[IPO Spotlight] Oros Technology, Semiconductor Inspection and Measurement Equipment Company

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyungsoo Park] Oros Technology plans to become a globally competitive company in the semiconductor front-end process metrology equipment market, leveraging its listing on the KOSDAQ market.

Founded in 2009, Oros Technology developed semiconductor front-end overlay measurement equipment (Overlay System). Overlay measurement equipment is metrology equipment that verifies whether the actual stacking is properly aligned according to the circuit pattern during key front-end processes such as the lithography process, and corrects positional errors. As semiconductor manufacturing processes advance, the demand for overlay measurement is increasing. The number of overlay systems per lithography machine is expected to increase from about 0.5 units to up to 3 units. Oros Technology was recognized for securing core technology and received an A grade in the technology evaluation.

Overlay equipment measures the alignment status of circuit patterns on semiconductor wafers. Generally, semiconductor manufacturing is divided into front-end and back-end processes. In the front-end process, which inputs circuit patterns onto semiconductor wafers, steps such as lithography, etching, cleaning, deposition, ion implantation, diffusion, and CMP are performed. Overlay equipment inspects and controls whether alignment errors occur between circuit patterns during the repeated stacking of these patterns.

Oros Technology is distinguished by having developed and owning a proprietary overlay target. The overlay target, designed with a unique structure, demonstrates similar precision measurement performance with half the area compared to existing targets. A domestic semiconductor manufacturer selected Oros Technology as a technology innovation company.

Researcher Seungdoo Na from SK Securities explained, "Oros Technology is the only domestic company that has penetrated the overlay metrology equipment market, which is dominated by KLA and ASML," adding, "It is in the process of eroding the market share of competing companies."

Oros Technology plans to raise 39.9 billion KRW through an initial public offering (IPO). The public offering price per share was set at 21,000 KRW.

The raised funds will be used to expand research and development (R&D) products, invest in facilities, increase R&D investment, and secure talented personnel. The company plans to establish production facilities in the general industrial complex in Hwaseong-si, Gyeonggi-do, and purchase approximately 500 pyeong of land to expand cleanroom facilities and equipment utility facilities. Including building construction, production facilities meeting equipment specification standards will be established within a cleanroom of about 300 to 350 pyeong.

Oros Technology will expand its research and development center near Pangyo. To grow into a global company, it also plans to establish an overseas research institute in Silicon Valley, USA.