Driven by rapid development of AI, high-performance computing (HPC), and advanced semiconductor processes, global demand for semiconductor materials is growing, with increasing emphasis on the technological capabilities, reliable supply, and sustainable manufacturing of critical materials. As a global hub for wafer manufacturing and advanced packaging, Taiwan has remained the world’s largest semiconductor materials market for many consecutive years, further highlighting the importance of advancing materials technologies, strengthening industry collaboration, and deepening connections across the global supply chain. GlobalWafers Co., Ltd. (6488: TT) announced that it has joined the SEMI Taiwan Materials Alliance, with GlobalWafers Chairperson and CEO Doris Hsu serving as one of the Alliance’s chairs. Leveraging its long-standing expertise in semiconductor materials, technological capabilities, and global supply experience, GlobalWafers will work closely with industry partners to advance critical materials technologies and strengthen semiconductor supply chain resilience.
The SEMI Taiwan Materials Alliance has already garnered the initial support from 35 companies and is expected to bring together more materials solution providers going forward. The Alliance focuses on four key priorities: strengthening the resilience of critical raw materials and semiconductor material supply, enhancing global supply chain connectivity, accelerating collaborative innovation across materials and the semiconductor value chain, and advancing industry value enhancement and alignment with global standards. Through a range of mechanisms—including risk assessment and early warning, communication on import and export regulations and policies, local sourcing alternatives and contingency planning, as well as international technology collaboration, standards and qualification, and industry matchmaking—the Alliance aims to strengthen supply chain resilience, global connectivity, and momentum for innovation and transformation across the industry. The Alliance also supports Taiwan’s materials and related industries in strengthening supply resilience, technological capabilities, and high-value development. At the same time, it actively promotes international collaboration and deeper integration with the global semiconductor ecosystem. In response to evolving industry needs, the Alliance will bring together domestic and international suppliers, partners, and resources to enhance Taiwan’s industrial competitiveness while strengthening collaboration and connectivity across the global semiconductor value chain.
Deepening Industry Collaboration to Advance Critical Materials Innovation
As semiconductor technologies continue to evolve, industry competition has expanded beyond process technologies and production capacity to encompass the technological capabilities and reliable supply of critical materials. From semiconductor manufacturing and advanced packaging to the development of AI applications, requirements for the quality, performance, and reliable supply of semiconductor wafers, specialty chemicals, specialty gases, and other critical materials continue to rise, making close collaboration between materials suppliers and partners across the industry value chain increasingly important.
GlobalWafers is one of the world’s top three semiconductor wafer suppliers, offering a comprehensive wafer product portfolio and strong R&D capabilities to support a broad range of technology platforms and semiconductor applications, including niche products such as advanced silicon wafers, SOI wafers, and compound semiconductor materials. Taiwan Speciality Chemicals Corporation (TSC, 4772: TT), an affiliated company within the Sino-American Silicon Products Group, has also joined the SEMI Taiwan Materials Alliance. TSC has long focused on specialty gases and specialty chemicals for semiconductor applications, with products widely used in advanced semiconductor processes. Together, GlobalWafers and TSC have established the Group’s presence across critical upstream semiconductor materials. Through the Alliance platform, the two companies will leverage the Group’s integrated materials portfolio, combining expertise in R&D innovation, advanced manufacturing, and global supply experience. By working more closely with equipment suppliers, wafer manufacturers, packaging and testing companies, and academic and research institutions, GlobalWafers and TSC aim to accelerate collaborative innovation across materials and the semiconductor value chain, foster closer alignment between materials technologies and process requirements, expedite the qualification and adoption of new materials, and jointly advance semiconductor materials technologies and industry development.
Addressing Evolving Supply Chain Needs and Deepening Long-Term Customer Partnerships
In recent years, changes in geopolitics and the global trade environment have further highlighted the importance of ensuring a reliable supply of critical materials to the semiconductor industry. Customer expectations for materials suppliers have also evolved beyond cost and efficiency to encompass supply assurance, localized manufacturing, product traceability, green manufacturing, and joint technology development. GlobalWafers’ manufacturing footprint spans Asia, the Americas, and Europe. Through its global presence and localized supply capabilities, the Company is well positioned to stay close to customers across different regions and enhance supply chain resilience. At the same time, GlobalWafers continues to advance low-carbon and traceable manufacturing, helping customers gain greater visibility into their sources of supply and address sustainability requirements. Through ongoing technical exchanges and joint development, the Company also continues to deepen its long-term partnerships with customers.
Semiconductor supply chain resilience cannot be built by any single company alone. It requires the collective participation of partners across materials, equipment, wafer manufacturing, packaging and testing, and end applications. Through the SEMI Taiwan Materials Alliance, GlobalWafers looks forward to further strengthening connections between materials suppliers and partners across the broader industry value chain, bringing together technological expertise and industry experience from different fields to jointly advance materials innovation, application development, and supply chain collaboration. Closer industry collaboration will also help customers secure more stable and traceable, and low-carbon supply of materials as they navigate the adoption of new technologies and evolving supply chain dynamics. Such collaboration will also support the continuous advancement of materials technologies, products, and services, accelerate alignment with global supply chain standards and requirements, and advance industry value enhancement and global alignment, strengthening the competitiveness of the semiconductor materials ecosystem.
GlobalWafers Chairperson and CEO Doris Hsu said, “As semiconductor technologies continue to advance, the importance of materials is rising rapidly, and continued innovation across the industry depends on close collaboration among partners throughout the value chain. GlobalWafers has established deep expertise in semiconductor wafer materials, building a comprehensive product portfolio, strong R&D capabilities, and extensive global manufacturing experience. Through the SEMI Taiwan Materials Alliance, we look forward to deepening collaboration with industry partners to jointly strengthen the resilience of critical raw materials and semiconductor material supply, enhance global supply chain connectivity, accelerate collaborative innovation across materials and the semiconductor value chain, and advance industry value enhancement and global alignment. At the same time, we remain committed to balancing supply stability with low-carbon manufacturing, helping build a stronger and more competitive foundation for Taiwan’s semiconductor materials industry and supporting the sustainable growth of the global semiconductor ecosystem.”