The 2023 Shanghai Specialized Forum on the Development of the Electronic Chemicals Industry and the Semiconductor Materials Supply-Demand Cooperation Promotion Conference were successfully held.

On June 30, the Integrated Circuit Materials Industry Technology Innovation Alliance (hereinafter referred to as the “Alliance”), the Shanghai Electronic Chemicals Special Zone (hereinafter referred to as the “Zone”), and the Shanghai Integrated Circuit Industry Association (hereinafter referred to as the “Association”) jointly hosted the “2023 Shanghai Electronic Chemicals Special Zone Industry Development Forum and Semiconductor Materials Supply-Demand Cooperation Promotion Meeting,” themed “Responding with One Heart, Walking Hand in Hand, Overcoming Difficulties Together, and Achieving Win-Win Outcomes.” Deputy Director Yang Xudong from the Electronic Information Department of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, Mr. Fu Xinhua, First-Level Inspector of the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Economy and Information Technology, Director Ma Jing from the Shanghai Chemical Industry Zone Management Committee, and Ms. Wang Shumin, rotating Chairperson of the Alliance, attended the meeting and delivered speeches. At the meeting, Secretary-General Shi Ying of the Alliance and Secretary-General Guo Yiwu of the Association presented industry reports. More than 200 representatives from manufacturing and packaging/testing companies in the Shanghai area, member companies of the Materials Alliance, and enterprises related to integrated circuits in the Shanghai Chemical Industry Zone participated in the event.

The scene of the 2023 Shanghai Electronic Chemicals Special Zone Industry Development Forum   

Deputy Director Yang Xudong instructed: Integrated circuits are critical national assets and serve as the technological and device foundation for all smart technologies, computing, storage, massive connectivity, and big data applications. At present and in the coming period, ensuring the security and stability of the industrial supply chain is a core concern for China’s integrated circuit industry. As the cornerstone supporting the normal operation of integrated circuit production lines, the supply assurance of electronic chemicals is of paramount importance. We hope that all sectors will fully recognize the significance of electronic chemicals and accelerate the advancement of specialized zones dedicated to their development.

Vice Director Yang Xudong delivers a speech at the event.

In his speech, Inspector Fu Xinhua stated: Electronic chemicals are critical materials for ensuring the security and stability of the integrated circuit industry chain and supply chain. Currently, China’s electronic chemicals industry still faces challenges such as high dependence on foreign sources and significant difficulties in achieving technological breakthroughs. However, with the continued growth of China’s economy and industrial technology, as well as the strategic push toward domestic substitution, the electronic chemicals industry is now embracing new opportunities.

Speech by Inspector Fu Xinhua at the event site

Director Ma Jing delivered a speech: The Shanghai Chemical Industry Zone, grounded in a new stage of development and guided by new development concepts, is promoting high-quality development and actively aligning with national strategies. Focusing on three key categories of materials—photoresist and supporting materials, specialty electronic gases, and wet electronic chemicals—the zone has established the Shanghai Specialty Zone for Electronic Chemicals. We are committed to building a globally influential base for electronic chemicals, providing robust foundational support for the development of China’s integrated circuit industry. We hope that this conference will serve as a platform for exchange and cooperation, offering opportunities for resource integration and fostering collaborative efforts to overcome challenges and achieve breakthroughs, thereby making our utmost contribution to ensuring the stability and strengthening of the integrated circuit industry chain and supply chain.

Director Ma Jing’s speech at the scene

Chairwoman Wang Shumin stated: Integrated circuits are crucial; China’s integrated-circuit market is crucial; and developing integrated circuits in China is crucial. We need both globalization and localization. Domestic materials companies must strive diligently to build a complete materials industry chain—not only to support China’s integrated-circuit industry but also to contribute to the global integrated-circuit industry.

Speech by Chairwoman Wang Shumin at the event.

In his report, “The Current Status of China’s Integrated Circuit Manufacturing Materials Industry as Well as Its Development Opportunities and Challenges,” Secretary-General Shi Ying analyzed the current status of specialized fields including silicon materials, lithography materials, specialty electronic gases, process chemicals, CMP polishing materials, sputtering targets, and packaging materials. He also discussed the opportunities and challenges facing industry development under the new circumstances. In light of the current stage of domestic industrial development, he proposed strengthening close collaboration across the entire industrial chain, urging materials companies to focus on enhancing their engineering capabilities, management levels, and staff qualifications, and recommending that the industry step up mergers and acquisitions as well as consolidation efforts.

