Calumet Electronics Leads US Organic Substrate Technology Innovation with KLA Corporation

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Calumet Electronics of Michigan today announced it is pioneering organic substrate technology in the United States in collaboration with KLA Corporation, which also has a Michigan headquarters. IC substrate technology, which serves as the foundation of semiconductor packaging, is one of the most critical factors in chip and system performance. This technology will enable many advanced applications, including next-generation aerospace, high performance computing and artificial intelligence (AI). It will also serve commercial applications, including advanced packaging solutions that are essential for next-generation technologies such as 5G/6G, edge computing, and high-performance communications.

Four years ago, Calumet Electronics, one of the nation’s leading manufacturers of printed circuit boards, was called upon to expand domestic manufacturing of organic substrates. With the support of US government customers, Calumet has successfully created prototypes, but as a small company they knew having partners with broader experience and scale would be essential as they move forward. KLA Corporation was an obvious choice. The two companies have a history that spans more than two decades. That relationship, and KLA’s position as a global technology leader, made the collaboration a natural fit.

“KLA brings tooling and equipment, but most importantly, they offer deep expertise in both semiconductor chip manufacturing and advanced packaging,” said Calumet Electronics CTO Meredith LaBeau. “They serve as mentors to our team, and our companies have a synergy that will allow us to grow together to develop this groundbreaking work.” Calumet is currently building a new 40,000 sq. ft. panel-level organic substrate factory — one of the first of its kind in the United States — to accommodate the expansion and catalyze the nation.

KLA has customers around the world that are developing substrates, but they are especially pleased to have a close technology partner in Michigan. “It’s exciting to have our latest systems heading to Calumet Electronics,” said Chet Lenox, KLA fellow, industry and customer collaboration. “Collaborating with the team at Calumet is a unique opportunity to help a customer reach its goals with our technical solutions, while positioning us at the vanguard of establishing IC substrate manufacturing in the U.S.”

California-based KLA Corporation is a global technology leader that develops equipment and services to enable innovation throughout the electronics industry. The company provides advanced process control and process-enabling solutions used in the manufacturing of semiconductors and electronics. In 2021, KLA opened its state-of-the-art Ann Arbor campus, which serves as the company’s second U.S. headquarters.

Calumet’s aim is to join KLA as a global leader in producing next-generation technologies. “There is a deep need for commercial and strategic products to stay onshore,” said LaBeau. “It’s an economic advantage and a matter of national security. But this challenge can’t be solved just by Calumet — other companies will need to step up. We believe the United States can successfully develop substrate technology here at home. We want to serve as a catalyst for others by showing that it can be done.”