FUJIFILM: Expanding to Enhance EU Semiconductor Procurement

FUJIFILM Corporation has announced plans to enhance its European manufacturing capabilities with new production facilities for CMP slurries—critical materials in semiconductor manufacturing—at its site in Zwijndrecht, Antwerp.

Additionally, the company will upgrade existing facilities for photolithography-related materials to support growing industry demand.

With Europe’s digital transformation driving increased demand for automotive and industrial semiconductors, procurement and supply chain strategies are under pressure to secure reliable, high-quality materials.

FUJIFILM's 4bn Yen (US$26.75m) investment in Belgium aims to strengthen regional supply chains, improve material availability and support sustainable sourcing in semiconductor production.

"We are pleased to announce Fujifilm's continued commitment to expanding our semiconductor materials production capabilities here in Zwijndrecht," comments Hans Vloeberghs, President & Managing Director at FUJIFILM Electronic Materials Europe. 

"In response to the increasing demand from our customers, particularly in the automotive and industrial sectors, this 25 million EUR investment will enable us to establish new production facilities for CMP slurries, while also enhancing our existing facilities for photolithography-related materials."

Meeting increasing demand for semiconductors

Global semiconductor shortages of recent years have exposed critical vulnerabilities in supply chains, with widespread disruption across industries. From 2020 to 2023, demand far outstripped supply due to factors such as COVID-19, trade restrictions and logistical challenges.

The impact was severe, impacting everything from consumer electronics to automotive manufacturing, with soaring prices and compromised safety standards as companies scrambled to secure components.

While supply has since stabilised, demand is now accelerating at an unprecedented pace, driven by rapid advancements in AI, 5G and 6G networks, autonomous vehicles and immersive technologies such as the metaverse.

In response, procurement strategies must evolve to ensure resilience, mitigate risks and support sustainable semiconductor production.

Strengthening supplier partnerships, diversifying sourcing channels and investing in regional manufacturing capabilities will be critical to maintaining a steady and secure supply in this dynamic landscape.

Without significant expansion in semiconductor production, the global manufacturing sector could face another, even more severe shortage—this time exacerbated by AI’s growing role in the industry.

FUJIFILM’s latest investment aims to mitigate this risk by strengthening the supply of advanced semiconductor materials. Over the 2024–2026 period, the company plans to invest billions globally in research, development, and capital expansion to enhance its semiconductor materials business.

As part of this strategy, Fujifilm is rapidly scaling up production capacity. Recent investments include enhancements to development, production and quality evaluation for advanced resists at its Shizuoka site in Japan and Pyeongtaek site in South Korea, alongside expanded CMP slurry production at its Kumamoto site in Japan.

Expanding CMP slurry production in both Japan and Belgium is a critical step in ensuring a stable semiconductor supply chain.

For procurement teams, these developments reinforce the importance of securing reliable, high-quality materials to support the continued advancement of semiconductor manufacturing.

Why CMP Slurries are essential for semiconductor development

CMP (Chemical Mechanical Planarisation) slurries are essential in semiconductor manufacturing, with demand projected to increase at an annual rate of 13%.

As semiconductor devices become more complex, featuring smaller nodes and additional layers, high-performance CMP slurries are critical to ensuring manufacturing precision and efficiency.

CMP is a specialised form of chemical mechanical polishing, where surfaces are meticulously smoothed using a combination of chemical and mechanical forces. These slurries enable the precise planarisation of wafer surfaces, ensuring the uniformity and reliability required for advanced chip performance.

CMP slurries contain a carefully formulated mix of abrasive particles and chemical agents, which remove excess material while maintaining strict control over surface smoothness.

As semiconductor technology advances, procurement teams must prioritise sourcing high-quality CMP slurries to support the production of next-generation chips and maintain supply chain resilience.

FUJIFILM recognises the vital importance of advanced semiconductor materials and is investing heavily to expand its capabilities at a pivotal time for the industry.

By enhancing its diverse semiconductor portfolio, the company aims to strengthen supply chain resilience and support the growing demand for high-performance components. Its extensive product range includes photoresists, photolithography-related materials, CMP slurries, post-CMP cleaners, thin-film chemicals, polyimides and high-purity process chemicals.

Additionally, FUJIFILM offers WAVE CONTROL MOSAIC, a specialised range of colour filter materials for image sensors, further reinforcing its position as a key supplier in semiconductor manufacturing.

By supporting both cutting-edge and legacy semiconductor production, FUJIFILM is committed to helping manufacturers overcome industry challenges and drive innovation. Leveraging its global supply network and advanced R&D capabilities, the company provides comprehensive  solutions to semiconductor producers worldwide.

With its latest investment in Belgium, FUJIFILM is directly addressing the needs of EU-based manufacturers, ensuring a stable and sustainable supply of essential semiconductor materials.

Enhancing semiconductor procurement within the EU

Hans continues: "Building upon our strategic investment announced in April 2023, which last year marked a significant milestone with the partial start of production operations, this new expansion underscores our dedication to supporting the growth of Europe's semiconductor industry.

"As part of the continued growth of Fujifilm's global semiconductor materials production network globally, this development further strengthens Fujifilm's position in the market and demonstrates our commitment to meet the evolving needs of our customers."

With this expansion, FUJIFILM’s Belgium site will join its existing CMP slurry production network, which already includes facilities in the US, Taiwan, South Korea and Japan.

The addition of Belgium will create a six-site global network, enhancing supply chain resilience and ensuring a stable, reliable supply of CMP slurries to semiconductor manufacturers worldwide.

Beyond CMP slurries, FUJIFILM is also enhancing production facilities for developer solutions used in the photolithography process at its Belgium site.

This investment is strategically designed to support the increasing European demand for automotive and industrial semiconductors, strengthening the company’s role as a key supplier in the sector.

The EU forecasts that chip demand will double between 2022 and 2030, with a sharp increase in the need for leading-edge semiconductor technologies.

This surge presents a significant opportunity for key industry players like FUJIFILM, as European semiconductor market revenue is expected to reach US$68.44bn this year. 

With its latest investment in Belgium, FUJIFILM is ensuring that European manufacturers gain greater access to a stable, high-quality supply of essential semiconductor materials for industrial and automotive applications.

The new CMP slurry production facilities and upgraded developer production facilities at the Belgium site are set to begin operations in spring 2026, further reinforcing FUJIFILM’s commitment to strengthening Europe’s semiconductor supply chain.

Hans concludes: "This investment is not only a testament to our confidence in the European semiconductor industry's growth potential but also a crucial step towards ensuring we have the local capacity and capability to deliver high-quality materials needed for cutting-edge semiconductor production here in Europe."

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