Swedish startup ‘NSS Water’ enters Korean semiconductor market with water purification technology
Semiconductor manufacturing requires the use of water for manufacturing processes, purifying process gases, and regulating temperature and humidity in clean rooms. Pure water is required in semiconductor manufacturing, as it needs to be free of minerals, particulates, bacteria, microorganisms, and dissolved gases found in normal water.
NSS Water, a startup based in Sweden, develops and operates pure water purification technology and control solutions for the semiconductor industry. Its solutions help reduce water usage and support nanopollution removal services, thereby improving semiconductor production efficiency.
NSSWater claims that its solutions can reduce water usage by up to 90% in certain manufacturing processes. Since it takes around 7,500 liters of water to manufacture a single wafer, water use can be significantly reduced, especially with Samsung producing more than 120,000 wafers a month.
NSSWater has a patented process and device that can produce water at the Nano Pure Water (NPW) level, which goes beyond pure water. With its proprietary technology, the company has entered the Korean market, which is a semiconductor powerhouse.
The company was selected as an outstanding startup team in NIPA’s ‘K-Startup Grand Challenge 2022‘ and is planning a full-scale domestic market expansion with the support of Big Bang Angels. Meanwhile, NSSWater is networking with potential partners in Korea and expecting to achieve tangible results.
What problems are you trying to solve?
NSS Water has developed a solution for the problem of nano contamination in water used for semiconductor manufacturing. As water is a crucial component in the process of rinsing wafers, it is imperative that there is no nano contamination left on them.
Especially when manufacturing nodes as small as 3 nanometers, any particles larger than that can pose a serious risk to the chips being produced. Unfortunately, the water used in the industry today is not sufficiently clean. However, our water is arguably the cleanest in the world!
We have also managed to decrease water use by up to 90% in certain manufacturing processes. Currently, it is estimated that one wafer requires around 7500 liters of water during the manufacturing process.
Considering that Samsung produces over 120,000 wafers per month, this results in an enormous amount of water usage. With our solution, we can significantly reduce water consumption.
How are you trying to solve this problem?
At NSS Water, we have developed a patented process and a specialized unit that produces what we call NPW(Nano Pure Water). This highly purified water is produced on-site, right next to the semiconductor manufacturing machines, rather than being transported from a water factory. This is because extreme purity is needed in the water as quickly as possible.
Not only is our NPW solution highly effective, but it’s also environmentally friendly. Our process uses less energy, eliminates the need for harmful chemicals, and drastically reduces water usage.
What are some of the competitive advantages that NSS Water has over its competitors?
Our team’s extensive experience in the semiconductor industry has been invaluable in developing this technology. We’ve spent years researching and refining our approach, and we’re confident that our water purification system outperforms anything else on the market.
Our solution is not only highly effective, but also cost-efficient and easy to use. It’s also easily customizable and scalable to fit the specific needs of our clients. By approaching the problem from a different perspective, we’ve been able to develop a unique and innovative product that sets us apart from our competitors.
What is your product?
Currently, we are conducting pilot tests in Sweden with our partners, and we plan to release our first product by the end of this year. For those who are interested in our solution, we have some units available for early adoption.
Our main focus for Q1 and Q2 of 2023 has been on automating and controlling the system’s processes. Since our product is used in a cleanroom environment, it’s crucial to have remote control over the system, and we have just finished developing this capability.
What is the market size your products targeting? Who are key target customers?
Our primary target market is the semiconductor industry, but we are also interested in any market that requires ultra-pure water, such as the life sciences and biochemistry industries. We are aware of the rapid growth of the semiconductor market worldwide, with different regions enacting “chip acts” to boost semiconductor manufacturing and research.
Why did you enter the Korean market?
Korea is an extremely important market for us, especially given its prominence in both semiconductor manufacturing and research. Since Sweden doesn’t have a large semiconductor market, being in Korea puts us in a better position to access this industry. Additionally, with the increasing technology cooperation between Sweden and Korea, it’s becoming easier for us to do business here. We were thrilled to be a finalist in the K-startup Grand Challenge, which has provided us with a lot of support and recognition.
What is your business model?
Our business model primarily involves catering to other businesses, commonly known as B2B or business-to-business. In other words, we provide our services and solutions to companies that require extremely pure water for their manufacturing processes, with a focus on the semiconductor industry.
As a B2B company, we prioritize building strong relationships with our clients, delivering custom solutions tailored to their specific needs, and providing exceptional customer service and support.
Can you tell me about some of the significant milestones that NSS Water has achieved?
To date, we have been actively networking and establishing contacts with potential partners, and we are pleased with the progress we have made.
What’s Your team’s competitive advantages?
Our team’s diverse background and extensive experience in the industry are some of our key strengths. Not only that, we also share a great passion and enthusiasm for our project, making us a fun and dynamic team to work with.
What do you need the most to enter the Korean market?
Expanding into the Korean market is a top priority for us, and we understand that building strong relationships with key industry players and potential partners is essential for success.
In addition to seeking out new contacts, we are actively engaging with potential collaborators to explore pilot projects that can help us better understand the market and customer needs. We also recognize the importance of securing funding to fuel our growth, and we look forward to meeting with Korean investors who share our vision and can help us achieve our goals.
Ultimately, we believe that establishing a strong network of partners and investors in Korea will be crucial to our long-term success in this important market.
