[KoMiCo Lab] The Hidden Core Technology of the Semiconductor Industry: Understanding Semiconductor Equipment Parts Cleaning

■ Rapid Growth of the Korean Semiconductor Industry

 Since the 1980s, Korea has fostered the semiconductor industry as a national strategic sector.
In memory semiconductors, Samsung Electronics and SK hynix have led the global market, establishing semiconductors as Korea’s top export item and a key driver of the national economy.

 Amid this growth, specialized service providers like KoMiCo, offering semiconductor equipment parts cleaning and coating technologies, have emerged to support the industry’s stable development.

■ Why Semiconductor Equipment Parts Cleaning Services Are Essential

 Regular chamber preventive maintenance (PM) is indispensable in semiconductor manufacturing to maintain equipment stability and yield. During processing, particles and by-products accumulate inside the chamber. Without proper management, these contaminants can re-disperse, causing wafer defects and degrading equipment performance.

 The critical solution lies in specialized cleaning technologies for semiconductor equipment parts. This goes beyond simple washing—optimized processes are required to completely remove accumulated residues while minimizing surface damage and corrosion. Professional cleaning providers deliver tailored solutions based on material properties and process history, extending part lifetimes and restoring equipment to near-original condition.

 Furthermore, systematic history management, eco-friendly chemical usage, and wastewater treatment reduce customer burdens and contribute to ESG management. External specialized cleaning is not merely a maintenance activity, but a strategic choice that safeguards the core competitiveness of semiconductor manufacturing.

■ Shift in Responsibility for Cleaning Operations

 In the early stages of the semiconductor industry, equipment cleaning was mainly carried out by in-house engineers at chip makers. However, as processes became more miniaturized and equipment structures more complex, simple washing was no longer sufficient to solve contamination issues.

• Early Stage (Chip Maker-led): In-house engineers performed cleaning directly
• In-Line Stage: In-house contract personnel assisted with cleaning
• Outsourcing Stage: Specialized cleaning companies took full responsibility externally

 This shift was not just a transfer of labor—it marked the evolution of cleaning into a highly advanced technological domain. Cleaning has now become a critical factor that directly impacts semiconductor quality and yield, requiring increasingly specialized services.

 

■ The Need for Specialized Cleaning Companies

Semiconductor equipment is worth billions of dollars, and the components inside are also extremely costly. Replacing these parts increases manufacturing costs and affects productivity.

Specialized cleaning technologies therefore play a crucial role: they remove accumulated contamination while minimizing part damage, enabling reuse, extending part lifetimes, reducing costs, and ultimately improving yield.

Today, specialized cleaning services are no longer optional—they are an essential technology for semiconductor manufacturers to maintain stable operations and secure competitiveness.

Since 1996, KoMiCo has pioneered the market as the first company in Korea to introduce semiconductor equipment parts cleaning technology. For nearly 30 years, we have accumulated diverse cleaning technologies and expertise aligned with process advancements, growing into a specialized enterprise through collaboration with global semiconductor leaders.

Looking ahead, KoMiCo will continue to leverage its long-standing experience and technical capabilities to keep customers’ equipment at optimal performance and maximize production efficiency.

In the rapidly evolving semiconductor industry, we will remain a trusted partner—delivering state-of-the-art cleaning solutions that exceed customer expectations and drive shared growth.

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<About KoMiCo>

KoMiCo, established in 1996, was the first company in Korea to commercialize cleaning and coating services for semiconductor equipment components. With global operations spanning the United States, China, Taiwan, and Singapore, KoMiCo has earned quality certifications from some of the world’s leading semiconductor manufacturers, solidifying its position as a Global No.1 in the industry.

Building on its advanced cleaning and coating technologies, KoMiCo continues to enhance its core business while expanding into the development and supply of key OEM components for semiconductor equipment. Moving forward, the company remains committed to improving customers’ productivity and yield, and aims to become a global leader in the semiconductor component cleaning, coating, and manufacturing industry.