In order to create materials for glass substrates, a crucial part of next-generation artificial intelligence (AI) chips, Samsung Electro-Mechanics has formed a strategic relationship with local materials startup Soulbrain. By 2027, the partnership hopes to mass-produce these substrates, extending the ecosystem of Samsung Electro-Mechanics’ supply chain.
On January 14, industry sources said that the two companies had started investigating etching solutions used in glass substrate production. These solutions are essential for eliminating impurities produced during the process and drilling tiny holes in the glass.
Samsung Display has a history of using etching solutions from Soulbrain, the biggest chemical materials manufacturer for IT products in South Korea. The effectiveness of Soulbrain’s etching solution technology on glass substrates is of great relevance due to the substantial use of glass in OLED screens.
As the base layer that facilitates the seamless transfer of electrical impulses between semiconductor chips and electronic devices, glass substrates are crucial for next-generation semiconductors. The development of large-area semiconductor substrates is now a difficulty.
Multiple high-bandwidth memory (HBMs) and computing units are required to operate as a single semiconductor as the AI future draws closer.
Due to their tendency to bend when heated and the requirement for thickness in order to drill fine circuits, current plastic substrates are limited in large-area applications. However, glass substrates are more resilient to heat and have a flat surface, allowing for the creation of larger substrates.
With the belief that their period would begin in a few years, Samsung Electro-Mechanics is speeding up the commercialization of glass substrates. At its plant in Sejong, the company has already set up a glass substrate test line, and this year it intends to start producing prototypes.
The company is working with several domestic and foreign suppliers of materials, parts, and equipment, including Soulbrain, to establish a supply chain in order to carry out this goal. The business is investigating other manufacturing techniques and pledged collaboration with German glass processing companies LPKF and domestic Chemtronics last year.
Research on commercialization is also being conducted within the Samsung Group, with Samsung Electro-Mechanics sharing compatibility and glass process expertise for semiconductors and glass substrates with Samsung Electronics and Samsung Display.
Key Comments
Samsung Electro-Mechanics President Chang Duk-hyun said, “We cannot mention specific customers, but we are in discussions with several customers,” during a press briefing on January 9 (local time) at CES 2025 in Las Vegas. He also added, “We plan to supply prototypes to 2-3 customers this year.”
There are other domestic conglomerates pursuing glass substrates besides Samsung Electro-Mechanics. At the SK Group booth at CES 2025, SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won displayed a glass substrate manufactured by SKC subsidiary Absolix and said, “I just sold it.” At CES 2025, Moon Hyuk-soo, CEO of LG Innotek, also declared that the company would begin mass-producing glass substrates by the end of 2025.