The semiconductor industry (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
SEJONG, Dec. 17 (Korea Bizwire) — South Korea’s industry ministry said Tuesday the country has kicked off its first domestic production of filters using nanotechnology, paving the way for the self-supply of a critical product needed to produce semiconductors.
The production began at the factory of Synopex Inc. in Dongtan, 40 kilometers south of Seoul, with a capacity that is sufficient to meet the entire domestic demand, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy.
South Korea has been relying entirely on imports for the material, with annual demand estimated at 8,000 units or 100 billion won (US$69.5 million), the ministry said.
The government allocated 12.3 billion won for the project in line with efforts to accelerate research projects aimed at supporting the materials, parts and equipment industries and stabilizing supply chains.
The filters produced by Synopex will be used in chip production by Samsung Electronics Co. and SK hynix Inc., the ministry added.
“The government will continue to roll out investment in research and development projects for cutting-edge industries to secure a stable supply chain,” said Industry Policy Deputy Minister Lee Seung-ryeol.
(Yonhap)
