In February 2024, SK hynix became the first semiconductor company to unveil a mid- to long-term roadmap for bolstering the use of recycled materials. Through the roadmap, the company aims to raise the percentage of recycled materials used in its products to 25% by 2025 and to above 30% by 2030. The development of the neon recycling technology is expected to be a significant achievement for the company’s Material Recycling department in line with this roadmap.  

Figure 1. The process for recycling neon gas

Neon is one of the rare gases¹ and a key component of excimer laser gases², which are essential in the semiconductor lithography process³. As neon does not chemically decompose or transform when used as a laser light source, it can be recycled and reused through separation and purification processes. 

Taking advantage of this characteristic, SK hynix and TEMC succeeded in developing neon recycling technology. For the recycling process, a scrubber⁴ is used to capture the neon gas which is then collected in a tank following lithography. The neon gas is then selectively separated and purified using TEMC’s gas treatment process before being supplied to SK hynix for reuse in semiconductor manufacturing. Currently, the neon recovery rate, which is measured by multiplying emissions, capture volume, and purification yield, is at 72.7%. SK hynix plans to increase this rate to 77% by continuously improving the purification yield.

¹Rare gas: Gases including helium, neon, argon, krypton, xenon, and radon that exist in low concentrations in the atmosphere. Largely used in industrial processes, they are difficult to mass produce and impossible to synthesize artificially.
²Excimer laser gases: A mixture of noble, halogen and buffer gases used for an excimer laser, a type of ultraviolet laser used in lithography.
³Lithography: The process of creating patterns onto a substrate, typically silicon wafers, with a laser to define the layout of electronic components.
⁴Scrubber: Equipment that filters and treats waste gases generated during the semiconductor manufacturing process.

One-Team Collaboration with Partners Expected to Cut Neon Purchasing Costs

Figure 2. SK hynix collaborated with materials and equipment partners to recycle neon gas

SK hynix was able to develop this technology as a result of close cooperation and synergy with its materials and equipment partners which boast expertise in their respective fields. The company plans to develop more of these partnerships with industry specialists in the future.   

The application of the recycling technology offers significant benefits. When used in semiconductor fabs, the neon recycling technology is expected to cut the cost of purchasing neon by KRW 40 billion (USD 30 million⁵) per year⁶. 

⁵Based on the KRW-USD exchange rate in March 2024.
⁶This figure is based on the unit cost of neon in 2022 and expected volume that will be used in one fab of the Yongin Semiconductor Cluster.

The First Step to Developing 10 Raw Material Recycling Technologies by 2025

Figure 3. (From left to right) Hwanuk Song, Buseup Song, and Youngjun Jeong of the Material Recycling department discuss recycling innovations

The Material Recycling department led the development of the neon recycling technology. As a subcommittee of the Carbon Management Committee⁷, it is responsible for securing recycling technologies for non-chemically modified materials and establishing a recycling-friendly fab environment based on these innovations. The subcommittee aims to recycle all materials that are not chemically decomposed and transformed during the semiconductor process. By 2025, it plans to develop recycling technologies for a total of ten raw materials, including neon, deuterium, hydrogen, and helium gases, as well as chemicals such as sulfuric acid. Looking further ahead, the company aims to complete a technology review for all non-chemically modified materials by 2030. 

⁷Carbon Management Committee: A company-wide organization involving research, manufacturing, facilities, environment, and procurement to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. The committee leads initiatives such as low-power equipment development, process gas reduction, and energy reduction based on AI/DT technology.

Figure 4. The five stages of developing recycling technology

To achieve these goals, the subcommittee has categorized the development of recycling technologies into five stages based on technological maturity. As shown in Figure 4, the subcommittee aims to reach stage 3 (material evaluation) for ten raw materials including neon by 2025.  

Ultimately, SK hynix plans to overcome the uncertain supply of materials which are largely imported from overseas, thereby elevating the company’s competitiveness for years to come.   

The post SK hynix Teams Up With Local Partners to Develop Pioneering Neon Gas Recycling Tech first appeared on SK hynix Newsroom.

At the end of 2023, SK hynix promoted Head of Material Development Deoksin Kil to principal research fellow¹ of the newly established Infra Tech Center (ITC).

¹Research fellow: SK hynix executives with outstanding technical capabilities who focus on researching innovative technologies.

Kil’s department focuses on semiconductor materials, which are recently playing an integral role in the overall process of developing and manufacturing products. Not only are they key to technological innovations, but these materials are also crucial for improving cost competitiveness and lowering carbon emissions.

