U.S. semiconductor equipment company Axcelis Technologies is expanding its manufacturing base in the Asia-Pacific region located in Pyeongtaek, South Korea.
The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced that Axcelis will hold a groundbreaking ceremony on October 20 for the expansion of the Axcelis Asia Operations Center (AAOC) in the Osong Industrial Complex in Pyeongtaek.
The AAOC is Axcelis's only manufacturing site outside the United States. Since its establishment in 2021, it has supplied ion implantation equipment to domestic semiconductor companies such as Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, while also exporting to countries in the Asia-Pacific region, including China, Japan, and Singapore.
Ion implantation equipment is a critical tool in semiconductor manufacturing, used to inject specific ions into wafers to adjust their electrical properties. This equipment is essential for realizing the performance and characteristics of semiconductor circuits.
With this expansion, Axcelis plans to significantly increase its annual production capacity for ion implantation equipment. This move aims to respond to the growing demand for equipment in the Asia-Pacific region and support the expansion of domestic semiconductor production facilities.
There are also plans to transform the existing production-focused AAOC into a comprehensive hub. Future enhancements will include research and development (R&D), prototype production, and technical training functions, aiming to develop it into a key hub for the Asia-Pacific region.
The government expects that the expansion of production facilities will enhance cooperation with domestic semiconductor materials, components, and equipment companies, as well as contribute to the training of specialized personnel.
This groundbreaking follows a foreign investment announcement event held in Washington, D.C., in September. At that time, the Ministry of Industry reported that Minister Kim Jeong-kwan attended and received investment announcements totaling $2 billion from four U.S. companies in semiconductor materials, equipment, advanced materials for displays, and offshore wind power.
As global semiconductor companies increase their investments in South Korea, localizing the equipment supply chain is linked to enhancing semiconductor manufacturing competitiveness. Providing equipment and technical support close to production facilities can assist demand companies with equipment installation and maintenance.
Axcelis plans to strengthen cooperation with domestic clients while also expanding equipment exports to countries in the Asia-Pacific region.
Gang Gam-chan, head of the Trade and Investment Bureau at the Ministry of Industry, stated, "Axcelis's investment is a meaningful demonstration of trust in Korea's semiconductor industry. We hope that the expansion of the AAOC will further strengthen Korea's semiconductor supply chain and advance Axcelis's business to the next level." He added, "The Korean government will closely cooperate with Gyeonggi Province and Pyeongtaek City to address on-site challenges and ensure smooth investment progress."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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