Visit to Gumi Factory on the 1st... "Expecting Export Expansion"
[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced that Minister Lee Chang-yang visited the SK Siltron factory in Gumi, Gyeongsangbuk-do on the 1st and encouraged the company to contribute to the expansion of semiconductor materials, parts, and equipment exports. The company plans to invest about 1.2 trillion won in new production facilities over the next three years starting next year.
On the day, Minister Lee attended the investment agreement ceremony and inspected the silicon wafer and ultrapure water production facilities. The ceremony was attended by President Yoon Seok-yeol, Minister Lee, Environment Minister Han Hwa-jin, Gyeongsangbuk-do Governor Lee Cheol-woo, Gumi Mayor Kim Jang-ho, SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won, SK Siltron President Jang Yong-ho, People Power Party lawmakers Koo Ja-geun and Kim Young-sik, among others.
The attendees toured SK Siltron’s silicon wafer production facilities and the new investment site in the 3rd industrial complex in Gumi, and visited the ultrapure water demonstration plant construction site. They urged the company to complete the facilities without any setbacks. SK Siltron, which is receiving research and development (R&D) support from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and cooperating with the Ministry of Environment and Korea Water Resources Corporation, is pushing forward with the construction of the ultrapure water demonstration plant aiming for its first operation this year.
At the agreement ceremony, SK Siltron announced plans to invest 1.236 trillion won from next year through 2026 to build new silicon wafer production facilities in the Gumi 3rd industrial complex. Gyeongbuk Province and Gumi City promised to support related permits and approvals. After the investment, SK Siltron set a goal to become a global leader in the 300mm wafer market by 2026. The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy expects that achieving this goal will contribute to the localization of semiconductor materials and securing the supply chain for parts and equipment. It is also expected to create over 1,000 new direct jobs, contributing to the revitalization of Gumi’s economy.
Minister Lee encouraged SK Siltron’s investment and urged efforts to increase exports as well. He emphasized, "Please pay attention and make efforts so that this investment leads to an increase in semiconductor materials, parts, and equipment exports."
Korea’s silicon wafer export volume has been increasing every year. It recorded $92.2 billion (about 113.6 trillion won) in 2020, $107.2 billion (about 132 trillion won) in 2021, and $128.9 billion (about 158.75 trillion won) last year. SK Siltron is the world’s third-largest company, securing an 18% market share in 2021.
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