"Cutting Imports and Starting Localization"...OCI, First Delivery of Semiconductor Core Material 'Pitch'

[Financial News] OCI announced on the 21st that it had made the first delivery of pitch for artificial graphite to Ibiden Graphite Korea, the only domestic company producing isotropic artificial graphite, on the 15th.
Isotropic artificial graphite is used in semiconductor core equipment such as △ingot containers for melting polysilicon △heating components for wafer deposition processes due to its high heat resistance and high purity characteristics. It is also an advanced material used in strategic fields such as △missiles and fighter jets in the defense industry △moderators in nuclear power plants.
The existing demand for pitch has been entirely dependent on imports, but the significance of this delivery lies in the success of localization with domestic technology.
OCI is one of the world's largest manufacturers, producing approximately 520,000 tons of liquid pitch annually, including pitch for aluminum smelting. The product supplied this time is pitch for isotropic artificial graphite, which requires high purity and high precision processing technology, and is also evaluated as a milestone in OCI's entry into the high-value semiconductor material market.
The global isotropic artificial graphite market is estimated to be around 3 billion dollars (approximately 4.2 trillion won), with stable growth expected due to the expansion of the semiconductor and defense industries. Consequently, the demand for pitch is also expected to increase rapidly.
OCI plans to expand production by optimizing the processes of existing facilities and to accelerate securing customers in line with the recovery of the semiconductor market and the increase in demand for artificial graphite.
Meanwhile, OCI is focusing on strengthening its competitiveness in the high-value material business as part of its mid- to long-term growth strategy, even in a challenging business environment. Currently, it is continuously expanding its high-value product lineup, including semiconductor-grade phosphoric acid and hydrogen peroxide supplied to SK Hynix, as well as conductive carbon black and special materials for silicon anodes.
Yoo-shin Kim, Vice Chairman of OCI Holdings, stated, "Starting with this first supply to Ibiden, we plan to continue expanding the semiconductor pitch business and broaden product supply to various advanced fields such as the defense industry and small reactors," adding, "We will maximize profitability and firmly establish a foundation for mid- to long-term growth by expanding the proportion of high-value materials."

moving@fnnews.com Lee Dong-hyuk Reporter