As China continues to emerge fabless chip design startups, resulting in a short supply of photomask shields (pellicle) for wafer fabrication Arf and Krf lithography processes, prices are rising.

Photomask film used to protect the photomask, according to Korean media The Elec reported that South Korea's only photomask film manufacturer FST mask export revenue ratio this year is expected to increase from 30% last year to 40% this year.

Earlier this year, 3M, an upstream raw material supplier, had to close its plant in Belgium to comply with local environmental protection laws, and higher raw material prices have led to higher photomask shroud prices.

In addition, several photomask film manufacturers are also developing new films for advanced process nodes such as EUV, resulting in an overall decline in production.

source：aijiwei