[Apha Biz=(Chicago) Reporter Paul Lee] SKC recorded an operating loss of 36.9 billion won in the second quarter of this year on a consolidated basis and turned into a deficit compared to the same period last year (operating profit of 1,027 billion won). SKC is a chemical and material company of SK Group.

According to SKC on the 9th, sales in the second quarter were 630.9 billion won, down 16.3% from the same period last year (753.8 billion won) and 5.7% from the previous quarter (669.1 billion won). The net loss turned to a deficit of 24.8 billion won.

Overall, the performance of copper foil for secondary batteries, semiconductor materials, and chemical sectors has deteriorated.

However, SKC predicted that sales will increase by 50% from the first half as demand for copper foil recovers from the second half of the year and commercial operations at factories in Malaysia begin.

It is analyzed that the utilization rate of semiconductor materials has fallen as major customers have started to cut production due to the worsening semiconductor industry.

The petrochemical sector is still in a sluggish global market as demand for the petrochemical sector continues to shrink due to the economic downturn, the company explained.

SK Nexilis, an investor in the copper foil business, is in the process of certifying its customers with the aim of launching commercial operations at its Kota Kinabalu plant in Malaysia, an overseas production hub, in the third quarter. More than 70% of major customer certification has already been carried out.

The portfolio restructuring of the semiconductor material business is also accelerating. We plan to complete the acquisition of ISC, a semiconductor test solution, within the third quarter and enter the core consumables business of the post-process.

SKC said in a conference call that it is also considering additional mergers and acquisitions (M&A) in the post-process sector.

In addition, SK Absolics, a subsidiary of semiconductor materials, plans to complete its Georgia plant by the end of this year and complete preparations for commercialization of semiconductor glass substrates for high-performance computing. Grants from the U.S. government apply in October.

Silicon cathode material business is also rapidly being commercialized. In June, the company completed the establishment of a subsidiary for the business of coated low-content products and began the construction of pilot facilities. Pilot production will begin within the year and mass production plans will be finalized.

 

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