Key facts
- Solvay will more than double its production capacity for high-purity chipmaking chemicals in Taiwan by 2026.
- The expansion is driven by increased demand for AI chips.
- Solvay's CEO cited customer demand for supply chain security as a factor.
- The company aims to triple its electronic-grade business.
Belgian chemical producer Solvay is set to more than double its production capacity for high-purity chipmaking chemicals in Taiwan by 2026, driven by the significant growth opportunity presented by the booming demand for artificial intelligence chips. Solvay CEO Philippe Kehren stated that customers are increasingly seeking supply chain security, which is a key factor in the company's decision to localize more production.
Solvay's expansion in Taiwan aims to meet the growing needs of the semiconductor industry, which relies on ultra-pure chemicals for critical wet processing and precise surface polishing. The company's offerings include ultra-pure hydrogen peroxide, such as its INTEROX® Pico & PicoPlus formulations, essential for wet etching in wafer manufacturing. Additionally, Solvay provides solutions like Zenus®HC for chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) and HPPC for customizing CMP slurries, enabling the miniaturization of integrated circuits while maintaining manufacturing predictability.