- SKC is also going to start mass-production of mask blanks used in semiconductors starting this year
- SKC Solmics intends to setup a semiconductor cleaning facility in China
SKC Solmics, SKC’s affiliate specializing in semiconductor parts and materials, is expanding its semiconductor cleaning business in China. SKC Solmics had recently launched its cleaning business, which involves removing foreign substances from semiconductor equipment and parts.
“The cleaning business is large, and it has high growth potential. SKC Solmics will stabilize its business in China quickly and enter the global market based on its cleaning business know-how accumulated for over 16 years,” a SKC official said.
The company said that it had decided to enter the Chinese market this year to expand its business in the global market.
1.2 trillion won in 2020 to two trillion won in 2025
The importance of the cleaning process, as per SKC, has increased as the semiconductor circuits have become nanoscopic. The market size is rapidly growing accordingly. According to SKC’s internal survey, the global market is expected to grow from 1.2 trillion won in 2020 to two trillion won in 2025.
“Semiconductor cleaning is a process of removing foreign substances by cleaning various kinds of equipment and parts needed for semiconductor production. In semiconductor processes, even a very small amount of foreign substances can affect the yield and quality greatly. As such, semiconductor manufacturers clean the equipment and parts regularly before reusing them,” read SKC’s official statement.
The company is also going to start mass-production of mask blanks used in semiconductors starting this year. South Korean companies rely on Japan-based suppliers to source majority of mask blanks.
SKC, a subsidiary of Korea-headquartered SK Hynix, had invested $39.4 million in developing a mask blank plant in 2018. This plant is said to be completed now. SKC might start manufacturing mask blanks anytime soon.
