9 Etchant Manufacturers in 2024
This section provides an overview for etchants as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 9 etchant manufacturers and their company rankings.
Table of Contents
What Is an Etchant?
Etchant is an agent that corrodes metals and metal oxides and is used to process substrates. Compared to processing methods such as pressing, etching is a method with superior microfabrication properties, and wet etching methods using etchant are more cost-effective and easier to mass-produce than dry etching using gases. The type of compound that reacts differs depending on the type of metal, so the appropriate etchant should be selected according to the substrate material.
Since etchant often contains strong acids, strong bases, and toxic compounds, it is necessary to select protective equipment and take safety measures prior to use.
Etchant Applications
Etching is a method of processing metals such as gold and aluminum, and metal oxides such as indium tin oxide (ITO) by immersion removal. There are two types of etching: dry etching, which uses gas, and wet etching, which dissolves the metal in a solution.
Compared to press processing, etching enables fine processing and is used in the production of printed circuit boards, semiconductor devices, and displays. In manufacturing, the two methods are used separately: dry etching is used when precision processing is required, and wet etching is used when cost and mass production are required.
Etching Methods and Etchant Types
Dry etching is an etching process using gas or plasma. It is superior in microfabrication, but requires special conditions such as a vacuum, making it costly and unsuitable for mass production.
Wet etching, on the other hand, uses etchant containing compounds that corrode metals. Different compounds react and dissolve differently with different types of metals, so a variety of etchants are available.
For example, some etchants contain strong acids such as hydrochloric acid and nitric acid, strong bases such as sodium hydroxide, and heavy metal ions with high oxidizing power such as iron(III) chloride.
Etchant Effluent Treatment
Etchant dissolves metals by ionizing them, so the liquid after use contains a large amount of heavy metal ions. Therefore, untreated etchant effluent cannot be discharged into the environment. Therefore, etchant waste treatment is generally outsourced to a specialized waste treatment company.
Since etchant effluent contains strong acids and bases, there is a risk that the container may corrode during storage, depending on the container material. Therefore, it is important to first select an appropriate container with chemical resistance. Etchant may be irritating to the skin and eyes before or after use. When handling etchant, the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) should be carefully read in advance, and appropriate protective equipment should be worn and handled with extreme caution.
List of 9 Etchant Manufacturers
*Including some distributors, etc.
Sort by Features
- Default
- Company Size: largest first
- Year Founded: oldest first
- Year Founded: earliest first
Sort by Area
- United States of America
- Japan
- Republic of Korea
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PACE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
Metallographic Etchants
Manufacturer Overview
Pace Technologies Corporation was established in 2007 and is based in Tucson, Arizona as a manufacturer of advanced metallography equipment. The company offers a diverse range of metallographic products, including metallographic sample preparation equipment, consumables, accessories, analysis software, and laboratory furniture. These products are produced to help clients analysize and study the microstructure of metals, ceramics, plastics, minerals, and many other applications. The company offers user-friendly ordering information along with instant communication services to ensure customer satisfaction.
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R.S. Hughes Co., Inc.
Activators, Primers & Etchants
Distributor Overview
R.S. Hughes Co., Inc., Sunnyvale, CA, in 1954 is a distributor of industrial safety supplies. The company's product portfolio includes adhesives, abrasives electrical and static control tapes, labeling and safety products. Their products are used in industries such as Food and Beverage, Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology, Chemical and Petrochemical, Industry safety and healthcare. They offer custom packaging, warehousing, customer support and distribution services and they have 46 warehouse sites in the United States and Mexico.
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NIHON KAGAKU SANGYO CO.,LTD.
Etchant Agent
Manufacturer Overview
Nihon Kagaku Sangyo Co., Ltd. was founded in 1924 and is headquartered in Taito-ku, Tokyo, Japan, and is a manufacturer of industrial chemicals and molded products. The business has two pillars: the chemical business that manufactures organic and inorganic metal-based compounds and the building materials section that manufactures products from the fusion of metal surfaces. The product portfolio spans a diverse range, including inorganic chemicals surface treatment agents, eaves, mailbox and fireproof ventilation molding, and environmental solutions. The products meet the needs of many different industries including chemicals for use in precision instruments, electronics, ceramics, petrochemical catalysts, battery materials, and more.
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KANTO CHEMICAL CO.,INC.
