Shaping the future of semiconductor technology through global collaboration

A global R&D network is accelerating next-generation semiconductor manufacturing through collaboration and open innovation.

By SCREEN’s R&D Network and North American Initiatives

Changes transforming semiconductor development
The semiconductor industry is evolving at an unprecedented pace, driven by continued scaling of advanced logic devices, increasing memory stacking density, heterogeneous integration, and advances in advanced packaging technologies. As manufacturing processes become increasingly sophisticated and complex, it is becoming more difficult for any single company to address all technological challenges alone.

To respond to these changes, SCREEN Semiconductor Solutions Co., Ltd. (hereafter “SCREEN”) is strengthening a global R&D network that connects Japan, North America, and Europe. Through collaboration with universities, research institutes, and technology partners worldwide, SCREEN is accelerating the development of next-generation semiconductor technologies.

As a leading supplier of wafer processing equipment to the global semiconductor industry, SCREEN maintains the No. 1 global market share in wafer cleaning equipment* and offers a broad portfolio of solutions supporting semiconductor manufacturing, including lithography, annealing, inspection and measurement systems.

ATCA: SCREEN Advanced Technology Center of America, Albany, NY

As semiconductor technologies advance and process requirements become increasingly complex, SCREEN continues to expand its research and development activities through partnerships with universities, research institutes, and technology organizations around the world. Through these efforts, the company is accelerating next-generation semiconductor innovation and creating new opportunities for growth.

*Based on SCREEN in-house research.

ATCA: The core of SCREEN’s North American R&D strategy
As an important hub within SCREEN’s global R&D network, SCREEN established the SCREEN Advanced Technology Center of America (ATCA) in Albany, New York, in December 2025. Located within the Albany NanoTech Complex, one of the world’s leading semiconductor research facilities, ATCA is SCREEN’s newest overseas R&D center and provides a unique environment for technology validation and process evaluation aligned with leading-edge device development. SCREEN’s presence in Albany will enable direct evaluation of how process technologies affect actual semiconductor device performance. ATCA engineers will work alongside SCREEN researchers, onsite partners, and other members of the Albany semiconductor ecosystem, giving them strong visibility into emerging process and integration challenges. ATCA will also serve as a hub for North America-focused partnerships with universities, start-ups, and suppliers, while creating a new pathway for future employees to join SCREEN and develop their careers and technical skills.

ATCA is currently building the infrastructure needed for full-scale 300 mm research activities, centered on SCREEN’s core expertise in wafer cleaning technologies and positioned for future expansion into thermal processing and advanced packaging applications. SCREEN’s presence within the Albany ecosystem will ignite new ideas and support acceleration of new technology into SCREEN products.

Technology initiatives supporting ATCA
The SCREEN Group has built its businesses around its core technologies, “Surface Control & Processing” and “Imaging & Patterning,” cultivated over many years, and has delivered a wide range of solutions across diverse industries. In the semiconductor equipment business, the company is also advancing science-based technology development in areas such as Process Simulation, Reaction Engineering, Data Intelligence, and Particle & Defectivity to address the growing complexity of semiconductor devices and manufacturing processes.

At ATCA, these technology foundations are combined with collaborations involving North American research institutes and industry partners to accelerate the evaluation and practical application of technologies for next-generation semiconductor manufacturing.

One example is SCREEN’s research activities in reaction engineering near Boston, Massachusetts. Researchers are exploring chemical reaction mechanisms and novel chemistry while pursuing process innovations that can contribute to reduced environmental impact. Knowledge gained through these efforts is shared across SCREEN’s global R&D network, including ATCA, to support future technology development.

Co-Innovation with the north american semiconductor ecosystem
One of ATCA’s distinguishing features is its location at the center of North America’s advanced semiconductor ecosystem. In Albany, semiconductor manufacturers, equipment suppliers, materials companies, universities, and research institutions work together to advance next-generation semiconductor technologies. ATCA serves as a bridge connecting SCREEN with this ecosystem, helping the company identify emerging technology trends and future customer requirements while accelerating collaboration with partners.

PTC: SCREEN Process Technology Center, Hikone, Japan

This environment enables the early validation of new technology concepts and supports research activities aligned with future semiconductor roadmaps. More than simply a research facility, ATCA functions as an open innovation hub where external expertise and SCREEN’s technologies come together to create next-generation process solutions.

Collaboration with IBM and Applied Materials
Through collaboration with leading North American research organizations and technology companies, SCREEN is advancing the development of next-generation semiconductor technologies.

Through its collaboration with IBM, SCREEN is conducting research aimed at the High NA EUV era and future device technologies. Guided by future device roadmaps, the companies are evaluating and developing advanced process technologies for next-generation semiconductor manufacturing.

SCREEN is also collaborating with Applied Materials through activities at the META Center in Albany and the EPIC Center in Silicon Valley. By combining SCREEN’s expertise in wafer cleaning, wet etch, and surface preparation technologies with Applied Materials’ strengths in materials engineering, the companies are driving the development of next-generation process solutions.

By linking these collaborations with ATCA’s activities, SCREEN aims to accelerate technical discussions, technology validation, and process evaluation with research partners while helping improve yield, performance, and reliability for increasingly complex semiconductor devices.

Connecting research and product development through ATCA and PTC
SCREEN continues to strengthen an integrated development framework that connects research, technology validation, and product development through collaboration between ATCA in the United States and the Process Technology Center (PTC) in Japan.

Located in Hikone, Japan, PTC serves as the company’s primary center for equipment and process development. Through customer demonstrations and development activities based on customer requirements, PTC transforms manufacturing challenges into practical products and solutions.

Meanwhile, ATCA explores and evaluates future technologies through collaboration with North American research institutes and technology partners. Knowledge and evaluation results generated at ATCA are transferred to PTC and product development organizations, helping accelerate the conversion of new ideas into customer value.

Looking ahead
As semiconductor technology continues to advance, collaboration across companies, universities, and research institutions will become increasingly important in fields such as new materials, novel device architectures, heterogeneous integration, advanced packaging, and sustainable manufacturing technologies.

SCREEN is pursuing next-generation semiconductor innovation by integrating co-innovation within the North American semiconductor ecosystem centered on ATCA, science-based technology development in specialized areas, and product and process development activities at PTC.

By connecting expertise and technologies from around the world and transforming new ideas into validated technologies, products, and solutions, SCREEN seeks to contribute to the sustainable growth of the semiconductor industry. Guided by its mission, “A Better Tomorrow with Our Partners,” SCREEN will continue driving innovation through global collaboration and open partnerships.