[Editor's Note] Wonik Materials, a leading domestic semiconductor specialty gas company, received attention at home and abroad last year for its stable supply of rare gases even amid the shortage of semiconductor materials. As part of these efforts, it is analyzed that it recorded its best performance ever in 2022, and based on this, new items such as precursors, new etching gas products, and ammonia hydrogen that have been prepared are about to be supplied to customers in earnest, so future growth is drawing even more attention. In the meantime, Wonik Materials participated in 'SEMICON Korea 2023' held at COEX in Samseong-dong from the 1st to the 3rd. Accordingly, our magazine met with Wonik Materials CEO Han Jeong-wook at this exhibition and heard Wonik Materials’ story on securing a stable supply of semiconductor materials.

■ Please introduce Wonik Materials.

We, Wonik Materials, are a company that manufactures and sells high-purity, high-quality gases used in semiconductor manufacturing processes. Our main products cover almost all areas.

The main products include gas for CVD, gas for implant, clean gas, and etching gas, which we have developed ourselves and have been supplying since this year.

I can tell you that we manufacture and sell process gases that are essential for semiconductors and displays.

■ Wonik Materials' efforts to ensure a stable supply of semiconductor materials

In fact, last year, the year before last, and especially last year, there was a logistics crisis because of the Russia-Ukrainian war, and we also had significant difficulties in obtaining raw materials.

Fortunately, we had time to prepare for supply stabilization in advance since the year before last, and thanks to that, we were able to secure raw materials without any problems and supply semiconductor materials stably even in the difficult situation last year.

One of the factors behind this success is ultimately the diversification of supply sources. We expanded the supply from one or two companies to three or four.

In fact, it is something that should not be expanded starting tomorrow.

Because it is used in semiconductor processes, a certification period of at least 6 months or 10 months is required.

So we've been trying these things for the past two or three years, and I think they've played a very good role in difficult situations like last year.

This policy will continue to accelerate in the future, and we plan to strengthen supply stability in the future so that customers can ultimately trust us when they look to us for reliable supply.

■ Introduction of newly launched products and R&D activities to respond to the latest semiconductor processes

If we have focused on special gases in our manufacturing process so far, the area we will be expanding into in the future is the precursor area. We have been promoting the precursor business in the R&D area for the past 5-6 years. If it is properly verified, it will be a new area for us to enter.

Another one is an etching gas called COS, and since we have also completed the plant for that, we are looking at it as a new area where we can expand our sales this year.

Also, for the future, hydrogen energy is seen as an essential technology for future low-carbon policies, and we have been conducting research activities to produce eco-friendly ammonia-based hydrogen, and we expect that this will be verified as a mass production technology within this year.

If verified, I cautiously predict that it may also be possible to advance into the energy business starting in my later years.

This is also in line with the low-carbon policy, but the GWP index of etching gas is currently too high. We will begin full-scale development of a gas that can replace it this year.

We also expect that if this is successfully completed, it will be able to bring about a groundbreaking transformation in the current etching gas supply chain.

■ This year’s semiconductor market outlook and Wonik Materials’ management strategy for this year

Since the semiconductor market has already been predicted in the semiconductor industry, I do not have any plans to make any further predictions.

As expected, the first half of the year will be difficult, and we have a general view that it will recover somewhat in the second half, but what we have is that this is the time to prepare. In particular, what we are focusing on is to further strengthen competitiveness. This will include quality competitiveness, price competitiveness, and distribution competitiveness, and this is the area that we are focusing on the most.

If that competitiveness can be raised to the next level, I believe it will be put to full use when the opportunity arises.

We are focusing on developing and strengthening technology to prepare for the future as our key policies this year.

■ Please give a final word to E4DS NEWS readers.

Since we are also in the semiconductor-related industry, we believe that semiconductors are essential for our country to achieve sustainable growth, and as a company that supplies the materials, we will play a role in creating a foundation for growth and providing a foundation for growth through continuous research and development and cooperation with semiconductor companies.

I would be grateful if readers would also watch with interest.