LG Chem is leveraging its experience in display materials to enter the semiconductor process chemicals market, with its new stripper reportedly cutting residue-removal time by around 50 per cent.
South Korean chemical major LG Chem has entered the semiconductor materials market after securing its first mass-production supply contract for semiconductor strippers from Amkor Technology, a leading outsourced semiconductor assembly and testing (OSAT) company.
The deal marks a significant step in LG Chem’s diversification strategy as it expands beyond its traditional chemical businesses into high-growth semiconductor materials.
Semiconductor strippers are specialised process chemicals used to remove photoresist and other residues after circuit patterning. They are critical to maintaining the cleanliness and precision required during chip manufacturing and advanced packaging. As chip architectures become increasingly complex, manufacturers require chemicals that can remove residues effectively without damaging delicate structures.
LG Chem leveraged its existing expertise in developing strippers for the display industry to enter the semiconductor sector. The company adapted its chemical formulations and manufacturing processes to meet the stringent requirements of semiconductor production and successfully cleared Amkor’s qualification process.
The semiconductor stripper will be supplied for a new Amkor production line. According to LG Chem, the product can reduce the time required to remove photoresist and residues by approximately 50 per cent compared to previous-generation products. The improvement could help increase manufacturing efficiency and support higher yields.
The development comes amid rising demand for advanced semiconductor packaging driven by artificial intelligence and high-bandwidth memory (HBM) applications. These technologies require increasingly precise manufacturing processes and specialised materials.
LG Chem chief executive officer (CEO) Kim Dong Choon said the company aims to strengthen its competitiveness by providing customised solutions tailored to individual customer requirements.
The company’s entry into the semiconductor materials market also reflects a broader trend among Asian chemical companies seeking growth in technology-intensive sectors. With its first mass-production contract from Amkor, LG Chem has taken an important step towards competing with established semiconductor materials suppliers and building a larger presence in the global chip supply chain.
