Fujitsu packs chips with biodegradable tape

Japanese giant Fujitsu will fully convert to using carrier tape, a material instrumental in the manufacturing of semiconductors, made from a biodegradable material derived from plants. By using this material, rather than polystyrene, Fujitsu expects to reduce carbon dioxide emissions in its operations by 11 percent.

Overall, this will help Japan meet carbon dioxide emissions standards from the Kyoto Protocol that go into effect Feb. 16. Fujitsu has used a biodegradable tape in cell phone chips to protect them from electrostatic discharge since 2000.