuous improvements have led to a 16% reduction in CO₂ emissions per kilogram of silicon material. Topsil’s Float Zone (FZ) wafers serve as key materials for applications such as high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission, electric vehicles, grid infrastructure, and quantum technologies. Its low-carbon manufacturing processes not only enhance energy efficiency but also contribute meaningfully to the global energy transition and the advancement of next-generation technologies.
In March 2025, GlobalWafers successfully secured DKK 60 million (approximately NT$270 million) in green loan to support the construction of Topsil’s solar power plant. This milestone reflects strong recognition from international capital markets for GlobalWafers’ sustainability strategy. In addition, GlobalWafers actively leverages the green energy capabilities of its parent company, Sino-American Silicon Products Inc. (SAS), as a green energy total solution provider. Through SAS’s green energy development subsidiary, Sustainable Energy Solution Co, Ltd., GlobalWafers facilitates green power procurement, including Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) and Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs), to accelerate the deployment of renewable electricity and low-carbon transformation across its global sites. Guided by the principle of “Responsible Growth,” GlobalWafers continues to make steady progress toward its goal of 100% renewable energy use, striving to create sustainable value for the semiconductor industry while achieving economic success.
GlobalWafers Chairperson Doris Hsu remarked that although Taiwan and Denmark are geographically distant, they share common values in technological innovation and sustainable development. Chairperson Hsu emphasized that Denmark’s pioneering position in renewable energy, combined with Taiwan’s expertise in the semiconductor industry, exemplifies the complementary strengths of both countries. Through the green energy milestones achieved by Topsil, Taiwan and Denmark are jointly building a bridge that connects vision with action, working together to drive the world toward a more sustainable future.
