LG Chem has begun supplying semiconductor strippers to Amkor Technology, a major US-based packaging and testing provider, in its first commercial move into the market. The deal highlights rising demand for advanced chip-making chemicals as artificial intelligence, high-bandwidth memory, and smaller device designs reshape global semiconductor manufacturing.
Supplying customized strippers
According to South Korean outlets, including ChosunBiz, Thelec, and SEDaily, LG Chem said the product is a customized stripper for Amkor's new production line. Semiconductor strippers remove photoresist and other residual materials from wafers after circuit patterns are formed, a step that has become increasingly important as chips shrink and production tolerances tighten.
The company said its new material cuts photoresist and residue removal time by about half compared with earlier products, which could help improve manufacturing efficiency and yield. LG Chem added that it developed the product by building on capabilities from its display stripper business.
Kim Dong-chun, president of LG Chem, said the partnership with Amkor would strengthen the company's ability to develop materials tailored to customer processes.
Riding the advanced packaging wave
The supply agreement comes as chipmakers and packaging firms continue to invest in advanced packaging technologies to support artificial intelligence applications and demand for high-bandwidth memory. As packaging becomes more complex, industry observers say the need for high-performance process chemicals is increasing across the semiconductor supply chain.
LG Chem said winning its first semiconductor stripper customer shows it can meet the technical qualification standards of a major global packaging company. The company said in March that it aims to more than double its electronic materials business, expanding beyond display-related products into semiconductor packaging materials such as copper-clad laminates, die-attach films, and photo-imageable dielectric materials. According to TheElec, it also plans to invest KRW15 trillion (US$9.79 billion) in research and development by 2035.
Diversifying beyond displays
The move is part of LG Chem's broader effort to diversify its electronic materials business and gain a foothold in semiconductor manufacturing chemicals. Amkor, one of the world's largest OSAT providers, works with leading chipmakers worldwide on packaging and testing services.
Article edited by Jerry Chen
