The 2023 Silicon-Based Gas Seminar for Integrated Circuits was successfully held.

On August 29, the Integrated Circuit Materials Industry Technology Innovation Alliance (hereinafter referred to as the “Alliance”) and Luoyang Zhongsi High-Tech Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as “Zhongsi High-Tech”) jointly hosted the “2023 Silicon-Based Gas Seminar for Integrated Circuits” in Luoyang. Attending the seminar were Vice Mayor Niu Gang of the Luoyang Municipal Government, Secretary-General Shi Ying of the Materials Alliance, Chairman Zhang Hewen of Zhongsi High-Tech, General Manager Wan Ye, and other representatives. More than 70 delegates from 29 companies involved in wafer manufacturing, equipment, silicon materials, silicon-based gases, valves, gas cylinders, and gas detection attended the meeting.

On-site at the 2023 Silicon-Based Gas Seminar for Integrated Circuits

In his speech, Vice Mayor Niu Gang stated that silicon-based gases are critical materials for the integrated circuit industry. The city of Luoyang will continue to promote the development of related industries. He expressed hope that this conference would deepen industry collaboration and exchanges, foster healthy industrial growth, and wished the conference every success.

Vice Mayor Niu Gang delivers a speech at the event.

Chairman Zhang Hewen welcomed the representatives from participating companies. In his speech, he pointed out that silicon-based materials are the most widely used in the industry—over 90% of semiconductor products are made from silicon-based materials. Silicon-based gases permeate every stage of semiconductor production and are indispensable raw materials for electronic industries such as ultra-large-scale integrated circuits, flat-panel display devices, and solar cells; they are often referred to as the "blood of semiconductors." With the rapid development of the semiconductor and microelectronics industries, the demand for electronic gas products—in terms of both quantity and variety, as well as quality and standards—is steadily increasing. We hope that through this academic exchange and technical discussion, upstream and downstream players will carefully analyze the situation, engage in in-depth exchanges, collaborate closely, and work together toward common development, thereby stimulating innovation and technological vitality.

Chairman Zhang Hewen’s speech at the scene

Subsequently, Wan Ye, General Manager of Zhongsi Gaoke, delivered a report titled “Empowering Industrial Upgrading through Innovation and Writing a New Chapter in the Development of Silicon-Based Materials Industry.” He pointed out that the overall domestic rate of localization for semiconductor materials remains relatively low. He then outlined Zhongsi Gaoke’s efforts in technological R&D, quality standards, and management systems aimed at enhancing the substitution of domestically produced materials. In particular, he shared a unique management approach—employing genomic engineering methods—in product development.

General Manager Wan Ye’s on-site report

In his report titled “Semiconductor Clean Manufacturing and Recommendations for the Application of SEMI Standards in Gas Delivery Systems,” Dr. Cao Yongyou, General Manager of the Northern HuaChuang Supply Chain Engineering Technology Center, presented an overview of the current status and roadmap of the semiconductor industry, shared case studies on semiconductor clean manufacturing and standard applications, and put forward suggestions for innovative and collaborative development across the entire semiconductor industry chain—including advancements in gas separation and purification technologies, technical standards for gas delivery systems, comprehensive supporting infrastructure development throughout the entire value chain, accelerated establishment of third-party testing institutions, and enhanced implementation of industry standards.

Dr. Cao Yongyou’s presentation on-site

Wang Dafang, Standardization Officer of the Materials Alliance, delivered a report titled “Standards Build Brands, Innovation Drives Development.” In his presentation, he introduced the Standards Committee of the Materials Alliance, the mechanisms underlying standardization efforts, and the gas-related alliance standards that have already been released. He also compared the key features of national standards and group standards, and called on relevant enterprises to actively participate in the work of alliance standards, jointly promoting the establishment of domestic standards for the integrated circuit industry.

Materials Alliance Report Site

Mr. Fan Xuezhen, Industry Director of China National Nuclear Corporation, delivered a report titled “Progress and Reflections on the Localization of Integrated Circuit Valves.” In his presentation, he provided a detailed account of the urgency of addressing the shortcomings in critical precision valves, the progress made toward localizing these products, and the breakthroughs that have been achieved. He also outlined the key materials used in valve manufacturing and identified the primary areas requiring focused research and development. Additionally, Mr. Fan introduced the operational mechanisms and progress of the “Materials Alliance—Joint Initiative for Innovation in Valve Materials Technology and Applications for Integrated Circuits,” and proposed directions for further consideration regarding the establishment of an integrated R&D platform for valves and the development of relevant standards.

Mr. Fan Xuezhen’s report on-site

During the discussion session, corporate representatives engaged in an in-depth exchange on topics such as the supply chain and quality control of silicon-based gases. The discussions focused on the coordinated integration of processes across various links in the industrial chain—including materials, equipment, and critical components—as well as the advancement of domestic application verification. Participants also emphasized establishing testing standards and unifying testing methodologies; aligning upstream and downstream process requirements and tackling key challenges through innovative approaches; accelerating the development of product databases, sharing information resources, and strengthening policy guidance to avoid homogeneous competition.

That afternoon, the Materials Alliance also held a matchmaking event focused on silicon-based materials, bringing together companies specializing in silicon materials and silicon-based gases, as well as those in the electronic gases and valve industries. This initiative has played a positive role in promoting collaborative innovation between materials and raw material enterprises and in advancing the in-depth development of domestic production of integrated circuits.

Meeting venue

Meanwhile, a standards discussion meeting was held, during which representatives from the Electronic Gases Group of the Materials Alliance Standards Committee discussed and revised the technical content of the standard titled “Determination of Impurity Content in Titanium Tetrachloride for Integrated Circuits—Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry.”

The scene of the discussion meeting