Since joining the company in 1999, Kil has been on a journey to revolutionize materials and thereby strengthen SK hynix’s competitiveness in this field. In 2023, he received the SUPEX Award² for his contribution to localizing extreme ultraviolet photoresist (EUV PR)³, a material which was previously only imported from overseas. Having led the company’s material development with a high level of expertise, Kil is expected to develop new technologies that will boost cost competitiveness while proactively identifying material-related risks.

²SUPEX Award: As the most prestigious award within the SK Group that carries the meaning “super excellent,” it recognizes members who have succeeded in reaching innovation by not being afraid to take on new challenges.
³Extreme ultraviolet photoresist (EUV PR): A key material that engraves circuit shapes on wafers during the photolithography process.

As part of the newsroom’s interview series that shines a light on SK hynix executives, Kil discussed the future role of materials in the semiconductor industry and his vision to achieve technological innovations.

Targeting Collective Innovation Based on Materials

Kil expects that integrated R&D will be crucial to strengthening the competitiveness of materials

“I am very pleased and proud to be recognized for my expertise and competence in semiconductor materials,” Kil said. “At the same time, I also feel a heavy weight on my shoulders as I am tasked with leading the materials field to bring about even greater innovations. I will therefore focus on continuously developing new materials at the ITC to ensure that our Material Development department becomes an integral part of creating synergies between advanced and mass-production technologies.”

In addition to developing new technologies, Kil’s department is tasked with supporting and managing the overall R&D process by leading the development of materials used in the manufacturing process.

Kil highlights how material innovations lead to advancements in semiconductor technology

Subsequently, he went on to emphasize the goal of innovation driven by materials.

“In the past, materials played a secondary role in improving the characteristics of processes. But in recent years, innovations in materials have directly led to improvements in the unit per hour (UPH)—the amount of products manufactured per hour on a production line—and have modified the concept of processes, resulting in a reduction in investment costs,” Kil explained. “These innovations have consequently improved the productivity and cost competitiveness of DRAM and NAND flash products. With these technical capabilities, it is our goal to achieve integrated innovations driven by materials.”

Building a Stable Semiconductor Materials Ecosystem, Minimizing Materials Risk

Taking past experiences as lessons, Kil stresses the importance of being prepared for the worst case in terms of materials risks

Looking back at his career, Kil picked the successful localization of EUV PR in 2023 as one of his most significant feats. “The Korean semiconductor industry used to rely solely on internationally imported materials, but restrictions to these imports in 2019 significantly impacted our sector,” he recalled. “Fortunately enough, SK hynix’s quick response to the issue ensured we eventually benefitted from the situation in the end.”

As part of this response, Kil has worked with SK Materials Performance since 2021 to develop EUV PR—an essential material for the semiconductor process. As a result, SK hynix succeeded in localizing EUV PR and contributed to the normalization of material supply and demand. “This experience has enabled us to become confident in our current endeavors to develop new materials,” he said.

Based on the lessons learned from the 2019 incident, SK hynix established the Material Risk Index (mRI). Through this index, the risk level of different categories of materials began to be calculated and managed separately so that any potential crises could be handled effectively. Additionally, Kil is also operating a mutual benefit consultative group for high-risk materials with partners.

“Semiconductor materials have a decisive impact not only on technology implementation but also on mass-production processes like equipment operations,” Kil stressed. “By continuing to closely monitor important affairs such as geopolitics and international regulations, we will reduce uncertainty and build a stable ecosystem of semiconductor materials.”

Expanding Role of Materials to Spark Renaissance in 2024

Kil hopes SK hynix will become a significant player in developing future materials

Kil predicts that materials will become more important in the future semiconductor market. “In the future, semiconductor materials will be developed not only to improve performance but to also meet standards for low carbon emissions and possess eco-friendly characteristics. Consequently, we are taking part in various efforts to develop new alternative materials,” he said.

Kil pointed out that these newly developed materials will be increasingly applied to existing technologies in 2024.

“We plan to implement practical and differentiated solutions by clearly identifying the needs for each stage of the respective technologies,” he explained. “At a time when our role of material development is growing in importance, we will not stop until we achieve a renaissance in materials development.”

While thanking all of SK hynix’s employees, Kil urged them to continue challenging themselves to test their limits.

“To realize a positive and hopeful future, you must prepare yourself,” he stated. “You get closer to your dreams by facing challenges, gaining experiences, and building skill sets. I hope many of you will be able to achieve your dreams in 2024.”

