Expansions: Fujifilm invests EUR25 mn in semiconductor materials capacity in Belgium; Lummus licenses superabsorbent tech in China

Japan’s Fujifilm Corporation says it will install new production facilities of CMP slurries, advanced semiconductor materials, and enhance existing facilities for photolithography-related materials at its production site located in Belgium, where demand for automotive semiconductors and industrial semiconductors supporting the DX of manufacturing processes at factories is expected to grow. It has invested EUR25 million to expand the production capacity of its Belgium site, based in Zwijndrecht, Antwerp, to start up by 2026.

Driven by high-speed, high-capacity communications through 5G/6G, the expansion of autonomous driving, and the spread of AI and the metaverse, demand for semiconductors is expected to increase and their performance is projected to advance as well.

Fujifilm adds it is making proactive growth investments in the semiconductor materials business. Globally, Fujifilm plans to invest a total of 170 billion yen in growth, including R&D and capital investments, over the three years from fiscal 2024 to 2026, to expand the production capacity of semiconductor materials. The recent investment includes the enhancement of the development, production, and quality evaluation functions for advanced resists at its Shizuoka and Pyeongtaek, South Korea sites, as well as the expansion of the CMP slurry production facilities at its Kumamoto site in Japan.

In Europe, new production facilities for CMP slurries, which are used in advanced semiconductors, are expected to show a high annual growth rate of 13%. In addition to existing CMP slurry production sites in Arizona, US, Hsinchu and Tainan of Taiwan, Cheonan, South Korea, and Kikuyo Town, Kumamoto Prefecture, this network will be expanded by this new production capability in Belgium.

Fujifilm offers semiconductor materials used in wafer processing to post processing in semiconductor manufacturing including photoresists, photolithography-related materials, CMP slurries, post-CMP cleaners, thin-film chemicals, polyimides and high-purity process chemicals, as well colour filter materials for image sensors.

In other news, process tech firm Lummus Technology, has announced an award from SHCCIG Yulin Chemical Co Ltd, a subsidiary of the SHCCIG Group, for its superabsorbent polymer (SAP) technology.

This marks the first commercial deployment of Lummus' SAP technology since it was added to the company's portfolio in 2023.

Lummus' scope for the award includes the technology license, process design package, technical services and training for a 40 kilotonnes/year unit at SHCCIG Yulin Chemical's complex in Shaanxi Province, China.

Superabsorbent polymers are widely used in hygiene, health and other consumer products that are in growing demand in many markets around the world. With SAP technology now part of its portfolio, Lummus offers an expanded range of polymer solutions, which can also be combined with its propylene technologies. This comprehensive offering positions Lummus for growth and strengthens its competitive position in the specialty polymer market.

"We are honoured to be selected by SHCCIG Yulin Chemical and look forward to executing this project with them," said Romain Lemoine, Chief Business Officer for Polymers and Petrochemicals, Lummus Technology. "Lummus acquired SAP technology to strengthen our position in the high-value polymer market and expand our offering across C3 value chain. The first commercial award for the technology solidifies our entrance into the market and reinforces our strategy to offer customers more integrated technology solutions."

"Lummus' technologies and expertise align with our vision for advancing high-value polymer production," said Xie Wuqiang, Vice President of SHCCIG Yulin. "We look forward to collaborating on this significant project to deliver products that meet market demands and drive value for our customers."

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