Sumitomo Chemical is to start a full-scale study on reorganising three of its research laboratories in Japan. The company described this as “part of its efforts to accelerate the creation of next-generation businesses”.

The plan includes building a new facility at Osaka as a base for incubation and open innovation by Q3 2024. This has research capabilities in safety assessment, industrial technologies and business sector-led projects in ICT and life sciences.

Sumitomo Chemical is to install new lines to expand production capacity for photoresists for advanced semiconductor photolithography processes, including argon fluoride (ArF) immersion and extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography, at its Osaka Works. These are due to commence operation in 1H fiscal 2022.