Intel has said that beginning with its entire family of 45 nanometer (nm) high-k metal gate (Hi-k) processors, all its chips will be lead-free.

The Intel 45nm Hi-k family includes the next-generation Intel Core 2 Duo, Core 2 Quad and Xeon processors, and the company will begin 45nm Hi-k production in the second half of this year.

Nasser Grayeli, Intel vice president and director of assembly test technology development, Technology and Manufacturing Group said that Intel was taking an aggressive stance toward environmental sustainability, from the elimination of lead and a focus on greater energy efficiency of our products to fewer air emissions and more water and materials recycling.

Intel's 45nm processors will make use of the company's Hi-k silicon technology for reduced transistor leakage, enabling more energy-efficient, high-performance processors.

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