Samsung Outsources Photomask Production for the First Time

According to reports, photomasks are essential raw materials in chip manufacturing, and Samsung has traditionally produced them in-house to safeguard sensitive technology. Now, for the first time, the company is outsourcing part of this process.

According to industry sources, Samsung placed orders in early September with PKL, a photomask manufacturer based in Cheonan and a subsidiary of U.S.-listed Photronics. PKL will supply i-line and KrF photomasks used in memory chip production. Meanwhile, Tekscend Photomask, a Korean unit of Japan's Toppan Holdings, is also under evaluation and expected to receive orders soon.

Samsung's decision marks a major shift in strategy after decades of strict self-production. The company's existing equipment for making i-line and KrF photomasks has become outdated, with some tools no longer supported. Upgrading would require high costs, making outsourcing a more practical option for low-end photomasks where technology leakage risks are lower.

Even so, security remains critical. Photomask suppliers operate under strict protection measures—networks are isolated, and even visiting clients are not allowed digital access.

By outsourcing low-end masks, Samsung can focus more resources on advanced photomasks like ArF and EUV, which are vital for cutting-edge nodes. Although Samsung initially considered outsourcing ArF photomasks as well, potential suppliers produce them outside Korea, which would require government approval due to legal protections on advanced processes. To avoid complications, Samsung decided to continue in-house production for ArF.

The demand for photomasks keeps rising as chip designs grow more complex. DRAM once required 30–40 masks, but with multiple patterning techniques, advanced DRAM production now uses over 60.