ACM Research Enters Fan-out Panel Level Packaging Market with Introduction of Ultra C vac-p Flux Cleaning Tool for Chiplets

FREMONT, Calif., July 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ACM Research, Inc. (ACM) ( ACMR), a leading supplier of wafer processing solutions for semiconductor and advanced wafer-level packaging applications, today announced the Ultra C vac-p flux cleaning tool for fan-out panel-level packaging (FOPLP). Utilizing vacuum technology, the new tool efficiently removes flux residues from chiplet structures. ACM also announced today it received a purchase order from a major China semiconductor manufacturer which has been shipped to the customer’s facility in July.

“The demand for greater computing power, lower latency and higher bandwidth driven by AI, data centers and autonomous vehicles makes FOPLP an increasingly essential technology.” said Dr. David Wang, ACM’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “FOPLP integrates multiple chips, passive components and interconnections within a single panel-packaged unit, enhancing flexibility, scalability and cost-efficiency. ACM’s Ultra C vac-p represents a major advancement in addressing the cleaning challenges associated with next-generation advanced packaging technologies. This launch not only underscores ACM’s ongoing innovation in semiconductor manufacturing, but also our commitment to address the evolving needs of the industry."

According to Yole Group¹, FOPLP adoption will grow faster than the overall fan-out market, and its market share will move from 2% in 2022 to 8% in 2028. The growth of FOPLP is primarily driven by its potential cost savings. For instance, panels typically utilize more than 95% of the material due to their rectangular or square shape, whereas traditional silicon wafers use less than 85% of the material due to their circular shape. The effective area of a 600x600mm panel is also 5.7 times larger than that of a traditional 300mm silicon wafer, enabling overall cost reductions of approximately 66%. This enhanced area utilization leads to higher throughput, greater AI chip design flexibility, and significant cost savings.

The Ultra C vac-p tool addresses critical steps in the advanced packaging process, particularly the removal of flux residue before underfilling, which is essential for eliminating voids. Traditional cleaning methods often fail with small bump pitches (less than 40 microns) and large chip sizes due to surface tension and limited liquid penetration. The vacuum technology in ACM’s new tool ensures the cleaning liquid thoroughly reaches all gaps, even in large panel substrates where traditional methods fall short. Combined with ACM’s proprietary IPA drying technology, this comprehensive cleaning process prevents residues that could impair device performance.

About the Ultra C vac-p Cleaning Tool

The Ultra C vac-p Cleaning tool is designed for panel substrates and accommodates both organic and glass materials. It is capable of handling panels sized 510 mm x 515 mm and 600 mm x 600 mm, while effectively managing cover warpages up to 7mm.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements contained in this press release are not historical facts and may be forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as “plans,” “expects,” “believes,” “anticipates,” “designed,” and similar words are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on ACM management’s current expectations and beliefs, and involve a number of risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict and that could cause actual results to differ materially from those stated or implied by the forward-looking statements. A description of certain of these risks, uncertainties and other matters can be found in filings ACM makes with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, all of which are available at www.sec.gov. Because forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, actual results and events may differ materially from results and events currently expected by ACM. ACM undertakes no obligation to publicly update these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that occur after the date hereof or to reflect any change in its expectations with regard to these forward-looking statements or the occurrence of unanticipated events.

About ACM Research, Inc.

ACM develops, manufactures and sells semiconductor process equipment for single-wafer or batch wet cleaning, electroplating, stress-free polishing, vertical furnace processes, Track and PECVD, which are critical to advanced semiconductor device manufacturing and wafer-level packaging. ACM is committed to delivering customized, high-performance, cost-effective process solutions that semiconductor manufacturers can use in numerous manufacturing steps to improve productivity and product yield. For more information, visit http://www.acmr.com/.

© ACM Research, Inc. ULTRA C and the ACM Research logo are trademarks of ACM Research, Inc. For convenience, these trademarks appear in this press release without ™ symbols, but that practice does not mean ACM will not assert, to the fullest extent under applicable law, its rights to such trademarks. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

¹ Gabriela Pereira, semiconductor packaging analyst for Yole Group cited in “Fan-out Packaging Level Hurdles,” Semiconductor Engineering, January 24, 2024.