[Click eStock] STI, Sales Slow Start This Year... Semiconductor Equipment Growing Rapidly

[Asia Economy Reporter Ji Yeon-jin] Hana Financial Investment forecasted on the 8th that STI's semiconductor equipment sales will become visible starting this year, and sales are expected to increase as the second half of the year progresses.

Kim Kyung-min, a researcher at Hana Financial Investment, stated, "STI, a supplier of semiconductor and display equipment, is diversifying the performance of new products beyond the previously known OLED inkjet printer," adding, "Although the sales proportion of the high-purity chemical supply devices, C.C.S.S. (Central Chemical Supply System) and WET System, remains high, from 2021, sales visibility of post-process Reflow equipment and chemical blending equipment in the semiconductor sector is expected." Additionally, the photo track system, which applies post-process cleaning equipment (Wet System) for displays to the front process, is also attracting attention.

Sales in the first and second quarters of this year recorded 43.7 billion KRW and 55.9 billion KRW, respectively. Following the low season in the first quarter, the second quarter also showed results below expectations. It is analyzed that the orders or sales of equipment expected at the beginning of the year were deferred to the second half of the year or the first quarter of 2022.

The third quarter is expected to achieve sales of 100 billion KRW. The largest contributor is the Pyeongtaek Phase 3 equipment. The equipment supplied by STI includes the Automatic Clean Quick Coupler System (ACQC), drum logistics automation system, and blending (mixing) equipment.

Among display equipment, STI has received an order for photo track system equipment from the Daejeon Regional Public Procurement Service and is progressing with the project. The photo track system is a facility where coating, development, and cleaning of the OLED front process are performed inline. Researcher Kim said, "In addition, semiconductor equipment sales for SK Hynix M15 and M16 are expected to increase compared to early-year forecasts, enhancing the visibility of sales in the third and fourth quarters, which is positive."