Investment Decision to Establish Development and Production Facilities for EUV Photoresist
Minister Sung Yun-mo Meets President John Kemp to Confirm Investment Attraction
Government "Efforts Including Incentive Support... Continuous Promotion of Supply Source Diversification"
[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bo-kyung] Global company DuPont has confirmed an investment of 28 million USD in South Korea to establish development and production facilities for extreme ultraviolet (EUV) photoresist, a core semiconductor material. EUV photoresist has mainly relied on imports from Japan, but this investment will enable diversification of supply sources.
According to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy on the 9th, Minister Sung Yun-mo met with DuPont President John Kemp in Silicon Valley, USA, on the 8th (local time) and successfully attracted investment for photoresist production facilities.
At the meeting, DuPont confirmed its investment in South Korea to build development and production facilities for EUV photoresist, one of the three major items subject to Japan's export regulations, and submitted an investment notification to KOTRA.
The investment involves expanding a semiconductor material production plant in Cheonan, Chungnam Province, with a declared investment amount of 28 million USD.
DuPont has operated two factories in Cheonan since 1998 through its Korean subsidiary, Rohm and Haas Electronic Materials Korea, producing materials and components for semiconductor circuit boards.
This investment is aimed at responding proactively to the growing market demands for next-generation products and technologies necessary for semiconductor miniaturization, including EUV photoresist.
Since Japan's export restrictions in July last year, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy has directly engaged with global company DuPont to negotiate investment attraction to stabilize the supply of core materials, parts, and equipment.
An official from the ministry stated, "The government, local governments, and KOTRA worked as one team to actively negotiate with DuPont, surpassing competing countries to have South Korea selected as the final investment destination. We will strive to ensure that any difficulties during the investment process are resolved and that incentive support is provided smoothly."
President John Kemp said, "We plan to closely cooperate by conducting product demonstration tests with major demand companies in South Korea to develop and produce EUV photoresist."
Minister Sung Yun-mo said, "Although there has been some progress in resolving Japan's export restrictions, such as the recent approval of a specific general license for EUV photoresist, it is difficult to see this as a fundamental solution."
He added, "The government will continue to pursue securing technological competitiveness and diversifying supply sources for core materials, parts, and equipment."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
