ST. LOUIS, July 2 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- Citing the growing importance of the role chemicals are playing in advanced semiconductor applications, SAFC, a member of the Sigma-Aldrich Group (Nasdaq: SIAL), today unveiled the new identity of its SAFC Hitech brand following the acquisition of UK-based chemicals supplier, Epichem Limited. The company outlined its unique business proposition, offering a total supply chain partner capability with global sales and local service to deliver market-leading chemicals expertise to the silicon and compound semiconductor industries worldwide.
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With the addition of Epichem's expertise and industry relationships, built up over the past 25 years, SAFC Hitech now offers a rich compound and silicon semiconductor skill set for the development, integration and large-scale manufacture of chemical vapor deposition precursors for conductive films, barrier layers, high-k dielectrics for advanced gate stacks, low-k dielectrics for inter-level dielectric layer (IDL) applications and specialty optical or surface modification coatings.
"We acquired Epichem because of their unique understanding of advanced chemistries for the silicon and compound semiconductor markets," said Frank Wicks, President of SAFC. "This is a valuable extension of our own unique understanding of manufacturing production-scale high-purity chemicals, our global supply chain infrastructure and financial strength. Combined, we offer our customers access to chemicals expertise, close collaboration on the development of new materials and process integration schemes, and the ability to quickly scale-up to volume production levels. This unique business model accelerates technology progression and time-to-market, giving SAFC Hitech a strong competitive edge in serving the semiconductor industry."
The role of chemistry in semiconductor manufacturing is rapidly evolving as the industry strives to keep pace with Moore's Law. The need for increased performance and smaller design rules brings greater complexity in device manufacturing, especially on the gate level where molecular chemistry is being applied. Going forward, Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), chemical companies and Integrated Device Manufacturers (IDMs) will need to interface directly with one another to develop the best chemistries, process technologies and integration schemes for particular applications.
"As we continue to find innovative materials for next generation technology nodes, the need for greater collaboration between process engineers, tool manufacturers and chemical companies becomes critical," said Barry Leese, President of SAFC Hitech. "What we will experience moving forward is an increased commitment to a turnkey approach through increasing levels of cooperation. This signals a change in the traditional business model. SAFC Hitech is well positioned to capitalize on this market opportunity, guiding customers successfully through the entire supply chain and production process, from research and development through pilot production to commercialization and materials disposal."
SAFC Hitech will unveil its product roadmap for the silicon and compound semiconductor markets on July 17th at Semicon West 2007 in San Francisco, CA. Further information on the company can be found online at its new Web site -- http://www.safchitech.com
About SAFC: SAFC is the custom manufacturing and services group within Sigma-Aldrich that focuses on high-purity inorganics for high technology applications, cell culture products and services for biopharmaceutical manufacturing, biochemical production and the manufacturing of complex,
multi-step organic synthesis of APIs and key intermediates. SAFC has manufacturing facilities around the world dedicated to providing manufacturing services for companies requiring a reliable partner to produce their custom manufactured materials. SAFC has four operating segments -- SAFC Pharma, SAFC Supply Solutions, SAFC Biosciences, and SAFC Hitech -- and had annual sales of nearly $500 million in 2006. SAFC is one of the world's 10 largest fine chemical businesses.
About Sigma-Aldrich: Sigma-Aldrich is a leading Life Science and High Technology company. Our biochemical and organic chemical products and kits are used in scientific and genomic research, biotechnology, pharmaceutical development, the diagnosis of disease and as key components in pharmaceutical and other high technology manufacturing. We have customers in life science companies, university and government institutions, hospitals and in industry. Over one million scientists and technologists use our products. Sigma-Aldrich operates in 36 countries and has 7,600 employees providing excellent service worldwide. We are committed to accelerating Customers' success through leadership in Life Science, High Technology and Service. For more information about Sigma-Aldrich, please visit our award-winning web site at http://www.sigma-aldrich.com.
About SAFC Hitech: SAFC Hitech provides a unique chemistry service translating application understanding into performance materials worldwide. Through collaborative partnerships and an integrated approach from research and development, process development and scale up to commercial manufacturing, SAFC Hitech invests in innovation and manufacturing enabling current and future technology needs.
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