Secretary-General Shi Ying’s report at the scene

In his report, “Accelerating the Development of a Secure and Resilient Electronic Chemicals Industry Base,” Secretary-General Guo Yiwu focused on the characteristics and challenges facing electronic chemicals. Drawing on Japan’s experience in developing the electronic chemicals industry, he pointed out that sanctions are a double-edged sword and emphasized that the development of integrated circuits must be guided by an open and inclusive mindset, rather than clinging to outdated practices. Based on China’s needs in the integrated circuit industry, he put forward several recommendations for the development of electronic chemicals industry bases: strengthening top-level design and ensuring its effective implementation; establishing and perfecting service centers for electronic chemicals enterprises; fostering collaborative innovation across the entire industrial chain, from upstream to downstream suppliers; and adhering to open cooperation, tackling key technological challenges through innovation, and prioritizing talent cultivation.

Secretary-General Guo Yiwu’s on-site report

At the meeting, Chen Zhen, Director of the Economic Development Division of the Shanghai Chemical Industry Zone Management Committee, introduced the status of the special zone. He welcomed companies involved in integrated circuit and electronic chemicals to set up operations in the zone, jointly promoting the development of China's integrated circuit industry. Following that, a series of events were held, including the “Signing Ceremony for Newly Established Enterprises in the Shanghai Specialty Zone for Electronic Chemicals,” the “Introduction to the Application and R&D Platform of the Shanghai Institute for Integrated Circuit Materials,” and the “Inauguration Ceremony for the Shanghai Electronic Chemicals Supply Chain Service Platform.”

During the meeting, the Alliance held the launch ceremony for the “Joint Initiative on Ultra-High-Purity Fluoropolymer Materials and Application Innovation” (hereinafter referred to as the “Initiative”). Inspectors Fu Xinhua, Director Ma Jing, and Secretary-General Shi Ying, together with representatives from participating organizations—including Juhua Group, China Blue Sky, Zhonghao Chenguang, Honghua Industrial, Qier Electromechanical, Yonghe Refrigeration, Hepu Rui, Northwest Institute of Rubber and Plastics Research, Kebote, Rongyu Electronics, and Sida Fluoroplastics—jointly took to the stage to witness the event. Chief Engineer Tong Jihong from Juhua Group and Deputy General Manager Gong Dangsheng from Sinochem Blue Sky each delivered speeches, outlining the core spirit of the Initiative and sharing their visions for the development of the ultra-high-purity polymer materials industry chain and technological innovation.

The Innovation Consortium is a collaborative organization initiated by the Alliance, led by core product R&D and manufacturing entities, and jointly established by upstream, midstream, and downstream enterprises, universities, and research institutes across the industry chain—companies that share common industry characteristics. Its purpose is to promote technological innovation and scaled development in the materials industry across various specialized sectors. The consortium aims to strengthen industrial technological innovation and product development of fundamental and critical raw materials, thereby enhancing the resilience of the local materials supply chain. It also seeks to establish two-way channels for technology transfer and demand identification between basic research and industrial development, fostering an innovative ecosystem for basic research and ensuring the security of China’s integrated circuit manufacturing supply chain. The Alliance established the “Innovation Consortium for Valve Materials, Processes, and Applications in Integrated Circuits” in March of this year, and all related work is progressing smoothly.

Following that, during the new-product launch session for materials companies, representatives from 11 alliance member companies—including Anji Technology, Tongcheng Electronics, Huater Gas, Weidun Jinglin, Duofluoride, Xinzhoubang, Dinglong, Heming Technology, Yichuan Meige, Xianpu Gas, and Saijin Semiconductor—each presented to the attending manufacturers, packaging and testing specialists, and industry peers the latest updates on their product R&D and mass-production applications. Through this launch event, local government departments and upstream and downstream players in the industrial chain were able to promptly grasp the technological advancements and application progress of domestically produced materials, thereby boosting industry confidence in these materials and creating valuable opportunities for promoting their wider adoption.

In the afternoon, supply-chain representatives from manufacturing companies—including SMIC, HuaHong Group, Jita Semiconductor, Dingtai Jiangxin, Geke Micro, Xinjin ChipMicro, Shanghai Xinyu, and Xinzhe Micro—held one-on-one, closed-door meetings with 41 material suppliers. This exchange event focused on strengthening communication between upstream and downstream players in Shanghai’s integrated circuit industry and fostering mutually beneficial supplier-demand partnerships.