Veeco Instruments Inc. (VECO)

Company website 2020 Financial Report Stock Analysis 2020 ESG Report

500

Million Tons

Veeco’s systems were used to make LEDs that helped avoid 500 million tons of CO2 by 2017

500

Patents

Veeco has ~500 patents as of August 2021

36.6^%

Increase

in net sales, 2016 - 2020

View Our Analysis

The Path to Drawdown: LEDs

Invented in 1994, Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) were designed as high-brightness, high-efficiency light bulbs. LEDs function like solar panels in reverse, converting electrons to photons instead of the other way around. For the same amount of light, LEDs use 90% less energy than incandescent bulbs, and half as much as compact fluorescents. LEDs turn 80% of their energy use into light while other lighting types convert energy into heat (and wasting most of it).

There are many ecological advantages to LEDs. Their efficiency in converting energy into light, rather than heat, helps reduce electricity consumption and air-conditioning needs. For people without access to ample energy, LEDs can be used with small solar cells and can replace expensive kerosene lamps and their noxious fumes and emissions. Where LEDs are installed in streetlights, they can save up to 70% of energy and significantly reduce maintenance costs.

Project Drawdown projects that if LED lighting becomes widely incorporated in the residential and commercial lighting market, it can help avoid between 10.2 - 10.8 gigatons of CO2 emissions in residences, and between 5.9 - 6.7 gigatons in commercial buildings. To achieve this, the global share of LEDs needs to increase rapidly:

<::marker> In 2018, LEDs accounted for 3% of the total commercial lighting market and 2% of the residential lighting market
<::marker> By 2050, LEDs should comprise 95% and 90% of the residential and commercial markets, respectively
<::marker> That’s 12.82% CAGR for residential LED, and 11.21% CAGR for commercial LED lighting between 2018 - 2050.

About

Veeco Instruments, Inc. (stock ticker: VECO) is a global capital equipment supplier that designs and builds processing systems used to manufacture high-tech microelectronics devices. These devices are used for LED lighting, communication networks, data storage, advanced computing and mobile devices, and in emerging applications like artificial intelligence, machine learning and 5G.

VECO's Role in Drawdown

Veeco’s process equipment systems are used in the production of a broad range of microelectronic components, including micro-LEDs, thin film magnetic heads, and other semiconductor devices.

Out of the five major market sectors that Veeco sells to, thor micro-LEDs are mostly utilized in the compound semiconductor sector (p. 6). This sector includes photonics, power electronics, RF filters and amplifiers, and solar applications. Micro-LED display is a new approach which uses an array of red, blue, and green micro-LEDs to directly display an image without motion blur or image retention, and with improved brightness, darker blacks, and wider viewing angles.

Veeco’s overall net sales have grown by 6.44% since 2016.

VECO: What We Like

Veco is working to reduce (p. 13) their use of natural gas for their office, production and R&D activities:

<::marker> In 2018, ~30% of their electric energy consumption was powered by renewable sources
<::marker> They installed LED lighting at their facilities to create more sustainable offices
<::marker> They eventually plan to set a target to increase the share of their renewable energy consumption from the 2018 baseline. No target has been set yet.

What We Want to See Improve

Track Sustainability Metrics

We applaud Veeco for publishing their inaugural (p. 6) sustainability report in 2021. But as Veeco acknowledges (p. 4), there is room for improvement in disclosure and goal setting. In particular, we want to see disclosure of Veeco’s direct and indirect GHG emissions so that investors can evaluate their carbon footprint. In subsequent sustainability reports, we would like to see scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions, precise amounts of emissions that Veeco’s products helped avoid, and concrete targets for reducing emissions in the near future.

Completely Switch to Renewables

As mentioned above, Veeco is making efforts to use more renewable energy in their offices and facilities. We commend this aspiration, and encourage them to completely shift to renewables as soon as possible.

Include Emissions Reductions in Code of Conduct

Veeco’s code of conduct (p. 3) includes a brief clause about exploring and pursuing ways to minimize energy consumption and GHG emissions. We think this is a great first step. But we look forward to the inclusion of much more proactive language about reducing emissions.

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5.00%	Applied Materials (AMAT)	Applied Materials supplies equipment, services and software for LED manufacturing. LEDs help conserve energy and cut emissions
0.56%	Universal Display (OLED)	Universal Display makes organic LEDs, replacing fluorescent and incandescent lighting and improving building energy efficiency
0.47%	Acuity Brands (AYI)	Acuity makes LEDs, smart lighting and building technology solutions that can improve energy efficiency and emissions from buildings
0.40%	Power Integrations, Inc. (POWI)	POWI makes energy-efficiency products like AC-DC power converters and LED drivers. These solutions help buildings conserve energy and cut emissions
0.28%	Diodes Incorporated (DIOD)	Diodes makes a range of semiconductor products for LCD display, LED monitors and lighting. LED lighting is a key solution for cutting building emissions
0.07%	Veeco Instruments Inc. (VECO)	Veeco makes equipment and processing systems used in making high-tech LEDs. Energy-efficient LEDs help buildings cut energy use and emissions
0.05%	Magnachip Semiconductor Corp. (MX)	Magnachip Semiconductor derives its revenue in part from the promotion of LEDs and solar PVs, through the sale of LED products and products used with solar PVs. It creates no products specifically for the fossil fuel industry.
0.02%	Agrify Corporation (AGFY)	Agrify provides LED lighting and other products for high-yield indoor agriculture. Efficient LEDs are an energy-saving alternative to conventional lights
0.02%	Amtech Systems, Inc. (ASYS)	Amtech Systems makes semiconductor equipment for LED and power device applications. LED lighting helps buildings cut emissions
0.02%	AXT, Inc. (AXTI)	AXT sells semiconductor substrates used in LEDs, thermal imaging, and autonomous vehicles. It makes no products specifically for the fossil fuel industry, thus passing our revenue filter.
0.02%	Energy Focus (EFOI)	Energy Focus makes LEDs for the Navy, federal, state and local governments, and big organizations, helping them save energy and cut building emissions
0.02%	Highway Holdings Limited (HIHO)	HIHO makes electronic components, some of which are used in making LEDs. LEDs are energy-efficient lighting that can cut emissions from buildings
0.02%	SemiLEDs Corporation (LEDS)	SemiLEDs makes LED components for lighting and other applications. LEDs are an energy-efficient lighting alternative that can cut building emissions
0.02%	LSI Industries Inc. (LYTS)	LSI Industries makes LEDs for automotive, restaurant, retail and grocery store customers. Energy-efficient LEDs help buildings cut emissions
0.02%	Orion Energy Systems, Inc (OESX)	Orion offers LED lighting and custom-made energy management systems for big organizations - a solution that cuts energy use and emissions from buildings
0.02%	O2Micro International Limited (OIIM)	O2Micro International makes LED products and lighting. LEDs are an energy-efficient lighting alternative that can cut emissions