Weldex and DGIST Forge 'AI-Semiconductor Alliance'... 30.8 Billion Won Operating Profit in H1 and Technological Advancement

Weldex, a specialized provider of key parts and materials for semiconductor etching processes, is joining forces with Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST) to strengthen its competitiveness in next-generation semiconductor parts technology. Having posted solid results in the first half of the year, the company aims to expand its foundation for mid- to long-term growth by leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) in manufacturing and quality innovation, as well as securing highly skilled professionals.

On August 19, Weldex announced that it is participating in DGIST's Semiconductor AX Research Group, part of the Industrial AX Innovation Headquarters, and has signed a strategic industry-academic cooperation memorandum of understanding (MOU).

According to an electronic disclosure, Weldex recorded consolidated sales of 144.5 billion won and an operating profit of 30.8 billion won in the first half of this year. As the semiconductor market continues to evolve toward higher integration and miniaturization, the steady demand for critical consumable parts such as silicon electrodes and rings for etching processes has resulted in the company maintaining stable performance.

The collaboration with DGIST focuses on utilizing AI to further enhance the manufacturing and quality competitiveness of semiconductor parts.

Recently, as memory semiconductors have advanced in miniaturization and 3D stacking, the difficulty of the etching process has rapidly increased. The lifespan and quality of silicon electrodes and rings, which must withstand harsh plasma environments during etching, are directly linked to semiconductor production yields, making it crucial to secure advanced parts technology.

Weldex plans to conduct joint research to improve the quality of next-generation silicon components for advanced process nodes, making use of DGIST's AI joint research lab and state-of-the-art fabrication infrastructure. By analyzing accumulated process data with AI, the goal is to identify and solve longstanding manufacturing challenges that have been difficult to resolve on-site, thereby improving product quality and productivity.

In addition to research and development, talent acquisition is a core objective of this collaboration. The plan is to leverage DGIST's expertise and research infrastructure in the semiconductor field and establish an industry-academic collaboration ecosystem that enables outstanding local science and engineering talent to move into industry settings.

Ki-hwa Bae, Vice President of Weldex, stated, "There is a serious shortage of professional talent in the semiconductor field in the Gyeongbuk region. For Weldex, which has grown with Gumi as its base, securing excellent science and engineering professionals is directly tied to the company’s survival and future competitiveness." He added, "Starting with the MOU with DGIST, we will actively expand various collaborative projects that can generate synergy."

Weldex is also accelerating its efforts to expand production capacity. The company recently signed an investment agreement worth 260 billion won with Gumi City and is pushing forward with factory expansions and equipment upgrades. The strategy is to respond to rising demand for semiconductor parts by expanding production infrastructure, while also strengthening product competitiveness through AI-based technological advancements.

In particular, industry observers highlight the significance of this collaboration with DGIST in securing technological and human resources to support large-scale facility investments. By advancing not only production facility expansion but also process and quality innovation using AI, Weldex is expected to further boost its competitiveness in the market for advanced semiconductor process parts.

DGIST President Kunwoo Lee commented, "If the on-site data and manufacturing capabilities of local semiconductor parts and materials companies are combined with DGIST's AI and semiconductor expertise and fab infrastructure, it will not only enhance the technological competitiveness of those companies but also provide an opportunity to strengthen technological self-reliance across the entire semiconductor supply chain."

Industry experts observe that Weldex is reinforcing its foundation for mid- to long-term growth by simultaneously pursuing first-half performance growth, large-scale investments, and AI-driven technology development. As semiconductor miniaturization and 3D stacking continue, the ability to extend the lifespan and improve the quality of etching process parts is expected to become a critical factor in future competitiveness.

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