Korean Media: The Invisible Weapon in the Semiconductor War, Korean Companies Manufacture the World's Purest Water

[START现场] Ultra-pure Water Equipment Company G&G Intech

The world is waging a semiconductor war. The competitiveness of South Korea's national semiconductor industry is not solely achieved by a few manufacturers such as Samsung or SK Hynix. It requires numerous related companies in the front and back to be closely connected, possessing overall competitiveness, in order to survive in the fierce global competition.

One important element in manufacturing semiconductors is "water." However, ordinary water cannot be used. To clean impurities on semiconductor wafers (wafers), ultra-precise pure water, that is, "ultra-pure water (Ultrapure Water)" is needed. With the advancement of semiconductor technology, the requirements for ultra-pure water have become more stringent and demanding.

G&G Intech is one of South Korea's representative precision water treatment companies. It has continuously secured orders for ultra-pure water equipment and reuse equipment in the United States, Saudi Arabia, and other regions, demonstrating its presence. "START现场" has come to G&G Intech located in Yongin, Gyeonggi-do, to hear the story of people who are challenging the world's purest water.

Strong Player in the Small and Medium-sized Ultra-pure Water Equipment Market

G&G Intech was founded in January 2001 by the late Lee Won-gyun, who was from Samsung Engineering. The company supplies ultra-pure water equipment to large and medium-sized enterprises, universities, and government institutions at home and abroad. Not only in the field of ultra-pure water, but also in the fields of water resource recycling, desalination, and wastewater treatment, it conducts research and produces related equipment. Recently, G&G Intech supplied ultra-pure water equipment for wafer cleaning and etching processes to a U.S. semiconductor company, and its technical capabilities have been recognized overseas.

The semiconductor industry requires the highest quality of ultra-pure water. It must meet conditions such as a resistivity of 18MΩ·cm (ohm-centimeters) or higher, total organic carbon (TOC) of less than 1.0ppb, and no more than 200 particles per liter of 50nm or larger within one hour. If our drinking water is "commonly clean," then ultra-pure water is close to "water filtered at the atomic level." It is so pure that if a person drinks it, it may disrupt the body's electrolyte balance.

Previously, only large companies such as Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix needed ultra-pure water, but now small and medium-sized partner companies that supply medicines or parts also need ultra-pure water.

G&G Intech is a company specializing in producing small and medium-sized ultra-pure water equipment (products that can produce up to 10 tons of ultra-pure water per hour). Representative Lee Gae-roon said, "According to customer requirements, we provide customized R&D, bench testing, pilot testing, equipment construction, and operation and maintenance (O&M) services. We have experience in process development, construction, and operation of ultra-pure water equipment." G&G Intech can also handle equipment operations, allowing small and medium-sized semiconductor companies to maintain equipment operation at the lowest cost.

Water resource recycling refers to treating water that has already been used so that it can be reused again. Water resource recycling technology is seen as a solution to address water shortages. In California, the United States, even treated wastewater is allowed to be used as drinking water. Last June, G&G Intech provided water resource recycling equipment to a denim factory in Los Angeles, USA. Representative Lee Gae-roon said, "We are currently negotiating with a food and beverage company in the United States for equipment supply."

Goal: Becoming a Global Water Treatment Company

To strengthen its technological development capabilities, G&G Intech recently appointed Jeong Jin-wook (54 years old), an engineer from Veolia (a French multinational water resources company) and Samsung E&A, as the Chief Technology Officer. Mr. Jeong Jin-wook stated, "It is rare for a company to master the technology to freely adjust the ultra-pure water equipment process consisting of an average of 25-30 unit processes. We are proud of our participation in national projects and the development of necessary technologies to enhance the competitiveness of the Korean industry. We hope to build the most trustworthy technical foundation in the ultra-pure water market by improving the efficiency and stability of equipment operations."

G&G Intech has been actively participating in events such as the Taiwan Semiconductor Exhibition (SEMICON) and the U.S. Water Treatment Exhibition (WEFTEC) this year, accelerating its globalization efforts. Representative Lee Gae-roon said, "To improve the quality of semiconductors, the upgrading of ultra-pure water and water recycling technology will receive more attention. We will continue to provide market-leading solutions."

Source: Chosun Ilbo

Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1843048185160708/

Statement: This article represents the views of the author himself.