<Other articles from this series>

New Leadership Spotlight: SK hynix’s First Female Research Fellow, Vice President Oh Haesoon, on Advancing NAND Flash

New Leadership Spotlight: SK hynix’s Youngest Exec, Lee Donghun, Discusses Spearheading NAND Flash Development

New Leadership Spotlight: Vice President Kitae Kim, Head of HBM Sales & Marketing, on Future-Proofing HBM’s Market Leadership

New Leadership Spotlight: Vice President Hoyoung Son Targets SK hynix’s Evolution Into Total AI Memory Provider Through Advanced Packaging Tech

New Leadership Spotlight: Head of HBM PI Unoh Kwon Aims to Finish SK hynix’s HBM Roadmap & Lead in the AI Era

New Leadership Spotlight: Global RTC Head Jaeyun Yi Aims to Present a New Paradigm for the Future of Semiconductors

New Leadership Spotlight: SK hynix Execs Join Roundtable to Discuss Company’s AI Memory Leadership & Future Market Trends

The post Leadership Spotlight: Deoksin Kil, Head of Material Development, On Achieving Tech Innovation Through Advanced Materials first appeared on SK hynix Newsroom.

• Aims to increase the percentage of recycled materials to 25% by 2025, above 30% by 2030
• Sets goals and action plans, while encouraging participation from partners
• Moves towards a circular economy by joining forces with all stakeholders

Seoul, February 6, 2024

SK hynix Inc. (or “the company”, www.skhynix.com) announced today that it has established a roadmap to actively utilize recycled¹ and renewable² materials in production, marking the first case that a semiconductor company lays out such mid- to long-term plan.

¹Recycled Materials: Materials extracted, recovered and reprocessed from pre-consumer waste generated in the manufacturing process before arrival at end users or from post-consumer waste disposed of after use.
²Renewable Materials: Sustainable materials that originate from nature and can be regenerated naturally over time, ultimately not depleted (e.g. wood, etc.).

“In order to achieve Net Zero, or Carbon Neutrality, establishing a circular economy system centered on resource recycling has become an important task for countries and companies around the world,” SK hynix said. “In line with this trend, we have decided to preemptively establish and faithfully implement the goal of increasing the use of recycled materials in stages.”

Through this roadmap, SK hynix aims to raise the proportion of recycled materials used in the products currently manufactured by the company to 25% by 2025 and more than 30% (based on weight) by 2030.

As part of the plan, SK hynix will start with essential metals for semiconductor production, such as copper, tin, and gold, and replace them with recycled materials. Industry experts point out that metal materials are the most effective when it comes to resource circulation as they account for a large proportion of the weight of finished memory products and are difficult to replace with other materials.

The company also plans to make all-out efforts to promote resource circularity, including replacing the plastic packaging used to protect finished semiconductor products with recycled plastic.

To this end, SK hynix prepared an implementation system for the goals in the roadmap.

The company will strengthen certification procedures and quality evaluation for recycled materials purchased directly by the company, and decide whether to apply the materials included in the parts supplied by business partners after receiving and reviewing the quality evaluation. In addition, SK hynix plans to encourage its suppliers to join the efforts to obtain validation from publicly trusted external organizations, such as ISO 14021³, to verify the use and proportion of recycled materials. In this process, the company will provide its unsparing support to its suppliers if necessary.

³ISO 14021: Type 2 environmental label established by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) that manufacturers adopt to declare themselves environmentally friendly

“As a company that takes ESG management seriously, we intend to actively participate in the establishment of a global circular economy,” said Junho Song, Vice President and Head of Advanced Quality & Analysis, of SK hynix. “While implementing this roadmap, we will work together with all stakeholders in the semiconductor supply chain, including customers and suppliers, to achieve practical results.”

Disclaimer

These materials are not an offer for sale of the securities of SK hynix Inc. in the United States. The securities may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission or an exemption from registration under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended. SK hynix Inc. does not intend to register any offering in the United States or to conduct a public offering of securities in the United States.

About SK hynix Inc.

SK hynix Inc., headquartered in Korea, is the world’s top tier semiconductor supplier offering Dynamic Random Access Memory chips (“DRAM”), flash memory chips (“NAND flash”) and CMOS Image Sensors (“CIS”) for a wide range of distinguished customers globally. The Company’s shares are traded on the Korea Exchange, and the Global Depository shares are listed on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange. Further information about SK hynix is available at www.skhynix.com, news.skhynix.com.

Media Contact

SK hynix Inc.
Global Public Relations

Technical Leader
Sooyeon Lee
E-Mail: global_newsroom@skhynix.com

Technical Leader
Kanga Kong
E-Mail: global_newsroom@skhynix.com

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