Tokyo Ohka Kogyo, JSR, Sumitomo Chemical, and Fujifilm account for more than 70% of the photoresist market share.
If the supply of photoresist is cut off, wafer fabs will have to shut down.
Wujiang Microelectronics can't keep pinning its hopes on the kindness and goodwill of the Japanese people, thinking they won't cut off supplies.
The market for photoresist is not large, less than $1 billion, but it is extremely important.
In the past, China was controlled by foreign countries in both lithography machines and photoresist.
The production of photoresist is also very difficult, not only in terms of its formula, but also in terms of the process. Among them, the exposure equipment and photosensitive inspection equipment are far behind those of foreign countries.
In addition, RB also has a high degree of monopoly in the fields of photoinitiators, resins and other important raw materials for photoresists.
Therefore, Zhao Ye's current task of developing photoresist involves not only researching photoresist formulations and processes, but also investing in the research and production of key raw materials such as photoinitiators and resins. The investment is substantial, but it's worth the effort. If Zhao Ye doesn't do it, no one else in China will.
Imagine if the photoresist supply were cut off and the wafer fabs were shut down, then all the human and financial resources that Zhao Ye had invested in Wujiang Microelectronics would have been wasted.
Zhao Ye believes that the Western countries, led by the United States, are absolutely capable of doing it.
Therefore, self-reliance is the only way forward.
Academicians Huang Kun, Qin Guogang, Wang Shouwu, Wang Wei and others were very enthusiastic about helping Zhao Ye establish "Boundless Photoresist Co., Ltd."
So Zhao Ye entrusted the matter to them, and he would just pay for it himself in the end.
...
Photoresist occupies a dominant position in electronic materials and is crucial to national development.
Leaving aside upstream raw materials, the main focus is on midstream manufacturing, which is primarily divided into three types: PCB photoresist, LCD photoresist, and semiconductor photoresist, corresponding to downstream applications: the PCB industry, the panel industry, and the semiconductor industry, respectively. Finally, there are the end-user electronic products, such as mobile phones, home appliances, aerospace, and automotive electronics.
It is easy to see that the development of photoresist is crucial to a country's scientific research, industrial development, and other aspects.
In the past, semiconductor photoresists were classified into five categories according to different exposure wavelengths: g-line (436nm), i-line (365nm), krf (248nm), arrf (193nm), and the emerging EUV photoresist. High-end photoresists refer to krf, arrf, and EUV photoresists. The higher the grade, the higher the limit resolution, the greater the wiring density of the silicon wafer of the same area, and the better the performance.
Current semiconductor manufacturing processes are not yet advanced, with mainstream processes ranging from 800 to 1200 nm. Therefore, a 436 nm wavelength photolithography light source is sufficient.
China began researching photoresist in the 1970s.
JSR, a giant in photoresist, only entered the field in 1979. However, JSR's semiconductor photoresists have gradually achieved comprehensive coverage from g-line to EUV.
China abandoned the research and development of photoresist in the 1980s.
However, this is understandable given the circumstances at the time. With everything lagging behind and foreign countries monopolizing the market, developing photoresist was an incredibly difficult task.
However, Loongson Design, Wujiang Microelectronics, and Wujiang Technology have now achieved a closed-loop industry chain from chip design to chip manufacturing and downstream applications. This presents a historic opportunity for domestically produced photoresist and provides impetus for its research and development. To avoid being held back by technological bottlenecks, independent research and development of photoresist is an inevitable choice.
Three weeks later, with the help of Huang Kun, Qin Guogang, Wang Shouwu, Wang Wei and others, the country began to take action, explore and discuss, mobilize resources and establish Wujiang Photoresist Co., Ltd.
Among them, Wujiang Company invested 300 million RMB, holding 60% of the shares.
The headquarters of Wujiang Photoresist Co., Ltd. is located next to Wujiang Microelectronics Co., Ltd. For photoresist manufacturers, in addition to their research and development applications, photoresist machines are also essential testing and inspection equipment for the large-scale mass production of photoresist.
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While Wujiang Photoresist Co., Ltd. was being established in China, several major Japanese photoresist giants, as well as lithography machine giants Canon and Nikon, gathered together to discuss ways to curb the development of Wujiang Microelectronics.
"Although Wujiang Microelectronics has been established for a short time, it has developed rapidly and has a strong background. It is composed of major research institutions in China and is supported by Wujiang Group. If Wujiang Microelectronics is allowed to develop, it will not only threaten my country's lithography machine industry, but also affect the photoresist industry."
Nikon executive Hiroshi Yamada said in a deep voice, "There is a Chinese saying, 'If the skin is gone, where will the hair attach?' If Japan's lithography machines are defeated, can Japan's photoresist industry still develop? China has advanced lithography machines, so why can't it develop its own photoresist? Everyone knows the state of Sino-Japanese relations. Would China let us Japanese people be held back by photoresist?"
"How can we allow others to snore beside our beds! The Asian lithography machine leader must be ours, the Japanese!"
"Matsumoto-kun, Ito-san, Inoue-kun... I'm begging you all, please stop supplying photoresist to Wujiang Microelectronics! Please cut off the supply!!!"
Yamada Hijikata looked at the heads of Tokyo Ohka Kogyo, JSR, Sumitomo Chemical, and Fujifilm, and gave them serious advice.
The four executives looked at each other in dismay. The supply disruption was too severe, but Yamada Hitoshi was right: "If the skin is gone, what will the hair cling to?" The rapid development of the RB photoresist industry is undoubtedly due to the support of Canon and Nikon.
If Canon and Nikon collapse, the RB photoresist industry will also decline.
Taro Matsumoto, head of Tokyo Ohka, said in a deep voice, "Mr. Yamada is right. We must stop the rise of Wujiang Microelectronics. Tokyo Ohka agrees to impose a supply cut-off on Wujiang Microelectronics!"
JSR's head, Jun Ito, frowned and said, "Cutting off supplies to Wujiang Microelectronics will likely cause us significant losses as well. Perhaps we should raise prices..."
Yamada Hiyoshi interrupted, "Ms. Ito, raising prices won't kill Wujiang Microelectronics Company; on the contrary, it will strengthen their determination to independently develop photoresist!"
Upon hearing this, Ito Jun opened his mouth but couldn't speak, because Yamada Hijikata was absolutely right.
Knock knock knock!
A knocking sounded suddenly.
Just then, a female secretary dressed in office attire hurriedly walked in.
"Yamada-kun, an important message has just come from China!"
"Keiko, what news has come from China?" Yamada Hijikata asked.
"This morning, the Chinese government, together with Wujiang Group, established Wujiang Photoresist Co., Ltd., officially entering the photoresist industry! However, this news has not yet spread, and the Chinese side seems to be intentionally concealing it, but our people still managed to find out." The beautiful female secretary named Huizi glanced at the four heads of photoresist giants, including Matsumoto Taro and Ito Jun, and then slowly replied.
As soon as he finished speaking, everyone present was first stunned, then angry and panicked.
Ms. Jun Ito then spoke up: "We at JSR also support imposing sanctions on Wujiang Microelectronics by cutting off their photoresist supply!!!"
Yamada Hijikata was overjoyed upon hearing this.
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