OCI becomes first Korean supplier of phosphoric acid to SK hynix

OCI received approval from SK hynix to supply semiconductor phosphoric acid after a rigorous qualification process, and held a ceremony to celebrate the shipment of the first products at its Gunsan plant on August 21.

The semiconductor phosphoric acid supplied by OCI to SK hynix is one of the crucial materials in semiconductor manufacturing, and is used in the process of etching semiconductor wafers. OCI’s semiconductor phosphoric acid is a basic material used in all semiconductor processes, including DRAM, NAND flash memory and foundry production, and its demand expected to increase steadily in line with HBM’s growth and the recovery of the semiconductor business.

Since it entered the semiconductor phosphoric acid business in 2007, OCI has reached an annual production capacity of 25,000 tons and has been stably supplying phosphoric acid to major domestic semiconductor companies such as Samsung Electronics Co., SK keyfoundry Inc., and DB HiTek Co., for 17 years. It maintains the largest market share in the semiconductor phosphoric acid market. By adding SK hynix as a new customer, OCI has become the only company supplying phosphoric acid to all major domestic semiconductor manufacturers in Korea.

OCI plans to gradually expand its semiconductor phosphoric acid production capacity along with the growing demand from existing and new customers and contribute to the local production of semiconductor materials and stabilization of their supply chains.

The company expects to increase sales of hydrogen peroxide, which is essential for the cleaning processes of semiconductor fabrication.

OCI has produced hydrogen peroxide since 1979, with an annual capacity of 75,000 tons and has honed a competitive edge through its long history and technology. Samsung Electronics and SK hynix plan to resume their production line expansions with the recovery of the semiconductor business this year, and demand for electronic-grade hydrogen peroxide is expected to continue to increase accordingly.

In addition, OCI supplies semiconductor hydrogen peroxide to Kioxia Corp, a Japanese NAND flash memory manufacturer. Last July, Kioxia completed the construction of a new wafer fabrication plant in Iwate Prefecture with a monthly capacity of 25,000 wafers, raising the prospect of additional orders for OCI.

Recently, OCI decided to acquire a stake in P&O Chemical Co., which will increase its annual hydrogen peroxide production capacity by 50,000 tons, allowing it to proactively respond to the demand driven by the expanding production lines of customers.

OCI president Yoo Shin Kim said, “It is very encouraging that OCI has become the first domestic manufacturer to supply semiconductor phosphoric acid to SK hynix after passing the qualification process, based on our technology. In the future, OCI will strengthen its position as a semiconductor materials company by expanding production and boosting competitiveness to meet the growing demand for semiconductors.”

Note: The content of this press release has not been edited by Fibre2Fashion staff.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (HU)