aweXome Ray readies EUV pellicle material for commercial debut

South Korean startup aweXome Ray announced Monday that it has completed preparations for the commercial production of carbon nanotube (CNT) membranes intended for use in extreme ultraviolet (EUV) pellicles. The company has established a dedicated production line in Anyang, Gyeonggi Province, following a successful fundraising campaign that brought in 7.5 billion won ($5.3 million). This marks the first major step in transitioning from research and development into industrial-scale manufacturing and customer delivery. The new clean room facility will initially focus on producing samples for evaluation by potential clients. According to aweXome Ray, initial shipments and revenue generation are expected after these evaluations are finalized. However, the company has not disclosed specific names of prospective buyers or given a definitive timeline for when commercial supply might commence. EUV lithography plays a critical role in fabricating the complex circuitry found in high-end semiconductors. Pellicles serve as ultra-thin protective layers over photomasks, shielding them from contamination such as dust particles. As EUV systems evolve to deliver higher power output, the demand for pellicles that can endure increased thermal stress while maintaining optical transparency becomes more pressing. aweXome Ray claims its CNT membranes meet these requirements due to their exceptional thinness, lightweight properties, and superior heat resistance. The firm possesses proprietary direct-spinning technology that enables the continuous fabrication of CNT membranes and fibers. This innovation is central to its ability to scale production efficiently and maintain consistent product quality. The capital infusion was led by a mix of semiconductor industry-linked firms and financial institutions. Strategic investors include S&S Investment, affiliated with S&S Tech, a producer of photomasks and EUV pellicles, and Wonik Investment Partners, connected to the broader Wonik Group, which operates in semiconductor equipment and materials. Additional backers encompassed entities like Wonik Investment Partners and Hanwha Investment & Securities via a co-managed fund, alongside Re Investment, L&S Venture Capital, KNET Investment Partners, Union Investment Partners, and Ascendo Ventures. The involvement of investors tied to the semiconductor sector underscores the perceived market viability of aweXome Ray's technology and is anticipated to facilitate the shift towards large-volume manufacturing. A defense-oriented fund, also managed by Wonik Investment Partners and Hanwha Investment & Securities, showed interest, hinting at possible applications of the company's CNT fibers and membranes beyond the semiconductor industry, potentially in aerospace and defense sectors. In parallel with its commercial efforts, aweXome Ray is engaged in a separate 3.6 billion won development initiative supported by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups' Deep Tech Challenge program. Additionally, the company has received 600 million won in backing from the Korea Technology Finance Corp.'s Unicorn Bridge program and qualifies for up to 20 billion won in technology-backed guarantees. CEO Gihm Se-hoon described the establishment of the production line and securing of funds as pivotal milestones in the company's evolution from an R&D-centric entity to one capable of delivering advanced materials to its clientele. He emphasized the need to finalize client assessments before advancing the commercial deployment of CNT-based EUV pellicle membranes. Earlier this year, aweXome Ray moved its headquarters to Jeju Science Park as part of an investment pact with the local government. The company is currently in the process of choosing an underwriter for a planned technology-driven stock market offering slated for 2028.