Development Initiated for Production and Supply Technology of 'High-Purity Industrial Water' Used in Semiconductor Processes

Ultrapure Water Production Process.

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Joo Sang-don] The Ministry of Environment announced on the 14th that it will launch the project 'Development of Integrated Domestic Technology for Design, Construction, and Operation of High-Purity Industrial Water' in collaboration with Korea Water Resources Corporation and Korea Environmental Industry & Technology Institute. Through this, the localization of ultrapure water production technology, an essential raw material for the semiconductor industry, will be actively promoted.

The development of integrated domestic technology for design, construction, and operation of high-purity industrial water was initiated as one of the measures to respond to Japan's export regulations in 2019. It is an R&D project to develop technology for producing and supplying high-purity industrial water used in semiconductor processes by utilizing domestic technology.

'Ultrapure water' is essential industrial water used to clean byproducts and contaminants generated during hundreds of semiconductor production unit processes. Since semiconductors are composed of ultra-fine circuits, the total organic carbon (TOC) concentration must be maintained at an extremely high purity level of '1 part per billion (ppb)' or less.

Until now, South Korea has depended on overseas companies, including Japan, for about 50% of the ultrapure industrial water used in semiconductors. In particular, process design, ultrapure water piping, and water treatment chemicals have relied on Japan, making the industry highly vulnerable to external factors such as export regulations.

Accordingly, the Ministry of Environment began developing domestic technologies for key components of high-purity industrial water production this year, including ultraviolet oxidation devices (UV) and degassing membranes for dissolved oxygen removal. Along with this, Korea Water Resources Corporation plans to install and operate a demonstration plant producing 2,400 tons of ultrapure water per day at an actual semiconductor supplier by 2025. Once the ultrapure water production facility is completed, it is expected to localize up to 60% of the ultrapure water processes used in the design, construction, and operation stages of semiconductors.

Korea Water Resources Corporation is currently consulting with demand sites to build the demonstration plant. The site for installing the demonstration plant will be finalized within the year after reviewing construction and utilization plans.

Kim Dong-jin, Director of Water Resources Policy at the Ministry of Environment, stated, "High-purity industrial water demand is gradually expanding not only in semiconductors but also in high value-added industries such as pharmaceuticals, bio, and fine chemicals. If this technology development project proceeds smoothly, it will serve as a stepping stone to break away from dependence on foreign technology and establish a foundation for the domestic water treatment industry to enter overseas markets."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.