Glass substrate stocks soar on game-changing prospects

[Courtesy of SK Supex Council]

Glass substrate stocks are on the rise Tuesday morning as the next-generation chip material is gaining attention as a game-changer in the chip packaging industry.

Shares of SKC Co. were trading at 167,900 won ($121.4) on Tuesday as of 10:55 a.m., up 3.64 percent from the previous day. Shares of HB Technology Co. soared 19.92 percent to 4,335 won while those of Philoptics Co. 6.56 percent to 22,750 won, Ycchem Co. 2.67 percent to 23,100 won, and Chemtronics Co. 2.64 percent to 27,250 won

HB Technology supplies glass substrate inspection equipment to Absolics Inc., a subsidiary of SKC, which is engaged in efforts to commercialize glass substrates.

Next-generation semiconductor materials, such as glass substrates, are gaining attention as a game changer that can improve data speed and power consumption in semiconductor packaging compared to conventional plastic substrates.

Glass substrates have smoother surfaces than plastics, making them suitable for ultra-fine semiconductor packaging. They also eliminate the need for intermediate substrates, making it easier to reduce substrate thickness and consume about 30 percent less power than other packaging materials.

Although still in the development stage, glass substrates are gaining attention amid the boom in the artificial intelligence (AI) sector where rapid data processing is crucial.

On the same day, HK inno.N Corp. shares also surged on the improved earnings guidance.

Shares of HK inno.N were trading at 39,900 won as of 10:59 a.m., up 9.92 percent from the previous day.

HK inno.N’s second-quarter operating profit is estimated to have grown 12 percent year-on-year in the ethical drug (ETC) business thanks to the growth of hypertension and diabetes-related treatment drugs and technology fees from the export of IMB-101, according to DB Financial Investment Co.

HK inno.N’s momentum is rising on expectations of potential U.S. export of its novel drug for gastroesophageal reflux treatment K-Cab.

Korean nuclear power stocks, in the meantime, also gained ground amid expectations of new nuclear power plant orders in the Czech Republic.

Shares of Korea Electronic Power Industrial Development Co. were trading at 12,360 won as of 11:01 a.m., up 9.48 percent from the previous day.

Doosan Enerbility Co. stock was trading 1.67 percent higher at 21,350 won and Daewoo Engineering & Construction Co. 2.8 percent higher at 3,855 won.

In May, Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co. (KHNP), along with Doosan Enerbility and Daewoo E&C, submitted a bid for the construction of four nuclear power plants in Dukovany and Temelin in the Czech Republic.

The project is estimated to be worth more than 30 trillion won. Electricite de France SA is a contender for the KHNP. The preferred negotiator is expected to be selected in mid-July.