Samsung SDI to Develop Phoptoresists on Its Own

Samsung SDI has started developing semiconductor photoresists (PRs). The company aims to internalize production of semiconductor PRs which Japan nearly monopolizes and seek to diversify the simple product portfolio of its Electronics Materials Business Department.

The department has recently introduced 8-inch wafer lithography and track equipment for PR development to its research center.

Samsung SDI’s move to develop semiconductor PRs will have a significant impact on the localization of semiconductor materials in Korea. Japanese industries are an overwhelming force in PRs, an essential material for semiconductor manufacturing. PRs are one of the materials put under export control to Korea by the Japanese government in 2019.

At the time, Japan curbed exports of extreme ultraviolet (EUV) PRs. However, Japanese companies are monopolizing argon fluoride (ArF) and KrF PRs, which are more commonly used than EUV PRs. For example, Fuji of Japan is dominating the market of KrF PRs used to manufacture CMOS image sensors.

Since the beginning of Japan's export restrictions, TOK in Japan and DuPont in the U.S. among others have made moves to reorganize PR supply chains through PR production in their export markets. In Korea, companies that manufacture PRs such as Dongjin Semichem and SK Materials Performance have been making localization efforts. However, many industry experts pointed out that Korea needs to invest more capital and human resources to become a hub for core semiconductor materials.

Industry analysts say that if Samsung SDI enters the field to mass-produce PRs, it will greatly expand Korea’s semiconductor material research infrastructure.

Samsung SDI did not mention the time when the PR development project will be started and completed. The company said that when it finishes the PR development, it would supply the product not only to Samsung Electronics but to other semiconductor companies and other companies that use PRs

"We are still developing various types of PRs including EUV PRs," a Samsung SDI official said. "We have not decided on the time of commercialization or the items to be developed."