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Sumitomo Chemical to Expand its High-Purity Alumina Portfolio to Accelerate Business Growth in the Advanced Semiconductor Market
May. 7, 2026
Sumitomo Chemical has announced the launch of its new high-purity (*1) alumina (*2) product line, the ELA series of low alpha radiation, high-purity fine spherical alumina products. The Company will step up its efforts to expand its high-purity alumina business aimed at advanced semiconductor-related fields while also accelerating innovation in the area of inorganic materials.
As semiconductors become more highly integrated and are required to deliver increasingly higher performance, there is growing demand for semiconductor encapsulant materials with reduced radiation, such as alpha radiation, which can trigger malfunctions in advanced semiconductors, as well as improved heat dissipation properties. Dongwoo Fine-Chem Co., Ltd., a wholly-owned Korean subsidiary of Sumitomo Chemical, has successfully developed a new product line that meets these needs: the ELA series of low alpha radiation, high-purity fine spherical alumina products, the world’s first of its kind (*3).
The ELA series offers the advantages of having both extremely low radiation levels and excellent heat dissipation properties. These features make it particularly well suited for applications that require a high level of reliability, such as advanced semiconductors for AI. In addition, its particle size can be precisely controlled to within several micrometers or less, and its surface properties can be customized to suit specific applications to meet the needs of customers.
Sumitomo Chemical is also expanding its lineup of high-purity alumina products for use in ceramic equipment materials and process materials, as performance requirements for these applications are becoming increasingly rigorous due to advances in the semiconductor manufacturing process. For its previously launched NXA series of ultra-fine alumina products, the Company is working with customers to explore ways to take full advantage of the product line’s high performance potential, and has verified that the use of the NXA series has led to significant performance improvement in these applications.
In recent years, as the advanced semiconductor market has seen increased demand for even higher performing peripheral materials, expectations for solutions using inorganic materials have grown. By positioning its ELA series and NXA series as key product lines that will drive growth in its high-purity alumina business, Sumitomo Chemical will work to globally expand its sales in the field of advanced semiconductors. The Company will also strive to strengthen its collaborations with customers and advance the development of new grades of high-purity alumina to meet customer needs. In doing so, it will continue to contribute to the growth of the semiconductor industry, which supports digital innovations such as AI and data communications, and the achievement of a smart society.
*1 Purity levels of 99.99% or higher
*2 Alumina is made by heating aluminum hydroxide at high temperatures.
*3 As of the publication of this press release on May 7, 2026; based Sumitomo Chemical’s own research
Features of the ELA series of low alpha radiation, high-purity fine spherical alumina products
・ Low alpha radiation: Minimizes radiation, including alpha radiation, that may lead to malfunctions in advanced semiconductors. Suited for use in advanced packaging.
・ Excellent heat dissipation properties: Excellent heat dissipation properties that help enhance the heat dissipation performance of encapsulants.
・ Customizable fine spherical particles: Particle size can be controlled to within several micrometers or less, and surface properties can be modified to suit specific applications.
「ELA-2000UF」 「ELA-500UF」
Features of sintered ceramics using the NXA series of ultra-fine alumina products
・ Bending strength: Approximately 1.5 times higher than that of sintered ceramics using the Company’s existing fine alumina products
・ Plasma resistance: Approximately 2 times higher than that of sintered ceramics using the Company’s existing fine alumina products
・ Characteristics of sintered ceramics: High density and fine structure
The NXA series, which also provides translucence, is increasingly used in applications that require optical properties and sophisticated product design.
Microstructure of sintered ceramics Microstructure of sintered ceramics
using NXA-100 using the Company’s existing fine alumina AKP-50
From left: NXA-100, NXA-150, and AKP-50, an existing fine alumina product
Reference
Sumitomo Chemical’s Product Databook https://www.sumitomo-chem.co.jp/english/products/files/docs/en_a06008.pdf
Contact
Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd.
Corporate Communications Dept.
https://www.sumitomo-chem.co.jp/english/contact/public/