Japan approves the export of EUV photoresist to South Korea, and the crisis of Samsung and SK Hynix may be alleviated

This year, 7 month 1 Japan , The Japanese government announced restrictions on photoresist 、 Exports of key materials such as fluorinated polyimide and high-purity hydrogen fluoride to South Korea . South Korea needs to import these three kinds of raw materials from Japan in advance 90 Days to apply , These materials are used to produce flexible panel 、 Important raw materials for semiconductor chips , These two industries are the economic pillars of South Korea .

It's important to point out that , Japan has a monopoly advantage in these three key raw material markets . therefore , Japan's export restriction policy has seriously affected Samsung 、SK The normal operation and production of Hynix and other Korean semiconductor enterprises . For this reason, Samsung and SK Hynix executives also went to Japan before , Negotiate with Japanese suppliers , To solve the supply problem of key semiconductor raw materials , But they all failed .

After raw materials are limited , Samsung Electronics decided to use about... In the semiconductor production process 220 More than kinds of Japanese raw materials and chemicals , Replace all with domestic products or products from other countries .

In response to Japanese sanctions , The South Korean government also announced a huge investment plan , In the future 7 Investment in the year 7.8 Trillions of the won （ About us 65 Billion dollars or 449 RMB ） Research and develop domestic semiconductor materials and equipment , Reduce dependence on Japan .

however , It is unrealistic to replace Japanese semiconductor materials in a short time , After all, Japan has a very high market share and competitive advantage in many key semiconductor materials .

Recently, Korean media said , Samsung cut back on Galaxy Note 10 Smart phone Exynos Processor output , The share of production reduction has reached 10%. Besides ,SK Hynix also cut the production of memory chips .

however , Now the situation seems to have a new turn .

8 month 8 Japan , According to foreign media reports , Japan recently approved the export to South Korea for the first time EUV Photoresist , This material is used in chip production , Help manufacturers draw chips on silicon crystal , This material is very important for Samsung . However, Samsung declined to comment on this news .

And the move does not mean the thaw of trade between Japan and South Korea , South Korean officials said ：“ They only approved one product on the ban list .” And recently, Japan kicked South Korea out of trade preferences “ White list ”.

edit ： Smart core - Woods