材料汇·2025-07-13 15:22Core Viewpoint - The article emphasizes the critical role of photoresist in semiconductor manufacturing, highlighting the challenges faced by domestic companies in this field and exploring potential investment opportunities amidst these challenges [4]. Group 1: Challenges in Photoresist Development - High technical barriers exist due to the complex chemical formulations required for different types of photoresists, necessitating extensive R&D and experimentation [7][9]. - Strict purity requirements for photoresists are crucial, as even minor impurities can lead to defects in chips, demanding a high level of quality control [11]. - Advanced production equipment is essential for photoresist manufacturing, which is often monopolized by foreign companies, posing a significant hurdle for domestic firms [12]. Group 2: Market Landscape - The global photoresist market is projected to reach $4.74 billion (approximately 34.33 billion RMB) in 2024, with a year-on-year growth of 1.6%, driven by the rapid development of the semiconductor industry [30]. - China's photoresist market is expected to exceed 20 billion RMB by 2029, with a compound annual growth rate of about 10% from 2024 to 2029, although high-end products remain largely imported [31]. Group 3: Domestic Opportunities and Challenges - Domestic companies are making strides in the mid-to-low-end photoresist market, with some achieving production in the KrF segment and progressing towards high-end products like EUV photoresists [33][34]. - Government policies are increasingly supportive of the semiconductor industry, providing funding and guidance for photoresist R&D, which is crucial for domestic companies to overcome technological barriers [36][37]. Group 4: Investment Considerations - Investment in the photoresist sector is seen as promising due to the growing market demand driven by advancements in technologies such as 5G and AI [44]. - The potential for domestic companies to replace imported products presents a significant investment opportunity, especially as they enhance their technological capabilities [45]. - Investors are advised to focus on companies with strong technical capabilities, market competitiveness, and excellent management teams to maximize returns [51][52][53].