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OCI Holdings Chairman Lee Woo-hyun |
[Alpha Biz= Kim Jisun] OCI Holdings announced on July 17 that it has established its first joint venture with Japan's leading chemical company Tokuyama in the semiconductor materials sector.
On July 16, OCI Holdings’ subsidiary, OCI Tersus (formerly OCI Malaysia), held a groundbreaking ceremony for a new semiconductor-grade polysilicon plant at the Samalaju Industrial Park in Sarawak, Malaysia. The ceremony marked the beginning of the joint venture, named OTSM (OCI Tokuyama Semiconductor Materials).
OTSM will be equally owned by OCI Tersus and Tokuyama, with a total investment of USD 435 million (approximately KRW 600 billion). The facility will specialize in the production of high-purity polysilicon for semiconductors. Tokuyama is currently the third-largest global producer of semiconductor-grade polysilicon.
This marks the first Korea-Japan joint venture in the semiconductor materials segment beyond finished goods and equipment, signaling a new chapter in bilateral industrial cooperation.
The new plant will be built on a 132,000 square meter (approx. 32.6 acres) site within the OCI Tersus complex. It is scheduled for completion and test operation in the first half of 2027, with commercial production of 8,000 metric tons per year expected to begin in 2029, following customer qualification procedures (PCN: Process Change Notification).
OCI Holdings currently produces 4,700 tons of semiconductor-grade polysilicon annually at its Gunsan plant in Korea. The company expects strong synergies and increased global competitiveness through this expansion, in line with the growing demand in the semiconductor industry.
Additionally, OTSM signed a 10-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Sarawak Energy (SEB) last week to ensure a stable power supply for the new facility.
AlphaBIZ Kim Jisun(stockmk2020@alphabiz.co.kr)
