Edwards, a leading British semiconductor equipment company, has inaugurated a new facility in Asan, South Chungcheong Province. (Image courtesy of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy)
SEOUL, May 16 (Korea Bizwire) – Edwards, a leading British semiconductor equipment company, has inaugurated a new facility in Asan, South Chungcheong Province, dedicated to producing crucial components for extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography processes.
The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced that Deputy Minister for Trade and Investment Choi Woo-seok attended the opening ceremony held on May 14 in Tangjeong-myeon, Asan, and delivered a congratulatory address.
Alongside Choi, the event was attended by officials from the South Chungcheong Province government, the city of Asan, the British Embassy in Seoul, and Edwards Korea, among others.
Edwards, the world’s top manufacturer of vacuum pumps for semiconductor manufacturing processes, is renowned for its cutting-edge competitiveness and infrastructure.
After establishing its Korean subsidiary in 1992, the company relocated all of its production facilities from the UK to South Korea in 2009. With the newly opened plant, Edwards now operates a total of five factories in Cheonan and Asan.
The new facility will focus on manufacturing integrated vacuum solutions and gas abatement systems for EUV lithography equipment.
Products manufactured in South Korea are exported not only to domestic semiconductor giants like Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix but also to major global players such as Intel, Micron, and TSMC in the United States and Taiwan, respectively.
In January, Cheong In-kyo, South Korea’s trade minister, visited Edwards’ Asan plant to discuss future investment plans and pledge support in resolving operational challenges.
The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy anticipates that the new plant will stabilize the component and equipment supply chain for the critical EUV lithography process, thereby bolstering the competitiveness of South Korea’s semiconductor component and equipment manufacturing sectors.
Additionally, the ministry expects strengthened cooperation with domestic and international semiconductor companies, annual export revenues exceeding 300 billion won, and job creation in the region.
In his remarks, Choi emphasized the investment’s significance, stating, “Edwards’ latest investment holds great importance in terms of economic security.” He urged the company to “play a crucial role in driving innovation and shaping the future of South Korea’s semiconductor industry.”
Kevin Lee (kevinlee@koreabizwire.com)
