Sumitomo Chemical works with Tata

Sumitomo Chemical has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with India’s Tata Electronics to explore a possible collaboration in semiconductor fabrication. The company will examine specific measures aimed at establishing a stable supply system for materials, possibly including a semiconductor chemicals facility in India.

Sumitomo Chemical’s ICT & Mobility Solutions sector is one of its growth drivers and the semiconductor materials business has been designated as a priority area within it. The business offers advanced photoresists and semiconductor chemicals, being particularly known for high-purity chemicals.

In recent years, Sumitomo Chemical has expanded its semiconductor chemicals capacity in Japan and South Korea, while establishing a new base in Texas. Earlier this year, it acquired Asia Union Electronic Chemical, with facilities in Taiwan and Nevada. It has also begun operations at advanced high-purity chemical centres in Japan and South Korea to develop new processes and recycling technologies.

Another Japanese player, Nissan Chemical, has separately established a wholly-owned subsidiary in Zhangjiagang in China’s Jiangsu province. This will make anti-reflective coatings for the photoresists and multilayer materials used in semiconductors. The company said that demand for semiconductors in China has continued to expand, driven by ongoing digitalisation and other factors, whilecustomer demand for supply chain resilience has grown.