IMT Strengthens Shareholder Communication and Details Growth Strategy... Accelerating Leap with HBM Substrates and Original Technologies

Next-generation semiconductor process equipment company IMT has strengthened communication with its shareholders and presented a more concrete mid- to long-term growth strategy focused on core materials and equipment technologies.

Following its recent general shareholders' meeting, IMT arranged a Q&A session between management and general shareholders to discuss key business issues, the company's vision, and updates on research and development (R&D) progress, aiming to enhance investors' understanding.

CEO Choi Jaeseong evaluated that the company has achieved meaningful results over the approximately two and a half years since its listing. In particular, he highlighted the growth of its subsidiary, IMT Plus, as a core achievement. IMT Plus produces multilayer ceramic substrates (MLC), a key material for probe cards used in the EDS process—one of the eight major semiconductor processes. The company became the first in the world to develop a 12-inch ceramic substrate for HBM and is currently supplying it to SK hynix. IMT stated that, as a result, global companies are increasingly seeking to collaborate with them.

Such business achievements have led to improvements in the company’s financial indicators. IMT announced, “Despite large-scale R&D investments, we succeeded in turning a profit on a consolidated basis.” The company added, “To meet the rising demand for MLC substrates, we decided to expand our second plant. We are simultaneously working to attract investment and have entered a stage where the likelihood of success is high.”

In the field of research and development, IMT identified its ‘wafer warpage control technology’ as a core competitive edge. Warpage refers to the bending of semiconductor wafers due to heat and pressure—a major issue that arises as wafers are thinned during the chip miniaturization process. Therefore, this technology is attracting attention as a key method for reducing process defect rates.

Based on this technology, IMT was selected as an SK hynix Technology Innovation Partner in 2025. The company emphasized that this is recognized as a rare example of original semiconductor equipment technology in Korea. Additionally, this project is being promoted as a government-supported initiative, and with SK hynix’s participation, it is expected to become a model case of original technology development involving the government, large corporations, and small and medium-sized enterprises working together. Tangible results are expected to emerge as early as the end of this year, or at the latest by early 2027.

The CO₂ dry cleaning equipment business is also showing continued growth. As demand for ultrafine processing expands in semiconductors, PCBs, glass substrates, and more, related equipment orders are on the rise. Notably, in the HBM sector, IMT secured a double-digit cumulative equipment order from a U.S.-based company referred to as M, demonstrating its technological prowess and performance. Building on this, additional tests are underway with major global companies.

The outlook for performance is also positive. IMT achieved sales of 32.9 billion won last year, successfully turning a profit. The company stated that, based on its competitiveness in core materials and equipment technologies, it expects not only this year but also the mid- to long-term outlook for growth to remain strong.

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