High purity CO2 supply urgently needed, Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix increase procurement efforts

According to Critini Research analyst Jukan citing industry news, high-purity CO2 required for advanced semiconductor processes is in short supply due to reduced upstream raw material output. Samsung Electronics consumes 1800 to 2000 tons per month, while SK Hynix consumes 600 to 700 tons per month. Currently, industry inventories have fallen below the one month red line. The price of liquefied CO2 has increased by about 20% compared to the beginning of the year, and suppliers such as Taekyung Chemical, Sundo Chemical, Dongkwang Chemical, and SK Air Plus are facing supply pressure. The situation in the Middle East has led to a decrease in the operating rate of petrochemical plants, which has affected the supply of CO2 raw materials as by-products.