SUMCO CORPORATION (3436) Stock Price

SUMCO operates a "high-purity silicon business" that manufactures and sells silicon wafers primarily for semiconductor manufacturers. This business supplies silicon wafers used as substrate materials for manufacturing semiconductors such as memory and logic chips.

In silicon wafer manufacturing, larger wafer diameters improve productivity and contribute to cost reduction. SUMCO manufactures polished wafers in various diameters ranging from 100mm to 300mm, as well as epitaxial wafers with specialized surface treatments.

The manufacturing process is divided into two stages: "single crystal pulling" and "wafer processing." In the single crystal pulling stage, single crystal silicon ingots are manufactured using high-purity quartz crucibles, which are then sliced and polished into polished wafers during the wafer processing stage.

SUMCO's production facilities for 300mm wafers are located in Saga, Yamagata, and Nagasaki prefectures in Japan, as well as Taiwan. For 200mm and smaller wafers, the company operates additional facilities in Hokkaido, Miyazaki Prefecture, the United States, and Indonesia. Polycrystalline silicon is manufactured in Mie Prefecture and the United States.

The sales structure includes business offices in Tokyo, Osaka, and Fukuoka, with sales subsidiaries established in the United States for North America, and in Taiwan and Singapore for Asia. In Europe, a sales subsidiary in the United Kingdom conducts sales activities, supporting semiconductor manufacturers globally.

SUMCO aims to become the world leader in silicon wafer manufacturing and meet the expectations of its customers and shareholders. The company focuses on providing high-quality silicon wafers for semiconductor devices and building a stable supply system by maximizing its technological capabilities. Through these efforts, SUMCO seeks to contribute to society's development and maintain and strengthen its position in the silicon wafer industry.

In its medium-term management plan, SUMCO anticipates continued growth in demand for 300mm silicon wafers and is advancing technology development and modernization investments. In particular, the company is promoting manufacturing equipment modernization to meet demand driven by AI technology development. For 200mm wafers, SUMCO expects demand recovery centered on automotive and power applications, and is restructuring its production system accordingly.

As technological innovation accelerates, SUMCO is rapidly modernizing manufacturing equipment at existing factories and strengthening its supply capacity for 300mm advanced products. The company is also enhancing efforts to secure profitability through productivity improvements via AI utilization and reorganization of small-diameter wafer production. SUMCO monitors the impact of geopolitical risks and national policies on the market environment and works to minimize risks.

SUMCO is also committed to sustainability initiatives. The company has set medium to long-term goals including women's empowerment, carbon neutrality, and talent development, and is advancing efforts to address social challenges and improve sustainable corporate value. Through these initiatives, SUMCO aims to value all stakeholders and fulfill its corporate social responsibility.