日本专家直言：中国永远造不出合格光刻胶？国产突破正在改写规则

Core Viewpoint - The debate surrounding high-end photoresists highlights the ongoing competition between China and Japan in the semiconductor materials sector, emphasizing the importance of domestic industry discourse and technological independence [1][5]. Group 1: Market Dynamics - Japanese companies dominate over 90% of the global high-end photoresist market, with major players like Tokyo Ohka Kogyo, Shin-Etsu Chemical, JSR, and Fujifilm controlling essential materials for processes from ArF to EUV [3]. - The long-standing technological advantage of Japan in photoresist production is attributed to nearly 60 years of continuous innovation in chemical synthesis, molecular design, and process optimization [3]. - China's photoresist industry has historically faced significant challenges, with a domestic production rate of less than 5% and a complete reliance on Japanese imports for high-end materials, particularly EUV photoresists used in advanced processes [3]. Group 2: China's Response - In response to technological barriers, China has adopted a dual approach of targeted breakthroughs and systematic development, prioritizing photoresists as a key area for semiconductor material innovation [4]. - Local companies such as Nanda Optoelectronics, Rongda Photosensitive, and Tongcheng New Materials have made significant progress, achieving mass production of KrF photoresists and validating ArF photoresists for small-scale sales, with domestic production rates exceeding 30% in the KrF market and double-digit growth in the ArF market [4]. - Notably, Chinese-developed EUV photoresists have entered pilot testing, achieving international advanced levels in critical metrics such as linewidth control and sensitivity optimization [4]. Group 3: Strategic Implications - The competition over photoresists transcends mere technological rivalry, as Japan seeks to stifle China's semiconductor industry growth through material monopolization, while China aims to reconstruct a self-sufficient industrial ecosystem [5]. - Despite the existing performance gaps in stability, supply capacity, and process compatibility, China's substantial market demand, ongoing research investment, and agile engineering capabilities are gradually dismantling Japan's perceived irreplaceability [5]. - The journey from laboratory innovations to large-scale commercialization for Chinese photoresists is expected to be lengthy, requiring extensive process refinement and market validation [5]. Group 4: Future Outlook - The successful validation of Chinese photoresists on a global scale would mark a significant milestone for China's semiconductor industry, symbolizing a robust response to technological hegemony [6].