Rebirth 1984: Starting from the development of Hanka

Chapter 94
Tokyo Ohka, JSR, Sumitomo Chemical, and Fujifilm occupy more than 70% of the photoresist market.

Once the supply of photoresist is cut off, the fab will have to shut down.

Wujiang Microelectronics cannot always pin its hopes on the kindness and kindness of RB people, thinking that they will not cut off the supply.

The photoresist market is not big, less than $10 billion, but it is extremely important.

In the previous life, both domestic lithography machines and photoresists were dominated by foreign countries.

The production of photoresist is also very difficult, not only its formula, but the most difficult thing to break through is the process. Among them, the exposure equipment and photosensitive detection equipment are far behind foreign countries.

In addition, RB also has a high degree of monopoly in the field of photoresist important raw materials such as photoinitiators and resins.

Therefore, Zhao Ye now wants to develop photoresist, not only to study the formula and process of photoresist, but also to invest in the research and production of important raw materials for photoresist such as photoinitiator and resin. The investment is relatively large, but no matter how large the investment is, it must be Do.If Zhao Ye doesn't do it, no one in China will do it.

Just imagine, once the supply of photoresist is cut off and the fab shuts down, so much manpower and financial resources that Zhao Ye invested in Wujiang Microelectronics will be wasted.

Zhao Ye believes that Western countries headed by the United States can definitely do it.

Therefore, self-reliance is the kingly way.

Huang Kun, Qin Guogang, Wang Shouwu, Wang Wei and other academicians are very keen to help Zhao Ye establish "Wujiang Photoresist Co., Ltd.".

So, Zhao Ye entrusted them with this matter, and he had to pay for it in the end.

……

Photoresist occupies the highest point of electronic materials and is crucial to the development of the country.

Regardless of upstream raw materials, it is mainly midstream manufacturing, which is mainly divided into three types: PCB photoresist, LCD photoresist, and semiconductor photoresist, which correspond to downstream applications: PCB industry, panel industry, and semiconductor industry.Finally, there are electronic product application terminals, such as mobile phones, home appliances, aerospace, automotive electronics, and so on.

It is not difficult to see that the development of photoresist is crucial to the development of a country's scientific research and industrial development.

In the previous life, semiconductor photoresist can be divided into five categories according to different exposure wavelengths: g-line (436nm), i-line (365nm), KrF (248nm), ArF (193nm) and emerging EUV photoresist. High-end photoresist Refers to KrF, ArF and EUV photoresists, the higher the grade, the higher the limit resolution, the greater the silicon wafer wiring density in the same area, and the better the performance.

The current semiconductor manufacturing process is not so advanced, and the mainstream process is between 800-1200nm, so a lithography light source with a wavelength of 436nm is sufficient.

China began to study photoresists in the 70s.

The photoresist giant JSR only entered the photoresist field in 1979.But JSR's semiconductor photoresists gradually cover from g-line to EUV.

And China directly gave up the research and development of photoresist in the 80s.

However, it is no wonder that the decision at the time was backward everywhere, and all aspects were monopolized by foreign countries. It was as difficult as ever to develop photoresist.

But now, Loongson Design Company, Wujiang Microelectronics Company and Wujiang Group have realized the industrial closed loop from chip design to chip production and downstream application terminals of chips.This ushers in a historic opportunity for domestic photoresists and provides impetus for the development of photoresists.In order not to get stuck, 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 took action, explored and discussed, mobilized resources, and established Wujiang Photoresist Co., Ltd.

Among them, Wujiang Group invested 3 million yuan, holding 60% of the shares.

The headquarters of Wujiang Photoresist Co., Ltd. is located next to Wujiang Microelectronics.For photoresist manufacturers, in addition to being used for research and development, the lithography machine is also one of the indispensable inspection and testing equipment in the mass production of photoresist.

……

When Wujiang Photoresist Co., Ltd. was established in China, several major photoresist giants of RB, as well as lithography machine giants Canon and Nikon, got together to discuss the matter of curbing the development of Wujiang Microelectronics.

"Although Wujiang Microelectronics was established for a short time, it has developed rapidly and has a strong background. It is composed of major research institutions in China, and there is also the support of Wujiang Group behind it. If Wujiang Microelectronics develops, it will not only threaten my country's lithography machines. industry, and it will also have an impact on the photoresist industry.”

Nikon executive Yamada Nichihiro said in a deep voice, "There is a saying in China, 'If there is no skin, there will be no hair'. If the RB photolithography machine is defeated, can the RB photoresist industry still develop? China has advanced lithography machines, wouldn’t it be possible to develop photoresist by itself? Everyone knows the relationship between China and Japan. How can China let us RB people get stuck on photoresist?”

"On the side of the couch, how can you allow others to snore! The overlord of the Asian lithography machine must be our RB people!"

"Matsumoto-kun, Ms. Ito, Inoue-kun... Please everyone, I can no longer provide photoresist to Wujiang Microelectronics, please stop the supply!!!"

Hiroshi Yamada looked at the managers of Tokyo Ohka, JSR, Sumitomo Chemical, and Fujifilm, and persuaded them with a serious expression.

The four persons in charge looked at each other. The denial of the confession was too serious, but Hitoshi Yamada was right when he said, "If there is no skin, there will be no hair." The rapid development of the RB photoresist industry has to be said to have benefited from the support of Canon and Nikon.

If Canon and Nikon collapse, the RB photoresist industry will also decline.

Taro Matsumoto, the person in charge of Tokyo Ohka, said in a deep voice: "Kun Yamada is right. We must prevent the rise of Wujiang Microelectronics. We, Tokyo Ohka, have agreed to impose sanctions on Wujiang Microelectronics!"

Jun Ito, the person in charge of JSR, frowned and said: "If we cut off the supply to Wujiang Microelectronics, we may also cause a lot of losses, so it is better to increase the price..."

Yamada Rijin interrupted: "Miss Ito, the price increase will not kill Wujiang Microelectronics, but will make the other party firm in its determination to independently develop photoresist!"

Jun Ito opened his mouth when he heard the words, but couldn't speak, because Hitoshi Yamada was right.

Boom boom boom!
There was a sudden knock on the door.

At this time, a female secretary in office uniform hurried in.

"Yamada-kun, an important news just came from China!"

"Keiko, what's the news from China?" Hitoshi Yamada asked.

"Just this morning, the Chinese government and Wujiang Group established Wujiang Photoresist Co., Ltd., officially entering the photoresist industry! However, the news has not spread yet. The Chinese side seems to be deliberately concealing it, but our people still investigated it." The beautiful female secretary named Keiko looked at the heads of the four photoresist giants including Matsumoto Taro and Ito Jun, and then slowly replied.

As soon as the words fell, everyone present was shocked at first, then angry and panicked.

Ms. Jun Ito said at this time: "We, JSR, also support the implementation of sanctions against Wujiang Microelectronics Co., Ltd. to cut off the supply of photoresist!!!"

Yamada Rijin was overjoyed when he heard the words.

(End of this chapter)