Korea Zinc discusses semiconductor-grade sulfuric acid supply with Micron Technology, Inc. and Intel

[Financial News] Korea Zinc has discussed semiconductor-grade sulfuric acid supply options with major semiconductor companies, including Micron Technology, Inc., Intel and GlobalFoundries, as it seeks to enter the U.S. semiconductor materials market. The company plans to build a production line for semiconductor-grade sulfuric acid at its planned integrated smelter in the United States and pursue commercialization after local customers verify product quality and the parties negotiate supply terms.
Korea Zinc announced on the 29th that it took part in SEMICON West 2026, a semiconductor industry trade show held in San Francisco, United States, from the 13th to the 15th, and discussed the possibility of supplying semiconductor-grade sulfuric acid in the United States with global semiconductor companies and related businesses.
Korea Zinc said it discussed terms for supplying semiconductor-grade sulfuric acid in the United States with Micron Technology, Inc. and also explored ways to expand cooperation into key materials such as germanium. It exchanged views with Intel on product quality and raw material characteristics. Intel said the quality of semiconductor-grade sulfuric acid produced from materials generated in the smelting process would need to be verified, and plans to consider whether to proceed with supply based on the results of future sample tests.
With GlobalFoundries, Korea Zinc discussed potential cooperation in the U.S. market, building on its existing supply record in Singapore. For TSMC’s production facilities in Arizona, United States, it discussed supplying semiconductor-grade sulfuric acid through Sumitomo Chemical. It also discussed existing supply cooperation for TSMC with Taiwan’s Kanto-PPC.
Semiconductor-grade sulfuric acid is a material used in semiconductor manufacturing processes, including wafer cleaning, and requires high purity and stable quality. Korea Zinc produces ultra-high-purity semiconductor-grade sulfuric acid with a purity of at least 99.9999%, using sulfur dioxide (SO2) generated in its zinc and lead smelting processes.
Korea Zinc plans to build a local production line for semiconductor-grade sulfuric acid through Project Crucible, its U.S. integrated smelter construction project. Whether actual supplies will be made is expected to be decided after quality verification for each customer and negotiations on supply terms, including pricing.

[email protected] Kim Mi-hee Reporter