[CES 2024] Samsung Electro-Mechanics to Promote New Business 'Mi-Rae'... Jang Deok-hyun "Changing Business Structure"

Press Conference Held in Las Vegas, USA
Directly Appearing as Presenter to Emphasize Need for Change
"Parts and Materials Essential to Realize Future Industries"

Samsung Electro-Mechanics is promoting the 'Mi-Rae (Future) Project' to transition its business structure toward the future by leveraging its core technologies such as multilayer ceramic capacitors (MLCC), camera modules, and substrates. Mi-Rae is an acronym for four fields: Mobility industry, Robot, AI·Server, and Energy.

On the 10th (local time), Jung Deok-hyun, President of Samsung Electro-Mechanics, held a press briefing in Las Vegas, USA, under the theme of 'The Future Samsung Electro-Mechanics is Preparing,' where he explained the background and plans for the new business.

Jang Deok-hyun, President of Samsung Electro-Mechanics, held a press conference and made a presentation on the 10th (local time) in Las Vegas, USA. / Photo by Samsung Electro-Mechanics

Instead of the usual format of sitting behind a desk to deliver the presentation, President Jung stood up and presented himself. He specifically explained why this business is necessary, how it will be promoted, and the expected business effects, demonstrating firsthand how important this business transformation is as a turning point for Samsung Electro-Mechanics.

President Jung said, "The electronics industry is rapidly entering an era where humanoids integrated with AI will be applied in daily life and industries, moving beyond mobile and mobility platforms," adding, "The realization of future industry technologies must be based on components and materials." He also said, "We expect this to be a new growth opportunity for us, who possess core technologies in these fields."

New Component Production to Capture Semiconductor Packaging Demand

Samsung Electro-Mechanics will focus on the emerging component business of 'glass substrates' and 'silicon capacitors' in the AI·Server field.

Glass substrates replace the core of the substrate, which acts as the backbone, from plastic to glass material. Recently, as packaging technology has gained importance in the semiconductor industry, glass substrates have also attracted attention. Because they have low deformation due to temperature changes and can increase chip density, they are necessary to reduce package thickness. Intel has also announced plans to introduce glass substrates by 2030.

Samsung Electro-Mechanics expects glass substrates to grow mainly in high-end products equipped with high-performance semiconductors such as server central processing units (CPUs) and AI accelerators. The company plans to establish a prototype production line for glass substrates this year, produce prototypes in 2025, and start full-scale mass production from 2026 onward.

Appearance of the glass substrate developed by Samsung Electro-Mechanics /
[Photo by Samsung Electro-Mechanics]

Silicon capacitors are capacitors made using silicon wafers, characterized by their micro-sized dimensions, allowing semiconductor package area and thickness to be designed slimly. They can be located close to high-performance system semiconductors, which is advantageous for high-speed data transmission. Despite their small size, they have high storage capacity and can maintain stable performance under conditions such as high temperature and high pressure.

President Jung said, "Silicon capacitors are next-generation capacitors designed to respond to advanced semiconductor packaging technology for rapidly evolving AI implementation," adding, "We plan to apply them to mass production in high-performance computing package substrates by 2025 and expand the product lineup to servers, networks, automobiles, and more in the future."

In the mobility field, Samsung Electro-Mechanics is focusing on the 'hybrid lens for automotive cameras' business. Hybrid lenses combine the advantages of plastic and glass lenses, featuring resistance to deformation caused by high temperatures and scratches, as well as high production efficiency. They are also advantageous for camera miniaturization and weight reduction.

Hybrid lens for automotive electronics to be introduced by Samsung Electro-Mechanics /
[Photo by Samsung Electro-Mechanics]

For these reasons, Samsung Electro-Mechanics expects hybrid lenses to be a game changer in the automotive camera market. The company plans to introduce hybrid lenses with differentiated lens design technology to the market, aiming for mass production in 2025 and establishing itself as a leader in the automotive camera market.

Full-Scale Launch of the Dream Battery 'All-Solid-State Battery' Business

In the energy field, Samsung Electro-Mechanics is focusing on 'oxide-based all-solid-state batteries' and 'solid oxide electrolyzer cells (SOEC).' All-solid-state batteries replace the electrolyte from liquid to solid and are called dream batteries. Samsung Electro-Mechanics is currently developing small-sized all-solid-state batteries. The company plans to introduce all-solid-state batteries advantageous for miniaturization and mass production by leveraging the stacking technology secured in the MLCC business and glass ceramic material technology.

President Jung said, "We are currently conducting tests to guarantee reliability conditions," adding, "We are preparing to enter the wearable market by 2026." Samsung Electro-Mechanics currently holds industry-leading energy density and capacity characteristics.

SOEC is a future-oriented green energy technology needed in the carbon-neutral era. Samsung Electro-Mechanics is developing SOEC technology that electrolyzes water at high temperatures above 700℃ to produce hydrogen, based on ceramic materials used in MLCC raw materials. The company has succeeded in independently developing SOEC cells and secured current density, which is important for SOEC, at the highest level in the commercial product market. The business plans to develop prototypes by 2025 and start mass production by 2027.

All-solid-state battery under development by Samsung Electro-Mechanics /
[Photo by Samsung Electro-Mechanics]

In the humanoid field, Samsung Electro-Mechanics is focusing on securing new component technologies used in humanoids, such as MLCC, package substrates, camera modules, and actuators. The company is developing technologies by utilizing optical design, precision processing, and drive control technologies.

President Jung said, "The upcoming digital future will hinge on securing core technologies for corporate survival," adding, "As we possess the best technologies in components and materials, we will turn the approaching future into a new growth opportunity and transform our business structure to withstand any recession."

He also said, "By entering the green hydrogen field, we will contribute to the carbon-neutral era," adding, "We will take the lead in creating social and environmental value by providing innovative energy solutions."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.