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OCI Expands Semiconductor-Grade Phosphoric Acid Capacity in Second Half to Meet Growing Orders, Strengthening Its Position as a Leading Advanced Materials Company- OCI to boost production capacity by 20% through debottlenecking in response to rising orders- The company currently supplies major Korean chipmakers, including Samsung Electronics and SK hynix, and plans phased expansions in line with growing domestic and global demand- Accelerating its growth in advanced materials through the expansion of semiconductor chemicals and next-generation battery materials- Vice Chairman Yoo-Shin Kim stated, “We will drive long-term growth by strengthening our competitiveness in advanced materials for semiconductors and batteries.”OCI, a key materials producer, announced plans to expand its production of semiconductor-grade phosphoric acid in the second half of the year, leveraging process optimization (debottlenecking) to increase capacity by 5,000 metric tons (MT). The expansion will boost the company’s annual capacity from 25,000 MT to 30,000 MT.OCI is the market leader for semiconductor-grade phosphoric acid in Korea and currently supplies all major domestic semiconductor manufacturers—including Samsung Electronics, SK key foundry, and DB HiTek—backed by over 18 years of experience and technical know-how. In 2024, it became the first domestic supplier of phosphoric acid to SK hynix, further solidifying its leadership in the Korean market and reinforcing its position as a key semiconductor materials provider.Phosphoric acid is a critical chemical used in the wafer etching process in semiconductor manufacturing. OCI’s product is a versatile material applicable to DRAM, NAND flash and foundry manufacturing processes, and its demand is expected to grow steadily with the recovery of the global semiconductor market.The company has been expanding its client base steadily, securing both new customers such as SK hynix and increasing volumes to existing clients including DB HiTek. In addition, Samsung Electronics recently announced a KRW 23 trillion foundry supply deal with Tesla, raising expectations for expanded operations at its Taylor, Texas and domestic fabs starting in 2026. OCI had already been selected in 2023 as the phosphoric acid supplier for Samsung’s Taylor plant in Texas, and it is expected to benefit once the plant begins full-scale operations.The newly announced capacity increase is scheduled for completion in the first half of 2026. The company also plans to pursue further phased expansions depending on customer demand and new business opportunities.OCI also forecasts steady long-term revenue growth from hydrogen peroxide, another core semiconductor material produced by the company. OCI has been manufacturing hydrogen peroxide since 1979 and currently operates with an annual capacity of 125,000 tons. While legacy semiconductor production has slowed recently, downstream inventory depletion and a projected recovery in output at major clients like Samsung Electronics are expected to support gradual sales growth. The company is also focused on expanding its domestic and international customer base.In addition, OCI has completed the mechanical construction of a new facility for producing a specialty material used in next-generation silicon anode for Li-ion battery. The silicon anode significantly improves both the energy efficiency and safety of conventional Li-ion batteries and the OCI’s specialty material is essential to the production of the advanced silicon anodes. OCI has signed a long-term supply agreement with UK-based silicon anode manufacturer Nexeon and aims to begin mass production in 2026.Vice Chairman Yoo-Shin Kim said, “We will continue to grow our semiconductor materials businesses, including phosphoric acid and hydrogen peroxide, through proactive customer expansion. At the same time, we aim to scale new businesses that create synergy with our existing operations. By aligning with rising demand in semiconductors and next-generation batteries, we will strengthen our competitiveness and drive long-term growth in the advanced materials sector.” (End)  

OCI Enters High-Value Semiconductor Material Business with Pitch for Isotropic Artificial Graphite- OCI begins initial supply of pitch for isotropic artificial graphite, a key semiconductor material, to Ibiden Graphite Korea- Strengthening market leadership and contributes to localization of pitch as the one of the world’s largest liquid pitch producers- Plans to expand high-value artificial graphite pitch business by actively broadening customer base- OCI aims to maximize profitability and secure long-term growth momentum by expanding semiconductor and advanced materials businessesOCI is accelerating its expansion into the pitch market—used as a raw material for isotropic artificial graphite in semiconductor applications—as it broadens its portfolio of high-value-added semiconductor materials.On July 15th, OCI announced that it has commenced the first delivery of pitch for isotropic artificial graphite to Ibiden Graphite Korea Co., Ltd., the only manufacturer of isotropic artificial graphite in Korea. This material is essential in semiconductor and advanced material industries.Isotropic artificial graphite is a high-purity, heat-resistant material with excellent electrical conductivity and structural stability at high temperatures. It is widely used in industrial molds for melting and casting key materials. In specific, it is often used in the semiconductor industry, it serves as a crucible for melting polysilicon into ingots during wafer manufacturing, as well as a component for heating wafers during deposition processes. Additionally, it is a essential material in advanced defense applications such as missiles and fighter jets, and in nuclear power