Joins Hands with Hansu Technical Service
SK ecoplant has entered the ultrapure water (UPW) business, which is expected to grow to 23 trillion won in 2024. UPW is highly purified water that is free from impurities like microbes, minerals, and dissolved gases.
SK ecoplant signed an MOU with Hansu Technical Service (HTS) on Oct. 18 for cooperation in the development of the UPW business at its headquarters in Susong-dong, Seoul.
Hansu Technical Service is a company with expertise UPW. Since 1988, it has carried out engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) work on UPW systems for semiconductor manufacturing. It also provides operation, commissioning, and maintenance services for UPW systems. It is responsible for the design, construction, and maintenance of UPW systems for global chipmakers such as SK Hynix. Recently, it launched R&D on wastewater reuse and sludge reduction technologies.
UPW is the closest to theoretical pure water as it is free from foreign substances and ions including electrolytes, microorganisms and fine particles. It is mainly used for ultra-fine processing and cleaning in the nanometer unit such as semiconductors, solar panels, secondary batteries and liquid crystal displays (LCDs). The concentration of total organic carbon (TOC) of ultrapure water entering the semiconductor process is less than one ppb (one billionth). It is also called the “cleanest water” produced through human technology.
UPW accounts for about 50 percent of the industrial water required for semiconductor manufacturing. Securing stable and high-purity UPW helps boost product competitiveness.
Through this agreement, the two companies agreed to jointly participate in the water treatment business including UPW and collaborate on technology exchange and professional manpower development using their infrastructure and know-how. Starting with the UPW O&M business, which is currently the main business of Hansu Technical Service, the scope of their collaboration will be expanded to include EPC for water treatment plants and industrial wastewater purification and reuse. They will establish a joint venture (JV) in the future.