STMicroelectronics, a global leader in semiconductor solutions, is rising to this challenge with an ambitious and actionable sustainability roadmap. In this exclusive interview, Edoardo Auteri, Head of Sustainability Programs, Sales & Marketing Asia Pacific Region excluding China from ST shares insights into their bold commitments—ranging from carbon neutrality and circular economy initiatives to responsible sourcing, employee well-being, and the deployment of sustainable technologies across high-impact sectors like electric mobility and renewable energy. Here’s how ST is shaping a cleaner, smarter, and more sustainable future.
Could you share a brief overview of STMicroelectronics’ commitment to environmental sustainability?
STMicroelectronics is committed to mitigating its environmental impact, to be carbon neutral each year from 2027. This commitment encompasses reducing direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions, investing in energy efficiency, and sourcing 100% renewable energy by 2027. Additionally, we focus on optimizing water management, striving for zero hazardous waste in landfills, and promoting a circular economy through waste reduction, reuse, and recycling.
STMicroelectronics talks about sustainability being integral to its operations. Could you highlight some concrete commitments or goals that reflect this?
Certainly. Sustainability is not just a pillar of our strategy—it’s embedded in our corporate DNA. A few of our most impactful commitments include:
- Carbon Neutrality by 2027 for Scope 1 and 2 emissions, and select Scope 3 emissions (product transport, employee commuting, business travel).
- 100% Renewable Electricity across global operations by 2027.
- 60% Water recycling target by 2035, with 54% already achieved in 2024.
- 95% Waste Recovery and Recycling, with a current performance of 97% waste diverted from disposal.
- 98% Halogen-Free Product Portfolio by 2035, as part of safer chemical use.
- 20% Scope 3 Upstream Emissions Reduction by 2035, compared to 2024 levels.
These aren’t just goals—they are backed by structured programs, third-party certifications, and transparent annual reporting.
How does STMicroelectronics integrate sustainability into its product development?
Sustainability is integral to our product development process. Our Sustainable Technology program, initiated in 2011, ensures that environmental and social considerations are embedded at every stage of a product’s lifecycle—from raw material sourcing and eco-design to manufacturing, usage, and end-of-life management. This comprehensive approach allows us to create innovative products that contribute positively to society while minimizing environmental impact.
How does STMicroelectronics ensure the responsible sourcing of materials?
We are committed to responsible mineral sourcing and have a policy statement on conflict minerals. Our responsibility begins with sourcing raw materials in compliance with the latest environmental and social guidelines. We apply due diligence approaches, including risk assessments and audit programs, to ensure our supply chain adheres to these standards.
These insights reflect STMicroelectronics’ dedication to sustainability across various facets of its operations, emphasizing environmental responsibility, employee well-being, and ethical business practices.
What specific actions have you taken toward environmental protection?
Some recent highlights include:
- Replacing plastic packaging for STM32 boards with 100% recycled cardboard, reducing plastic consumption by 15 tons per year.
- Installing water-saving systems that are projected to save 6 million cubic meters by 2035.
- Achieving 84% renewable electricity adoption in 2024, per CSRD regulations. This progress is supported by Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) with providers like TotalEnergies in France, Centrica Energy in Italy, and ENGIE in Malaysia.
Our environmental roadmap is aligned with the 1.5°C climate scenario verified by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi)
What is ST doing to promote employee well-being and human rights?
We maintain a strong people-first culture:
- All manufacturing sites are ISO 45001 certified for occupational health and safety.
- We’ve had zero tolerance for forced labor since inception and are fully aligned with the Responsible Business Alliance (RBA) Code of Conduct.
- We launched a global well-being program in 2022 and conduct annual employee engagement surveys.
- We promote diversity and inclusion across the workforce, with structured policies supporting gender equity, career growth, and employee representation.
What are some key opportunities in India where sustainable technology can make a significant impact?
India presents tremendous opportunities for sustainable technology, especially in three critical areas:
- Growing Electricity Demand – With rapid urbanization and digitalization, India’s power consumption is surging. Sustainable technologies can help meet this demand efficiently while minimizing environmental impact.
- Renewable Capacity Growth – As India accelerates its shift toward solar and wind energy, there is a need for advanced power electronics, grid solutions, and energy-efficient components to support this expansion.
- Electric Vehicle (EV) Proliferation – India’s EV market is booming. STMicroelectronics provides key technologies like MOSFETs, diodes, gate drivers, and microcontrollers that enable more efficient, reliable, and eco-friendly electric mobility solutions.
These areas align perfectly with ST’s mission to enable a sustainable future through technology.
How do ST’s technologies contribute to broader sustainability outcomes?
Our technologies enable sustainable applications across multiple industries:
- Electric Mobility: Products like MOSFETs, diodes, and isolated gate drivers support the EV ecosystem.
- Renewable Energy: IGBTs, analog ICs, and microcontrollers enhance solar and wind power systems.
- Health & Wellness: Low-power MEMS sensors and microcontrollers enable smarter, greener devices.
- Our STM32U3 microcontroller, for example, delivers 7x longer battery life and 4x smaller device size, leading to significantly reduced energy consumption.
We also provide eco-design tools and lifecycle carbon footprint data to help our customers build greener products.
