LG Display succeeded in localizing high purity hydrogen fluoride, which is used in display process and semiconductor process.
According to industry sources on Sept. 1, LG Display has recently finished testing stability of high purity hydrogen fluoride in South Korea and is planning to apply it to production process this month.
Hydropogen Fluoride was reportedly supplied by a local material company. It is heard that this company has been extracting and processing Chinese molds and extracts that are raw materials of hydrogen fluoride.
Until now, LG Display had imported and used high purity hydrogen fluoride from Stella Corporation of Japan.
"Although testing is not completely finished, progress is good." said an industry expert. "We will be able to mass-produce this product sometime this month at the earliest."
LG Display is planning to start production of hydrogen fluoroide right after testing is completed. However, even if it mass-produces high purity hydrogens, it is likely that the company will import Japanese products at the same time for the time being as production is not sufficient yet.
Hydropogen Fluoride is a key material needed for the semiconductor and display cleaning process, while Japan earlier designated it as an export-regulated item along with hydrogen polyimide and photoresist.
The success of LG's hydrogen Fluoride test is expected to serve as an opportunity to reduce its dependence on imports from Japan, given that it led to the localization of key semiconductor and display materials.
Not only LG Display, but other semiconductor companies such as SK hynix and Samsung Electronics are also stepping up efforts to localize hydrogen Fluoride.
"Samsung is also actively working on the hydrogen Fluoride test, so it will be able to produce good results in the near future," an industry expert said.