Sinar Saredah Supports X-FAB Sarawak with Cleaning for a Demanding Semiconductor Environment
At X-FAB Sarawak, cleaning must support a demanding industrial and semiconductor manufacturing environment. In this type of facility, cleanliness is connected to discipline, quality, operational confidence, and contamination control.
A semiconductor environment is different from a normal factory. Even small particles can matter. Cleaning teams must understand access control, cleanroom boundaries, manufacturing-area sensitivity, static concerns, chemical compatibility, and the importance of following site instructions.
Sinar Saredah delivers cleaning support for X-FAB Sarawak by combining trained personnel, suitable cleaning agents, controlled cleaning tools, manufacturing-area care, and professional upkeep for administrative zones.
The objective is to help the facility maintain quality-focused operations while keeping offices, shared spaces, and support areas clean and presentable.
The Challenge: Cleaning in a Quality-Focused Manufacturing Environment
Industrial cleaning in a semiconductor environment is challenging because the cleaning team cannot simply enter and clean as they would in a normal building.
There are rules. There are restricted areas. There are sensitive zones. There are cleanroom-related expectations. There are production schedules. There may be gowning requirements, controlled pathways, chemical restrictions, and site-specific safety procedures.
The team must understand that the wrong cleaning method can create problems. Dry sweeping can release dust. Wrong cloths can leave lint. Strong odours can affect working comfort. Over-wetting can create safety risks. Touching the wrong surface can disturb equipment or production flow.
The challenge was to maintain cleanliness while respecting the manufacturing environment.
What Sinar Saredah Did
Sinar Saredah approached the site with a controlled and disciplined cleaning plan.
The work was divided into several cleaning zones:
| Zone | Cleaning Requirement |
|---|---|
| Administration offices | Daily cleaning, dusting, vacuuming, sanitisation |
| Meeting rooms | Carpet care, table cleaning, chair alignment |
| Shared corridors | Floor care, dust control, safe walkway maintenance |
| Pantry and rest areas | Degreasing, hygiene cleaning, odour control |
| Washrooms | Deep hygiene cleaning and consumable checks |
| Manufacturing-adjacent areas | Controlled dust removal and approved wiping |
| Cleanroom-support areas | Low-lint tools, careful cleaning, site-approved procedures |
| Entry and gowning areas | Floor dust control, surface sanitisation, mat cleaning support |
The team followed site instructions closely. Restricted areas were cleaned only with approval. Cleanroom-support cleaning was carried out using low-lint and controlled materials. The team avoided aggressive methods that could spread particles.
For administrative zones and meeting rooms, Sinar Saredah also supported carpet upkeep where required. This included vacuuming, spot treatment, and periodic extraction for suitable areas. For similar facilities, Sinar Saredah provides commercial carpet cleaning for offices and business premises.
Machinery and Tools Used
The machinery and tools were selected to support dust control, floor care, and controlled cleaning.
| Equipment | Purpose |
|---|---|
| HEPA-filtered vacuum cleaners | Fine dust control in offices and support areas |
| Cleanroom-compatible vacuum tools | Controlled dust removal where approved |
| Microfiber flat mop systems | Low-lint floor cleaning |
| Lint-free wipes | Sensitive surface wiping |
| Tacky rollers | Particle pickup on selected surfaces |
| Wet and dry vacuum machine | Controlled wet-area clean-up |
| Rotary floor machine | Deep scrubbing in non-sensitive hard-floor zones |
| Walk-behind scrubber dryer | Larger corridor and administrative floor care |
| Carpet extractor | Periodic carpet cleaning in admin and meeting rooms |
| High-reach tools | Dusting ledges, vents, and corners |
| Air blowers | Drying support after wet cleaning outside sensitive zones |
The team used different tools for different areas. Tools used in washrooms were not used in office spaces. Tools used in general areas were not brought into controlled zones unless permitted.
Cleaning Materials Used
The cleaning materials were chosen carefully because semiconductor environments require compatibility and control.
Materials included:
- Neutral pH cleaner
- Low-residue surface cleaner
- Low-odour disinfectant
- 70% IPA wipes for approved surfaces
- Deionised water wiping solution where required and approved
- Lint-free wipes
- Microfiber cloths
- Colour-coded mop heads
- Non-shedding mop systems
- Tacky mats or tacky rollers for particle control support
- Mild degreaser for pantry and utility areas
- Glass cleaner for admin zones
- Stainless steel polish for selected non-sensitive fixtures
- Disposable gloves
- Site-approved PPE
The team avoided strong fragrances and unnecessary chemical overuse. In controlled areas, the priority was not just cleaning power but residue control.
