Lam Research, the World's 3rd Largest Semiconductor Equipment Company, Establishes R&D Center in Yongin

Opening Ceremony of Lam Research Korea Technology Center (KTC)
Over 100 R&D Personnel Including PhD-Level Engineers Working

Lam Research Korea Technology Center (KTC) located in Jigok Industrial Complex, Yongin, Gyeonggi-do.
[Photo by Lam Research]

[Asia Economy Sejong=Reporter Lee Jun-hyung] Lam Research, the world's third-largest semiconductor equipment company, has opened an advanced research and development (R&D) center in Korea. Lam Research plans to utilize the domestic R&D center as a hub within its global network.

According to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy on the 26th, Lam Research held an opening ceremony for the state-of-the-art R&D facility, 'Lam Research Korea Technology Center (KTC),' in the Jigok Industrial Complex, Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, this morning, and began full-scale operations. Lam Research KTC is an advanced R&D center for developing semiconductor equipment and process technologies, which began construction in July 2020 and was completed last February.

About 100 R&D personnel, including PhD-level engineers, work at Lam Research KTC. Lam Research intends to make KTC a key hub in its global R&D network, including the United States and Europe. CEO Tim Archer said, "Due to the global semiconductor supply shortage, the need for continuous investment across the industry is increasing," adding, "Lam Research has doubled its production in Korea over the past two years and expanded and added capabilities to its production facilities worldwide."

Park Jin-gyu, First Vice Minister of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, said at the opening ceremony, "The semiconductor equipment sector is becoming increasingly important," and added, "The opening of Lam Research KTC will also contribute to strengthening the competitiveness of Korea's semiconductor industry." He continued, "The government will actively support making Korea a stable and attractive investment destination for global semiconductor materials, parts, and equipment companies."

Meanwhile, the global semiconductor equipment market has been steadily growing every year. According to the International Semiconductor Equipment and Materials Association, global semiconductor equipment sales reached $102.6 billion (approximately 128 trillion KRW) last year, a 44% increase from the previous year ($71.2 billion). By country sales share, China ranked first ($29.6 billion), followed by Korea ($25 billion), and Taiwan ($24.9 billion).