ASM, a global semiconductor company from the Netherlands, is investing $100 million in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province, to further expand its R&D and manufacturing facilities and begin expanding the supply of PEALD, which is used in advanced semiconductor processes.

On the 23rd, ASM held a press conference at the Chosun Palace Seoul Gangnam and announced the expansion of the 2nd Manufacturing Research and Innovation Center and domestic investment plans.

The event was attended by ASM CEO Benjamin Loh and ASM Korea's Korean branch, ASMK Chairman Yonggil Kim.

As a market leader in ALD equipment for over 50 years, ASM has been supplying its cutting-edge equipment to various fields including semiconductors, medical, and automotive.

Following the signing of a $100 million investment MOU with the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy in February, ASM plans to hold a groundbreaking ceremony for the 2nd Manufacturing Research and Innovation Center in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province on the 24th.

The 2nd Manufacturing Research and Innovation Center plans to produce PEALD (Plasma-enhanced atomic layer deposition) equipment.

PEALD equipment is essential equipment used in semiconductor ultra-fine processes, and demand for it is increasing as semiconductor technology advances.

ASM has offices in 15 countries around the world. However, this equipment is only produced in Korea.

This is because major Korean semiconductor companies are focused on advanced processes, and it is known that this expansion was also due to a request from semiconductor customers.

The ASM Mars Research, Development and Manufacturing Center currently employs more than 460 people, a number that will continue to grow as the facility expands.

The existing center is approximately 20,000 square meters in size, and when the Hwaseong 2nd Manufacturing Research and Innovation Center is completed, an additional 31,000 square meters of space will be added over eight floors.

This expansion will more than double the research and development space at ASM’s Mars facility and nearly triple its manufacturing space.

In addition, at the groundbreaking ceremony for this expansion, we plan to donate 100 million won to support the development of underprivileged students, thereby contributing to the local community.

“This investment is more than just a facility expansion,” said Benjamin Loh, ASM CEO. “It reflects ASM’s commitment to Korea and our ambition to continue growing ASM’s business here. “We will continue to support Korea in developing cutting-edge technologies so that it can lead world-class semiconductor innovation,” he said.

“The Hwaseong 2nd Manufacturing Research and Innovation Center is an investment that will accommodate the rapidly growing number of domestic employees while also reflecting Korea’s role in responding to global demand for advanced semiconductors,” said Yong-Gil Kim, Chairman of ASM Korea, ASM.

Meanwhile, ASM has been operating in Korea since 1989, and established its subsidiary, ASMK Co., Ltd. in 1995, growing Korea into ASM's core global technology development and manufacturing region.