In the rapid development of the modern electronics industry, electronic specialty gases serve as critical supporting materials, acting like unsung heroes that quietly drive technological innovations in fields such as semiconductors, display panels, and photovoltaics. Today, let us delve into the world of electronic specialty gases and explore the renowned domestic and international companies shining in this field.
1. Domestic Companies
(1) Huate Gas
Founded in 1999 and located in Foshan, Guangdong, Huate Gas has focused on the research and production of gases and gas equipment since its inception. Its product range covers over 200 varieties across more than a dozen series, including industrial gases and gases for the electronics industry. The company has achieved remarkable results in integrated circuits, photovoltaics, and panels, successfully replacing many imported products. Notably, its photolithography gases, which are key materials in the chip manufacturing photolithography process, have four types that successfully passed certification by ASML in the Netherlands, a unique achievement in China that provides strong support for breaking foreign technology blockades in chip manufacturing. In the first half of 2023, the company reported revenue of 741 million yuan, maintaining its industry-leading position despite market fluctuations, thanks to its deep technological accumulation and continuous innovation.
(2) Nanda Optoelectronics
Established in 2000, Nanda Optoelectronics originated from Professor Sun Xiangzhen’s research project on MO sources. After years of development, it has become a diversified electronic materials company. In the field of electronic specialty gases, hydrogen-based specialty gases such as high-purity phosphine and arsine are key supporting materials for integrated circuits and LED fabrication. Nanda Optoelectronics has reached international advanced levels in MO source synthesis, purification technology analysis, and testing packaging containers, with product purity of six nines or higher, achieving comprehensive supply and customized product services for the entire MO source series. In 2024, the company expects a year-on-year revenue growth of 38.08%, a net profit increase of 28.15%, and a non-recurring net profit growth of 53.1%, marking eight consecutive years of revenue growth and demonstrating a strong development trend.
(3) Yake Technology
Yake Technology was officially established in 1997 and went public on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange’s SME board in 2010. Through a series of capital operations and investments in technological research and development, it has emerged in the field of electronic specialty gases. Its subsidiary, Kemeite, provides stable and bulk supplies of electronic specialty gases to chip manufacturers such as TSMC, Samsung, and Intel. Between 2016 and 2018, Yake Technology successfully entered the core materials field of semiconductors by acquiring South Korea’s UPCHEMICAL and Chengdu Kemeite Specialty Gases Co., Ltd., competing and collaborating with international giants while continuously expanding its international market share.
(4) Zhengfan Technology
Zhengfan Technology is dedicated to providing comprehensive solutions for process media and environments across multiple industries and is one of the earliest professional suppliers of ultra-pure process media supply systems for the semiconductor industry in China. In the electronic specialty gas business, it actively extends into gas operations, including precursors, electronic specialty gases, and bulk gases. From 2022 to 2023, it has launched several projects for gas and advanced materials production bases, such as the Hefei high-purity hydrogen project and the Weifang high-purity bulk project, which are gradually being completed and put into production. As gas production capacity gradually ramps up, related revenues are expected to continue growing, providing more comprehensive gas products and services for the semiconductor industry.
(5) China Shipbuilding Specialty Gases
As a leading domestic and globally recognized supplier of electronic specialty gases and trifluoromethanesulfonic acid series products, China Shipbuilding Specialty Gases relies on advanced technology and stable product quality to supply well-known clients such as TSMC, Micron, and SK Hynix. In the research and production of electronic specialty gases, the company continuously increases its investment to enhance product performance and quality, meeting the ever-upgrading demands of the semiconductor manufacturing industry and leading the development trend of the domestic electronic specialty gas industry.
2. International Giants
(1) Linde Group
The Linde Group, based in Germany, has a long history and a rich product line of gases, with production bases around the globe. It has significant advantages in integrated gas service systems, providing comprehensive solutions from gas production, storage, and transportation to application support. In the field of electronic specialty gases, Linde Group offers high-quality products to global semiconductor and display panel companies, occupying an important position in the global electronic specialty gas market and being one of the industry standard setters.
(2) Air Liquide
As one of the leaders in the global gas industry, Air Liquide has a wide presence in the electronic specialty gas sector. Its products are widely used in the semiconductor and display panel industries, continuously innovating and optimizing production processes to meet customers’ stringent requirements for gas purity and stability. With multiple R&D centers and production bases worldwide, it can quickly respond to customer needs in different regions, providing solid support for the development of the electronics industry.
(3) Air Products and Chemicals
Air Products and Chemicals, a global industrial gas company, has strong capabilities in the research, production, and sales of electronic specialty gases. It emphasizes R&D investment and holds multiple core technology patents, enabling it to produce various high-purity and high-performance electronic specialty gas products. The company has established long-term partnerships with numerous electronic enterprises worldwide, providing customized gas solutions to help electronic companies enhance production efficiency and product quality.
(4) Taiyo Nippon Sanso
Taiyo Nippon Sanso from Japan is known for its advanced technology in the field of electronic specialty gases, particularly in gases used for semiconductor manufacturing, where it holds a significant market share. The company has established long-term stable partnerships with many well-known electronic enterprises globally. Through continuous technological innovation and strict quality management, it continuously enhances product performance to meet the stringent requirements of the semiconductor industry for gas purity and stability, establishing an excellent reputation in the high-end electronic specialty gas market.
These renowned domestic and international companies in the field of electronic specialty gases, whether Chinese enterprises achieving domestic substitution through innovative breakthroughs or international giants dominating the global market, are all driving industry development in their own ways. As the demand for electronic specialty gases continues to grow and the technical requirements become increasingly stringent, competition and collaboration among these companies will become more intense and profound, jointly shaping a more brilliant future for the electronic specialty gas industry.