Global Semiconductor Equipment Company ASM Invests 135 Billion KRW in Hwaseong

Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dong-yeon (center) is taking a commemorative photo with company officials at the groundbreaking ceremony of the Dutch ASM held in Hwaseong on the 24th.

Global advanced semiconductor process equipment manufacturer ASM is investing 135 billion KRW in Dongtan, Hwaseong to significantly expand new research and manufacturing facilities.

Kim Dong-yeon, Governor of Gyeonggi Province, attended the groundbreaking ceremony of ASM Korea located on Dongtan-ro, Hwaseong City on the 24th and said, "ASM is one of the most exemplary investment companies," adding, "When ASM, existing semiconductor production complexes, nearby materials, parts and equipment (SoBuJang) companies, and fabless companies are linked, Gyeonggi Province will be established as a world-class semiconductor hub. We will do everything we can to support if there is anything Gyeonggi Province can help with," expressing his warm welcome.

Benjamin Loh, CEO of ASM, explained, "Our activities in Korea are very important for ASM's growth," and added, "The Hwaseong facility serves as a global center for plasma-enhanced atomic layer deposition (PEALD) business as well as for major Korean customers. The technology developed by the Korean R&D team is essential for advanced semiconductor manufacturing worldwide."

ASM is the new name of ASMI, the world’s 10th largest semiconductor equipment company headquartered in Almere, the Netherlands. It has 3,300 employees across 14 countries and holds over 1,200 patents in the semiconductor equipment field.

After signing an investment agreement with Gyeonggi Province in 2015, ASM invested 87 billion KRW in January 2019 to establish semiconductor deposition equipment research and manufacturing facilities in the Dongtan Advanced Industrial Complex, Hwaseong City, employing 440 people.

ASM Korea plans to invest an additional 135 billion KRW by 2025 to establish semiconductor deposition equipment research and manufacturing facilities on a 7,400㎡ (2,200 pyeong) site right next to the existing facility and employ more than 200 people.

This investment attracted attention as it was decided within a few months after Governor Kim Dong-yeon actively encouraged the investment decision by meeting with representatives from both ASM headquarters and the Korean branch.

Governor Kim met Paul Verhagen, CFO of ASM, in October last year, and in November held a 'Future Growth Innovation Companies Investment Attraction Roundtable Meeting,' inviting Kim Yong-gil, Chairman of ASM Korea. Governor Kim actively encouraged investment in Gyeonggi Province to CFO Verhagen and Chairman Kim Yong-gil, who showed interest in investing in Korea.

ASM’s investment in Gyeonggi Province is the only facility among ASM’s global locations that combines both research and development functions and manufacturing facilities.

ASM Korea’s semiconductor deposition equipment is based on core technology developed by domestic companies and commercialized by ASM.

Gyeonggi Province expects ASM Korea to produce 70% of its materials and parts in collaboration with small and medium-sized enterprises within the province.

Meanwhile, about 150 people attended the groundbreaking ceremony, including Pauline van der Meer Mohr, Chairperson of ASM’s Board of Directors; Benjamin Loh, CEO of ASM; Kim Wan-gi, Director of Trade and Investment at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy; Shin Mi-sook, member of the Gyeonggi Provincial Council’s Economic and Labor Committee; Kim Yong-gil, Chairman of ASM Korea; Joanne Doornewaard, Ambassador of the Netherlands to Korea; and Kim Tae-hyung, CEO of Invest Korea.