industry for use in neutron moderators.As one of the world’s largest liquid pitch producers, OCI manufactures approximately 520,000 metric tons of liquid pitch annually in Korea and China and holds exclusive domestic production technology. While OCI’s pitch has traditionally been used as a binder in aluminum smelting electrodes, its applications are expanding as a raw material for isotropic artificial graphite — a material gaining prominence in semiconductors and other high-tech industries. Until now, pitch used in isotropic artificial graphite has been fully dependent on imports. OCI's domestic production and supply marks a significant step in localizing this strategic material. By supplying Ibiden Graphite Korea, OCI aims to further solidify its leadership in the high-value pitch market.The global market for isotropic artificial graphite is valued at approximately $3 billion (approximately KRW 4.2 trillion) and is expected to grow steadily alongside the recovery of the semiconductor industry and the expansion of the defense sector. This will likely drive continued demand for isotropic artificial graphite pitch. OCI plans to increase its pitch production through process optimization of existing facilities without additional investment, and to proactively expand its customer base in response to growing market needs.Despite a challenging business environment, OCI is focusing on strengthening its competitiveness in high-value materials, especially in semiconductors and secondary batteries, to drive mid- to long-term growth. In the second half of 2024, OCI will begin its first-ever domestic supply of semiconductor-grade phosphoric acid to SK Hynix and plans to gradually expand capacity in line with growing demand. With the February 2025 acquisition of P&O Chemical shares and ongoing customer engagement efforts, OCI also expects to expand its semiconductor-grade hydrogen peroxide business.Furthermore, the company is actively entering new high-value material businesses, including specialty materials for silicon anodes and expansion of conductive carbon black used in high-voltage cables.OCI Vice Chairman Yoo-Shin Kim stated, "Starting with this supply to Ibiden, we will continue to expand our pitch business for semiconductor applications and diversify into other high-tech fields such as defense and small modular reactors (SMRs). We aim to increase the share of high-value added materials in our portfolio to maximize profitability and secure long-term growth momentum." 

OCI Expands Supply of Semiconductor Phosphoric Acid to Domestic Manufacturers, including DB HiTek’s Bucheon Plant- OCI started suppling semiconductor phosphoric acid to DB Hi Tek’s plant in Bucheon this month. - Expanding supply to the plant in Bucheon, in addition to the Sangwoo plant, demonstrates that OCI’s product quality and stable supply are recognized by customers. - This expansion further proves OCI’s excellent product quality following its selection as a supplier to SK Hynix in August.OCI started supplying semiconductor phosphoric acid to DB HiTek, a domestic chip foundry specialist, this month. This expanded supply to DB HiTek further demonstrates OCI's competitive quality in semiconductor phosphoric acid following its designation as the first domestic manufacturer to supply semiconductor phosphoric acid to SK Hynix in August.Since OCI began producing semiconductor phosphoric acid in 2007, its Gunsan plant produced 25,000 tons annually, and is supplying domestic chip makers such as Samsung Electronics, SK Hynix, and SK keyfoundry. The semiconductor phosphoric acid produced by OCI is essential for wafer etching in the semiconductor fabrication process, and plays a crucial role in precisely removing unnecessary parts of wafers to create circuits.DB HiTek, a Korean foundry company that specializes in 8-inch semiconductors, operates two plants, one in Bucheon (FAB1) and another in Sangwoo (FAB2). DB HiTek increased its production capacity in the first half of this year, and the Bucheon plant now produces 91,000 wafers per month, while the Sangwoo plant makes 63,000 wafers per month.OCI has consistently worked to increase its supply to DB HiTek’s plant in Bucheon since it began providing semiconductor phosphoric acid to the Sangwoo plant in 2021. It is generally more challenging to supply products to a production line where other products are already in use than to supply them to a new plant, which makes this supply expansion particularly significant.OCI has dedicated manpower exclusively for DB HiTek to supply products that meet DB HiTek’s specifications and production line characteristics. It has actively cooperated in close communication with the customer. OCI has also focused on R&D to improve product quality and production processes, and strives to ensure a stable supply and secure raw materials. As a result of DB HiTek recognizing OCI’s superior product quality and supply stability, OCI’s supply to the plant in Bucheon was achieved. In August, OCI became the first domestic manufacturer to be selected as a semiconductor phosphoric acid supplier to SK Hynix. This month, OCI expanded its supply to DB HiTek’s plant in Bucheon, underscoring the high regard for OCI’s product quality and competitiveness among domestic semiconductor manufacturers. OCI aims to further expand the sale of semiconductor phosphoric acid by flexibly responding to the growing demand of customers and leveraging its superior product competitiveness.OCI President Yoo Shin Kim said, "The success in supplying semiconductor phosphoric acid to DB HiTek’s plant in Bucheon is a significant achievement. In the future, we will further strengthen our competitiveness by maintaining superior production quality and supply stability. Our goal is to secure an exclusive position as a core materials company in the semiconductor sector.”