China is making significant progress in developing its own supply chain for high-purity photoresists, a critical component in advanced chip manufacturing. This comes as China strives to build a self-sufficient semiconductor industry.
The Importance of Photoresists
Photoresists are essential for creating chips on advanced production nodes. They are categorized by exposure wavelengths, including:
- Broadband UV (300–450nm)
- G-line (436nm)
- I-line (365nm)
- KrF (248nm)
- ArF (193nm)
- EUV (13.5nm)
- Electron beam types
The most advanced photoresists, KrF, ArF, and EUV, are dominated by major players from Japan and the U.S., such as JSR, Tokyo Ohka Kogyo, Shin-Etsu Chemical, Sumitomo Chemical, Fujifilm, and DuPont.
China's Progress
Chinese companies such as Shanghai Sinyang, Rachem, and Bcpharma have made progress in producing entry-level photoresists, but they face challenges in competing in the high-end market. Currently, China's domestic penetration rates remain low for these types:
- Approximately 20% for g-line and i-line photoresists
- Under 5% for KrF
- Below 1% for ArF
Recent Developments
However, there are signs of progress. Hubei Dinglong recently announced that its ArF and KrF photoresists passed customer evaluations and received orders from two domestic wafer manufacturers, totaling over ¥1 million ($137 thousand). They achieved this by customizing monomer and resin structures and enhancing processes for a fully localized production.
Rongda Company secured approval for a ¥244 million ($33.493 million) private placement to fund high-end photoresist projects and other related materials. These funds will support R&D and operational needs.
Government Support and Future Outlook
China's rapidly expanding microelectronics manufacturing base is driving demand for local photoresist solutions. The Chinese government is actively supporting the semiconductor and raw materials industries to encourage domestic innovation and reduce dependence on foreign suppliers.
While challenges persist, China's photoresist industry is gradually closing the technology gap, promising to expand its market share in high-end applications.
