Glossary

A wafer is a thin slice of Semiconductor material, such as a Silicon crystal, used in the fabrication of integrated circuit and other microdevices.

A Wafer Fabrication Plant prepares slices (‘wafers’) of pure, defect-free materials for use in semiconductor manufacturing. A Semiconductor Fabrication Plant (also known as a semifab or just fab) uses specialized machinery to etch and layer material on a wafer to create integrated circuits – usually tens or hundreds of integrated circuits per wafer.

A Warehouse Management System (WMS) is application software which optimises storage and retrieval (usually called ‘picking’) of goods in a warehouse. A WMS must comply with carrier and customer documentation standards.

The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive (WEEE Directive) is an EU directive which set targets for reuse and recycling. The related Restrictions on Hazardous Substances (RoHS) directive limited the materials allowed in new electronic equipment. WEEE requires manufacturers to register with national authorities, report on amounts sold, and organize or finance collection and recycling. Consumers, local authorities and waste processors must handle WEEE products in a separate hazardous waste stream.