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Short abstract

This paper thinks with residues of semiconductor production. It focuses on 'green' chip design in Silicon Saxony, where Germany is defending its digital sovereignty. Conceptually, it explores the concept of 'responsible electronics' asking how greener materials relocate accountability for residues.

Long abstract

“Semiconductors are often referred to as the oil of the 21st century, […] the raw material on which almost everything else depends,” explained the then German Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz in May 2023 celebrating the construction of an Infineon Smart Power Fab in Dresden, the centre of ‘Silicon Saxony’. [1]

Like oil, semiconductors produce residues. The electronic industry is extremely resource-intensive and pollutes the planet with greenhouse gas emissions and toxic by-products from raw material extraction and chip production. Aware of these environmental impacts, EU governments, science and industry are pushing research and development towards more sustainable 'responsible electronics' (cf. RE2 at TU Dresden).

Taking the concept of 'responsible electronics' as a starting point, this paper explores how scientists in Silicon Saxony think with residues to change the material basis of semiconductor chip production. With an empirical focus on 'green and sustainable design' in the form of new thin films and material platforms, I will conceptually discuss how "green design" (Kokai et al. 2021) might redistribute responsibilities in research and innovation (cf. Owen et al. 2021), "relocate accountability" along the electronics production chain (Suchman 2002) and reorganise "organised irresponsibility" (Beck, 1988). In conclusion, I will speculate with residues on potential blind spots of 'responsible electronics'. For example, will we still care about the residues of the ‘future past’? If green design succeeded, who will be held accountable for the permanently polluted worlds (Liboiron et al. 2018) that 'irresponsible' electronic production has left behind?

[1] https://www.bundesregierung.de/breg-de/service/archiv-bundesregierung/halbleiter-deutschland-2187370, accessed 2026-03-09, my translation.