Samsung Electronics, SK Hynix, and other
Korean semiconductor manufacturers supplied with semiconductor phosphoric acid
OCI employees are taking commemorative photos on the 21st of last month at the OCI Gunsan plant to celebrate the first shipment of semiconductor phosphoric acid to SK Hynix. Photo by OCI
OCI announced on the 2nd that it has been selected as the semiconductor phosphoric acid supplier for SK Hynix, becoming the first domestic phosphoric acid manufacturer to do so.
Through this SK Hynix order, OCI plans to further solidify its position as the number one company in the domestic semiconductor phosphoric acid market share (M/S) and strengthen its standing as a semiconductor materials company.
OCI obtained approval to supply semiconductor phosphoric acid products after undergoing SK Hynix's rigorous quality tests and held a ceremony for the shipment of initial products at its Gunsan plant on the 21st of last month.
The semiconductor phosphoric acid that OCI supplies to SK Hynix is one of the key materials required for semiconductor production. It is used in the etching process of semiconductor wafers. OCI's semiconductor phosphoric acid is a universal material used in all semiconductor processes including DRAM, NAND flash, and foundry (contract manufacturing). Its demand is expected to steadily increase due to the growth of high bandwidth memory (HBM) and the recovery of the semiconductor market.
Since entering the semiconductor phosphoric acid business in 2007, OCI currently has an annual production capacity of 25,000 tons. It has maintained the number one domestic market share by stably supplying semiconductor phosphoric acid to major domestic semiconductor companies such as Samsung Electronics, SK Hynix Foundry, and DB HiTek for the past 17 years. By adding SK Hynix as a new customer this time, OCI has become the only company supplying phosphoric acid to all domestic semiconductor manufacturers.
OCI plans to gradually expand its semiconductor phosphoric acid production capacity in response to new customer acquisitions and increased demand from existing customers, contributing to the localization of semiconductor materials and stabilization of the supply chain.
OCI expects growth in the semiconductor materials sector, including the phosphoric acid supplied to SK Hynix this time. It also anticipates sales growth in hydrogen peroxide products, which are essential for the cleaning process during semiconductor production.
OCI has been producing hydrogen peroxide since 1979 and currently has an annual production capacity of 75,000 tons. It has secured competitiveness based on its long experience and technological expertise. As the semiconductor market recovers this year and Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix plan to expand again, the industry expects continuous growth in demand for electronic-grade hydrogen peroxide accordingly.
Additionally, OCI is directly supplying semiconductor-grade hydrogen peroxide to the Japanese NAND flash company Kioxia. With Kioxia completing a new factory in Iwate Prefecture in July capable of producing 25,000 wafers per month, further orders from OCI are anticipated.
OCI recently decided to acquire shares in P&O Chemical, which will increase its hydrogen peroxide production capacity by 50,000 tons annually. This will enable proactive response to increased demand due to customer expansions.
Kim Yushin, CEO of OCI, stated, "It is very encouraging to have passed the quality tests successfully based on our domestic number one market share technology and to become the first domestic phosphoric acid manufacturer to supply semiconductor phosphoric acid to SK Hynix. Going forward, OCI will continue to successfully expand its semiconductor materials business and strengthen competitiveness in line with the increasing semiconductor demand, thereby reinforcing its position as a semiconductor materials company."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
