Hanmi Semiconductor Successfully Localizes Semiconductor Equipment Micro Saw

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyungsoo Park] Hanmi Semiconductor, a semiconductor equipment developer, announced on the 2nd that it has domestically developed the dual-chuck saw equipment for semiconductor packages, which had been entirely dependent on imports from Japan, for the first time in Korea.

Hanmi Semiconductor's micro SAW is equipment used to saw semiconductor packages. This achievement is significant as it marks the successful localization, breaking free from the shadow of Japanese companies that had dominated the global market in the semiconductor package saw sector. Since the second half of 2019, when Japan's economic retaliation heightened the importance of self-reliance in materials, parts, and equipment in Korea's IT sector, this is the first case of successful localization in equipment.

Dongshin Kwak, Vice Chairman of Hanmi Semiconductor, said, "As seen in the recently announced 'K-semiconductor Strategy,' the competition to secure semiconductor technology is intensifying from a private sector-centered rivalry to an inter-national competition. I believe it is a great achievement that we have succeeded in import substitution by independently developing products that were entirely dependent on imports from Japan, in response to the IT sector's materials, parts, and equipment crisis triggered by Japan's export restrictions on semiconductor hydrogen fluoride."

He added, "From the import substitution perspective, there is an annual cost-saving effect of about 90 billion KRW. Based on customer evaluations that highlight the resolution of supply uncertainties, rapid equipment delivery, and superior productivity, convenience, and reliability compared to competitors, we will further expand our market dominance."

Vice Chairman Kwak also emphasized, "Especially with confidence in quality, we provide an 18-month free warranty period, which is superior to our competitors."

The overseas semiconductor market is experiencing a rapid increase in semiconductor equipment orders due to the continuous growth in semiconductor demand driven by the activation of the 4th industrial revolution, including 5G, metaverse, Internet of Things, artificial intelligence, autonomous driving, connected cars, and data servers. Along with this, customer investment demand is also expanding due to semiconductor supply shortages. Hanmi Semiconductor's successful localization of the 'micro SAW' equipment is regarded as a sufficiently significant issue that raises market expectations more than ever.