Sumitomo Chemical Japan "Producing Core Semiconductor Materials in Korea"

Strategy to Meet Korean Demand and Diversify Production Bases

Japan's Sumitomo Chemical will manufacture semiconductor core material photoresists, previously produced only at its Osaka factory, in South Korea as well.

On the 25th, Nihon Keizai Shimbun reported that Sumitomo Chemical plans to produce extreme ultraviolet (EUV) photoresists and argon fluoride (ArF) photoresists in South Korea in the future. To this end, the company intends to invest about 30 billion yen (approximately 287.5 billion KRW) in both South Korea and Japan. Photoresists are key semiconductor materials, and Japanese companies hold a very high global market share.

This is interpreted as a strategy to respond to local demand in South Korea, which has major semiconductor companies, and to diversify production bases. However, specific locations and operation start dates have not yet been decided. Previously, Sumitomo Chemical was also reported to build a cleaning chemical plant used in semiconductor manufacturing in Iksan, Jeonbuk, expected to start operations in 2027. Japanese company JSR also held a groundbreaking ceremony for a metal photoresist (MOR) factory in Cheongju, Chungbuk, last November.

Additionally, Sumitomo Chemical plans to invest about 20 billion yen (approximately 191.7 billion KRW) in equipment at its Osaka factory to strengthen development processes.

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