Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) plays a vital role in semiconductor manufacturing—from cleaning and etching to surface preparation. But once it enters rinse or waste baths, it becomes more of an obstacle than an asset. Peroxide destabilizes acid streams, accelerates unwanted reactions, and prevents reuse or safe storage, forcing fabs to haul off high-strength, high-cost acid as hazardous waste.
This is where ElectraMet’s ARRO™ program steps in.
Asset Recovery for Reuse or Offtake (ARRO) enables fabs to reclaim valuable acids like sulfuric and hydrochloric by removing the oxidants and metals that block reuse. Peroxide abatement isn’t the end goal. It’s the gatekeeper to circularity.
⚠️ The Problem with Residual Peroxide
Peroxide is highly reactive. In production baths, it enables precision cleaning. But in spent solutions, it doesn’t fade away. It continues reacting, with metals, organics, and bath constituents, creating heat, gas, pH swings, and instability.
These residuals turn otherwise recoverable acids into reactive, non-reusable waste.
- In sulfuric acid, residual peroxide shortens bath life and increases instability, especially with metals present.
- In hydrochloric acid, it can evolve chlorine gas, triggering safety risks.
- With ammonia, peroxide leads to oxidized byproducts that complicate downstream treatment.
Unless peroxide is removed, none of these streams can be reused or safely handled.
🔑 Why Peroxide Control Enables Reuse
ElectraMet abates peroxide in-line and without chemicals, enabling stable acid recovery. That’s why ARRO is a platform, not a product.
- Step 1: Peroxide is destroyed electrochemically, no dosing, no resin swaps, no sludge
- Step 2: The reclaimed acid is stable, reusable, and ready for either internal use or offtake via partners like DSR
💸 Quantifying the Value
Removing peroxide and metals doesn’t just eliminate a hazard, it creates an economic opportunity. Fabs implementing ARRO have seen:
- $2–$8 per gallon in cost avoidance by reusing sulfuric or hydrochloric acid
- 50–90% reduction in wastewater hauling volume
- Thousands saved monthly in chemical purchasing and waste logistics
- Longer bath life, less change-out frequency, and reduced production downtime
🔁 Circularity Starts Here
Peroxide and metal removal are preconditions for reclassification. Without them, reuse isn’t just unsafe—it’s often non-compliant. By integrating peroxide abatement and metal recovery, ElectraMet transforms high-strength waste into clean, recoverable input.
This enables fabs to:
- Reuse or resell acid streams
- Reduce demand for virgin chemicals
- Shrink Scope 3 emissions tied to hauling and manufacturing
- Align with SEMI and industry ESG benchmarks for circular operations
⚙️ ElectraMet + ARRO: The Integrated Advantage
ElectraMet’s platform has powered peroxide and metal removal since 2019. Our solutions are:
- Automated and in-line for continuous fab operation
- Low-maintenance and chemical-free
- Backed by data with real-time peroxide analytics
- Built for recovery, not just compliance
ARRO deployments begin with peroxide abatement, but they don’t end there. We design around your waste stream to enable full asset recovery, internal reuse, or contracted offtake.
📩 Want to See What Your Stream Could Unlock?
Let’s evaluate it. If it contains acid, peroxide, or dissolved metals, there’s value waiting to be recovered.