Performance Chemicals
Manufacturer Overview
Kanto Chemical Co. Inc., founded in 1944 and headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, is a reagent manufacturer with overseas affiliates in other countries, including China, France, USA, Taiwan, and Malaysia. Its product portfolio includes analytical reagents, ionic liquids, Iodine compounds, ultra-pure chemicals, and water analysis kits. The company is also developing regenerative medicine and genetics reagents and has over 50,000 products. It has several certifications, including ISO 9001, acquired in 1994, making it the first Japanese company in the reagent industry. Other certifications are ISO 14001, ISO 13485, and ISO/IEC 17025.
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MITSUBISHI GAS CHEMICAL COMPANY, INC.
ELM clean, Chemicals for electronics industry
Manufacturer Overview
Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Company Inc., established in 1918 and headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, is a chemical manufacturer that makes basic and fine chemicals and functional materials. The company has two business divisions, namely basic chemicals and functional chemicals, and its product portfolio includes electronic industry cleaning agents, MMA derivatives, hydrogen peroxide, xylene separation products, and laminated materials for printed circuit boards. In 1981, the company took the first step towards geothermal power development, and today, it is involved in geothermal power projects in five locations, including the 50,000-kilowatt Sumikawa Geothermal Power Plant, where it commenced operations in 1995.
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Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation
High Performance Wet Etchant for Semiconductor/FPD Industries
Manufacturer Overview
Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation was founded in 1933 and has a head office in Tokyo, Japan. Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation provides products including chemicals, industrial gases, and health care products to customers globally. Mitsubishi Chemical Group’s performance products division manufactures and distributes. functional food materials, electronic and electrical components, specialty chemicals, and other products. Mitsubishi Chemical health care products include pharmaceuticals, drug discovery solutions, diagnostic reagents, and instruments for medical use. Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation also provides other services such as engineering, information systems, logistics, and consulting.
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YAMAKIN
Multi Etchant
Manufacturer Overview
YAMAKIN CO., LTD. is a manufacturer with a comprehensive range of services, specializing in manufacturing Dental Porcelain fused to Metal and Indirect Composite Resin, catering to dental professionals' specific requirements. The company is also known for its production of precious alloys designed for dental applications, backed by extensive research and development efforts mainly for precious metals and dental materials. Additionally, it has ISO 13485 certification, offers specialized processing of precious ground metals, and actively engages in trading gold, platinum, silver, palladium, and other precious metals.
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Meta Biomed Co. Ltd.
Meta Etchant
Company Overview
Meta Biomed Co., Ltd. is a South Korean manufacturer and supplier of medical equipment that was established in Cheongju, Chungcheongbuk-do, in 1990. The company primarily produces bone materials such as synthetic bone grafts, dental products such as endodontic materials, and suture materials such as bio-absorbable sutures. It also offers bioceramics, biotechnology, and biomaterials research and development (R&D) services. The company’s products are used mainly in the biotech, dentistry, and medical industries. It operates internationally with overseas branches in Southeast Asia, Europe, and North America.
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Reliance Orthodontic Products, Inc.
BLUE GEL ETCHANT
Company Overview
Reliance Orthodontic Products Inc., established in 1981 and located in Itasca, Illinois, is a bonding adhesive manufacturer. It specializes in adhesives and other products for orthodontic dental work, including bracket and specialty adhesives, band and crown cements, indirect bonding agents, and alignment solutions. The company supplements its products with an online learning portal called Reliance U, which provides instructional videos, webinars, studies, publications, and other resources. Its products include TheraWax, GoTo Paste, and Assure Plus, and are carried by distributors worldwide.
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Etchant Manufacturer Ranking
*Including some distributors, etc.Number of Employees
- Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation: 42,127
- MITSUBISHI GAS CHEMICAL COMPANY, INC.: 9,888
- KANTO CHEMICAL CO.,INC.: 1,062
Newly Established Company
- YAMAKIN: 1957 (67 years ago)
- KANTO CHEMICAL CO.,INC.: 1944 (80 years ago)
- Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation: 1933 (91 years ago)
Company with a History
- MITSUBISHI GAS CHEMICAL COMPANY, INC.: 1918 (106 years ago)
- Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation: 1933 (91 years ago)
- KANTO CHEMICAL CO.,INC.: 1944 (80 years ago)
Etchant Manufacturers in United States
*Including some distributors, etc.
Global Distribution of Etchant Manufacturers by Country
*Including some distributors, etc.
| Country | Number of Companies | Share (%) |
|---|---|---|
Japan
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5 | 62.5% |
United States of America
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2 | 25.0% |
Republic of Korea
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1 | 12.5% |
