Edge Foundry Sees Results from Hanwha Intelligence Merger... Launches Full-Scale Mass Production Line

From the top left clockwise: wafer bonding equipment, scanner equipment, automatic wet cleaning equipment, track equipment. Provided by Edge Foundry

Edge Foundry announced on December 8 that it has officially established a mass production system for its infrared (IR) sensors and the thermal imaging module 'Thermo-K', marking the start of full-scale production.

Edge Foundry stated that it has secured the capacity to mass-produce 5,000 units per month of QVGA-class uncooled thermal imaging sensors, and is now operating its production line at full scale. This figure is based on a single line operating for 11 hours, and the company plans to sequentially expand mass production of VGA-class sensors and the Thermo-K module in the first quarter of 2026.

This achievement is described as the culmination of the company’s vertical integration strategy spanning the entire process of 'sensor technology - manufacturing - module', which has been driven primarily by the merger with Hanwha Intelligence completed in March this year. Hanwha Intelligence, established in 2021, possesses core technologies for multipurpose applications such as defense thermal imaging sensors, automotive night vision, and industrial/mobile sensors. Through the merger, these technological capabilities and manufacturing infrastructure have been integrated into Edge Foundry, enabling the company to establish an independent mass production base for thermal imaging sensors.

Following the merger, Edge Foundry has focused on internalizing key processes and enhancing productivity to advance the mass production of thermal imaging sensors and Thermo-K modules. Since September, the company has completed the introduction of new equipment such as wafer-level vacuum packaging (WLVP), wafer bonding and plating equipment, and automatic wet cleaning equipment, as well as the expansion of its fabrication facility (FAB). This has enabled Edge Foundry to establish a complete production line capable of independently handling all essential processes required for thermal imaging sensor manufacturing, including deposition, photoresist (PR), etching, and cleaning. As a result, the company has also secured a stable structure for mass-producing the core sensor components of Thermo-K without relying on external sources.

The company plans to further enhance cost competitiveness by improving processes, changing packaging methods, and applying its expertise in impurity management to increase the overall mass production yield of sensors and modules. With the confirmed introduction of additional equipment such as scanner equipment, high-precision etching equipment, and PECVD deposition equipment, production rates and efficiency are expected to improve even further.

Edge Foundry has expanded its market applications this year through the initial supply of Thermo-K and collaborative projects involving AI drones and automotive sensors.

With the completion of its mass production system, Edge Foundry is transitioning from a design-focused company to a 'fully vertically integrated sensor company' capable of simultaneously mass-producing sensors and modules, thereby securing a foundation for substantial revenue growth. A representative from Edge Foundry stated, "Now that the mass production systems for thermal imaging sensors and Thermo-K have been stabilized simultaneously, next year will mark the first year of a significant increase in product supply. We will expand our sensor business in the defense, commercial, and automotive sectors in a balanced manner to translate the benefits of the merger into tangible business growth."

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