Apr 13 2006
Hitachi Chemical plans to further expand its business in China by adding a new production base for photosensitive dry film for Printed Wiring Boards（PWBs） in Suzhou, China. The new plant is scheduled to start production in February 2007. In Suzhou, Hitachi Chemical Co., Ltd. is already producing epoxy molding compounds for semiconductors. Approximately three billion yen will be invested in building a photosensitive film production plant with a capacity of 50 million m2 per year on the same premises.
PWB manufacturers in Japan, Korea, Taiwan region, and other locations, who are the prime users of the photosensitive film, are accelerating the shift of their production bases to China. Also, with local Chinese PWB manufacturers expanding their production capacity in response to the increasingly active demand for electronics, China has now become the world’s largest photosensitive film market. Suzhou was chosen for the new production base in view of the expected growth in demand for photosensitive film, especially in eastern and northern China, where the growth in the electronics industry looks promising.
The new plant will increase Hitachi Chemical’s overall photosensitive film production in China to approximately 150 million m2 per year, and should contribute to the Company’s strategy to secure the highest share in the Chinese market, which holds high potential for future growth.
Hitachi Chemical Group has the world’s largest share of the photosensitive film market, with film production bases in China (Dongguan), Malaysia (Johor) and Japan (Yamazaki Works), and also film slitting operational bases in China, Hong Kong, Taiwan region, Korea, Malaysia and the Netherlands. By adding the film production base in Suzhou, we intend to strengthen our competitive edge, especially by steadily increasing our market share in eastern and northern China where significant market growth is expected.
http://www.hitachi-chem.co.jp