SK Materials, a subsidiary of SK Group that specializes in materials, recently started mass production of ultra-high purity (purity 99.999%) and hydrogen fluoride (HF), which are key materials in the semiconductor manufacturing process.
Although HF is a key material for semiconductors and displays, South Korean companies have been relying on imports from Japan. In July last year, however, when Japan imposed export restrictions on three major items, including HF, Korean companies started to localize these materials. SK's latest production of HF gas is the result of localization of materials.
Ultra-purity HF gas is a cleaning gas used in semiconductor manufacturing, and demand is rapidly increasing due to the refinement of semiconductor processes. In particular, HF is the last of the three materials that the Japanese government has allowed to re-export to Korea.
In particular, since ArF PR is 90% dependent on overseas markets, it will be possible to supply stable materials to domestic semiconductor manufacturers when mass-production of the products begins. SK Materials aims to complete its production facilities in 2021 and produce 50,000 gallons of photoresist per year from 2022.
SK Siltron also acquired SiC (Silicon Carbide) wafer business for next-generation power semiconductors from Dupont in the U.S. last year. Previously, a small number of U.S. and European companies had dominated the global market for silicon carbide wafers.
SK Group is planning to strengthen South Korea's semiconductor ecosystem by connecting capabilities that it secured during localization of materials to win-win cooperation with small and medium-sized businesses.
For example, SK Hynix has created a win-win fund worth a total of 400 billion won ($330 million) to provide low-interest loans to its partners.
Material companies within SK Group will share the technologies and know-how that small and medium-sized partners need in the process of refining high-purity gases with high added value.
SK Materials established an R&D facility called "Integrated Analysis Center" at its headquarters in Yeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, in November last year and began preparing to provide analysis services to small and medium-sized companies with research institutes such as the Korea Institute of Standards and Science.
An official of SK Group said, "We will help small and medium-sized companies that have difficulties in securing investment costs and professional manpower to evolve and develop their know-how. We will strengthen win-win cooperation with small and medium-sized companies to enhance competitiveness of the domestic semiconductor industry and contribute to job creation."
