S.Korea’s Jaewon to locally produce key chipmaking solvent

A local petrochemical and electronic material maker, Jaewon Industrial Co., has succeeded in mass production of a core solvent in the extreme ultraviolet (EUV) process for semiconductor manufacturing, according to a KED Global report.

As a result, South Korean chipmakers are expected to reduce their imports for the solvent.

The petrochemical and electronic material maker achieved commercialization of propylene glycol methyl ether acetate (PGMEA), a solvent commonly used in the semiconductor industry for the application of surface adherent on silicon wafers, according to the sector’s sources on Friday.

Mass production of the solvent began at Jaewon’s plant 340 kilometers from the capital, Seoul.

“We are the first South Korean company to mass produce PGMEA, although some have succeeded in developing the solvent,” the company said.

“We decided to build a secondary battery materials plant in the US and we’re looking for a site. Once we find the land, we will mull a new PGMEA factory there,” said the source.

CT Bureau