According to Nikkei Asia, JSR, the world's second-largest supplier of photoresists, is set to initiate operations at its inaugural semiconductor material production site in Taiwan in 2028. This move is aimed at directly supplying TSMC with its products. In early April this year, JSR forged a joint venture with a local Taiwanese company, committing tens of millions of US dollars to the venture. Beyond constructing the production facility, JSR will also engage in close collaboration with TSMC to pioneer cutting-edge photoresists, including metal oxides tailored for EUV lithography. This deep-seated cooperation will commence right from the research and development stage.
Previously, JSR faced the logistical challenge of transporting samples from Japan to Taiwan by sea, a process that spanned several weeks and impeded the verification process. However, with the new base becoming operational, the responsiveness is expected to see a marked enhancement.
JSR's foray into Taiwan marks a significant milestone, as the top three Japanese photoresist manufacturers—Tokyo Ohka Kogyo, JSR, and Shin-Etsu Chemical—now all have established production plants in Taiwan. Together, they command a substantial 80% of the global photoresist market share.