Absolics, a U.S. subsidiary of South Korea’s SKC, has completed its first plant in Covington, Georgia, with an investment of approximately 300 billion won ($222 million). The facility is set to commence mass production of glass substrate prototypes, signaling a key moment in the evolving glass substrate market.
Glass substrates are increasingly favored over traditional plastic substrates due to their ability to process large volumes of data quickly and their superior energy efficiency. While still in its early stages, the global glass substrate market is anticipated to expand dramatically, from $23 million in 2023 to an estimated $4.2 billion by 2034, according to The Insight Partners.
The market’s expansion was initially driven by Intel’s announcement last year to integrate glass substrates into its products by 2028, backed by a substantial investment of 1.3 trillion won. AMD is also stepping up its efforts, aiming to introduce glass substrates between 2025 and 2026, partnering with global component firms to maintain a competitive edge.
Among the major players, Samsung Electro-Mechanics plans to start mass production in 2026 after completing prototype production next year. LG Innotek is gearing up to enter the market by organizing a dedicated business unit this year.
The current plastic substrate market, led by companies like Japan’s Ibiden and Shinko Electric Industries, and Taiwan’s Unimicron, faces a significant shift towards glass substrates. This transition is driven by the need for higher performance semiconductors, particularly in artificial intelligence applications.
The stakes are high for companies like SKC, Samsung Electro-Mechanics, and LG Innotek as they invest heavily in research and development and form strategic collaborations. Their success in this competitive landscape will depend on their ability to innovate and meet the growing demands of the semiconductor industry.
