Samsung Electronics and POSCO to Promote Domestic Production of Rare Semiconductor Gas 'Xenon'
Application of Semiconductor Production Line from 2024
Expansion of Production Volume until 2027
[Asia Economy Reporter Han Yeju] Samsung Electronics announced on the 27th that it will promote the localization of xenon (Xe) gas, a core semiconductor material, in collaboration with POSCO.
Xenon gas is one of the rare gases essential for the production of advanced semiconductors such as 3D V-NAND. It is contained in trace amounts in the air and is mainly produced at steel mills equipped with large air separation units. Currently, all of it is imported.
Accordingly, Samsung Electronics signed a memorandum of understanding with POSCO for "business cooperation on xenon gas for semiconductors" and will start receiving xenon gas supplies from 2024.
Samsung Electronics plans to promote the localization of core semiconductor materials and diversify the supply chain through this cooperation amid intensifying global supply chain issues.
POSCO plans to develop equipment technology to extract xenon gas from the air separation units at the Gwangyang Steelworks by 2023, start production from 2024, and expand production volume until 2027. Samsung Electronics will apply the xenon gas produced by POSCO to its production lines after quality certification.
Jeon Junyoung, Vice President and Head of Purchasing Team at Samsung Electronics’ DS Division, said, "The cooperation between Samsung Electronics and POSCO is expected to contribute to the localization of core semiconductor materials as well as the development of the domestic semiconductor materials industry."
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Yoon Deokil, Head of POSCO’s Management Planning Division, stated, "We are honored to be able to promote the localization of xenon following neon by utilizing POSCO’s facilities," and emphasized, "Through close cooperation with Samsung Electronics, we will contribute to establishing a stable rare gas supply chain for the domestic semiconductor industry."
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