Cleanroom-Support Cleaning Approach
For cleanroom-support or manufacturing-adjacent areas, the cleaning process was more careful.
The team followed a controlled sequence:
1. Entry Control
Only assigned personnel entered the area. The team followed site gowning, PPE, and access rules.
2. Tool Preparation
Cleaning tools were checked before use. Lint-free wipes, approved cloths, and suitable mop systems were prepared.
3. High-to-Low Cleaning
Dust was removed from upper surfaces before lower surfaces. This prevented recontamination.
4. Dry Particle Removal
HEPA-filtered vacuuming and tacky tools were used where suitable to capture particles before wet wiping.
5. Controlled Wiping
Surfaces were wiped using approved materials. Chemicals were applied to cloths instead of sprayed directly.
6. Floor Cleaning
Floors were cleaned with controlled moisture. The team avoided excess water and ensured proper drying.
7. Final Check
The supervisor checked for visible dust, residue, wet spots, and tool removal before handover.
Administrative Area Cleaning
The administrative zones required a different style of cleaning. These spaces needed to look professional, support staff comfort, and stay ready for meetings and visitors.
The team cleaned:
- Workstations
- Meeting tables
- Chairs
- Cabinets
- Glass partitions
- Pantry counters
- Washrooms
- Corridors
- Reception areas
- Carpeted rooms
- Waste points
- Shared touchpoints
High-touch disinfection focused on door handles, switches, table edges, chair arms, shared devices, pantry surfaces, and washroom fixtures.
How Long the Work Took
For a semiconductor-related environment, cleaning work must be phased carefully.
A realistic initial cleaning programme took approximately 7 working days.
| Phase | Duration | Work Completed |
|---|---|---|
| Site briefing and safety induction | 0.5 day | Rules, access, PPE, restricted zones |
| Zone mapping and cleaning plan | 0.5 day | Admin, support, manufacturing-adjacent areas |
| Administration deep cleaning | 1.5 days | Offices, meeting rooms, pantry, washrooms |
| Manufacturing-adjacent dust control | 1.5 days | HEPA vacuuming, controlled wiping, floor care |
| Cleanroom-support cleaning | 1 day | Approved areas only, low-lint cleaning |
| Floor and carpet maintenance | 1 day | Scrubbing, carpet extraction, drying |
| Final detailing and inspection | 1 day | Quality check, correction, handover |
After the initial work, periodic cleaning continued according to the site’s operational needs. Some areas required daily attention. Others required weekly, monthly, or scheduled deep cleaning.
Manpower Deployment
The team was structured to ensure control and accountability.
A typical deployment included:
- 1 site supervisor
- 1 safety and quality lead
- 4 to 8 trained cleaning technicians
- 1 machine operator
- 1 carpet and floor-care specialist
- 1 controlled-area cleaning lead
The supervisor coordinated timing and access. The quality lead checked work standards. The controlled-area cleaning lead ensured that sensitive areas were handled according to site requirements.
Safety and Compliance Awareness
Safety was central to the cleaning process.
The team followed site rules, wore appropriate PPE, used caution signs during wet cleaning, controlled chemical handling, and avoided unauthorised movement in restricted areas.
For chemical use, products were labelled and diluted correctly. Strong-smelling products were avoided where possible. Chemicals were not mixed. Storage and handling followed basic safety practices.
For machinery, cables were managed properly to prevent trip hazards. Wet areas were marked. Floors were dried before reopening.
The Result
Sinar Saredah’s support helped X-FAB Sarawak maintain a cleaner and more controlled working environment across both administrative and manufacturing-support areas.
The facility benefited from:
- Cleaner offices
- Better-maintained shared spaces
- Improved dust control
- Professional meeting rooms
- Safer walkways
- More hygienic washrooms and pantry areas
- Controlled cleaning for sensitive zones
- Better presentation for staff, vendors, and visitors
For X-FAB, the outcome was not just cleanliness. It was operational support. The cleaning programme helped reduce housekeeping burden so the facility team could focus on manufacturing, quality, and operations.
Final Positioning Statement
These projects show that Sinar Saredah is not only a general cleaning provider. The company understands that different industries require different cleaning standards.
A data centre needs dust control and low-risk cleaning. A utility facility needs public-facing hygiene and rapid-response disinfection. A semiconductor facility needs controlled cleaning discipline and manufacturing-awareness.
Sinar Saredah brings the manpower, machinery, materials, and supervision needed to support these environments professionally.
From its base at Ground Floor Lot 1905, Block 10, Jalan Tun Ahmad Zaidi Adruce, 93150 Kuching, Sarawak, Sinar Saredah Sdn Bhd continues to serve commercial, industrial, institutional, and corporate clients across Sarawak with practical experience and reliable cleaning execution.
