32024202220202021202910281026102710251023102410221021102900201028002700250026002400220023002100200028991999179915991699149913991199129910991889198917891689115Demand for semiconductorsAs you can see from the graph, there’s little doubt that demand for semiconductors is on the rise. Despite various trends in semiconductors, such as miniaturization and diversification, business oppor-tunities for all companies involved in this industry are projected to continue rising.KS-20F Particle CounterThis liquid-borne particle counter uses a diode-pumped solid-state laser combined with the sideways light scat-tering method to measure particles as small as 0.02 µm. While airborne particle counters are used for cleanliness management of the air in clean rooms essential for semiconductor manufacturing, this liquid-borne particle counter is used to manage the ultra-pure water used in semiconductor manufacturing processes.(Source: “36 Years WSTS Blue Book Data,” World Semiconductor Trade Statistics (WSTS))The role expected of RION in response to the increasing demand for semiconductorswe’re seeing is a good thing for Japan.In 2024, TSMC, one of the world’s largest contract semiconductor man-ufacturers, established a new plant in Kumamoto Prefecture, a decision that caused quite a stir. Contrary to my expectations, TSMC has brought its advanced technologies to Japan. TSMC also offers high salaries to their employees. This is in stark contrast to foreign-owned plants in Mie, Fukushi-ma, and other prefectures, which haven’t brought in such advanced technolo-gy. Students from the top universities, like those I mentioned above, are now looking to TSMC as a prospective employer. Until now, students who had studied semiconductor manufacturing in laboratories at universities tended to look for employment in industries other than the semiconductor industry, like consulting or finance, due to the lack of attractive domestic semiconduc-tor manufacturers. Thanks to TSMC, we’re seeing a reversal of this trend. In addition to TSMC, Rapidus will offer favorable employment for talented students. This recent trend of talented people working in the domestic semi-conductor industry is a good sign and will definitely lead to the blooming of the domestic semiconductor industry.As a concluding remark, I’m sure that the semiconductor industry will continue to grow both overseas and in Japan. What kind of response is expected of Rion, a company that contributes to the semiconductor industry with its particle counters? The first thing, I think, is to focus on the manufac-turing plants likely to increase in Japan in the near future. TSMC has declared that it will build up to three plants in Japan. It’s almost certain that the second plant will be built again in Kumamoto. Needless to say, clean rooms will be installed at these plants. Because chip factories require rigorous control of temperature, humidity, air pressure, air cleanliness, and other parameters, particle counters that measure fine particles and impurities are essential equipment in these clean rooms, creating space for contributions from Rion.The second important thing for Rion is a global perspective. The reason some Japanese manufacturing equipment makers have achieved business growth is that they’ve set up their manufacturing bases overseas. They’ve expanded their businesses by targeting semiconductor plants in Taiwan, South Korea, the United States, and elsewhere. The ratio of overseas sales to domestic sales for these equipment suppliers is around 85% to 95%. Even though they’re Japanese companies, their main target is overseas markets.Plans have been announced for 18 semiconductor-related plants to be built around the world in 2025. This means the number of clean rooms will increase around the world, and expectations will likely be high for Rion and its particle counters.FROM RIONRion originally started out with the particle counter business with the goal of measuring the cleanliness of the air in operating rooms and other sections inside hospitals. Later, it gradually shifted its focus to the semiconductor industry, which currently accounts for more than 90% of sales. In the past, the applications of semiconductors were limited to a number of electronic devices such as computers. The semiconductor business was easily influenced by economic fluctuations known as the silicon cycle. But today, they’re used in a wide range of applications, including automotive and energy-saving devices, and we’re currently experiencing what is referred to as the super silicon cycle, characterized double-digit annual growth. Riding this economic trend, RION has expanded its business by contributing to improvements in production efficiency and microfabrication technology through cleanliness management. We hope to continue contribut-ing to the development of the semiconductor industry.(RION Technical Journal Editorial Committee)All numbers are in 1000 US$.700,000,000600,000,000500,000,000400,000,000300,000,000200,000,000100,000,000WorldwideJapan0
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