KOBE Precision, Inc. (KPI) was established as a subsidiary of Kobe Steel, Ltd., in November of 1987 with the primary purpose of manufacturing and selling aluminum ground substrates for computer memory disks in the United States. During the twelve years of its disk operation, from October 1988 through January 2000, KPI became the number one worldwide supplier of aluminum ground substrates. KPI closed its disk operation in January 2000 due to declining pricing trend of disks and a decreased demand for aluminum substrates in the U.S. market.

In 1993, KPI decided to venture into the semiconductor industry by providing wafer reclaim and polishing services to semiconductor companies. KPI began researching the market by asking major semiconductor companies what they liked and disliked about the existing wafer reclaim services. After this marketing phase, we set out to create a new reclaim process that would advance the basic techniques that had been in place since the industry started in the 1970.

AUTOMATED WAFER POLISHING: A fully automated polishing line provides the technology and capability to produce wafers demanding some of the most stringent requirements. These polishers are capable of monitoring pad temperature, pad life and slurry flow to maintain consistent quality throughout processing cycle. Integrated wafer de-mounting offers additional automation to reduce the amount of operator handling..

After two years of research and development, and a lengthy qualification with a major global semiconductor company, the new Precision Reclaim Process™ was ready for volume production. In April 1996, volume production of commercial reclamation silicon wafers began. We quickly added capacity in three expansion phases while maintaining a reputation for world class quality and highly responsive service supporting the most prominent players in the semiconductor industry

We remove all of the non-silicon materials from the wafer surface and then recondition the wafer to "super clean" standards. The patented Precision Reclaim Process™ has been offering the lowest cost of ownership to customers with consistent minimal removal for any type of used wafer. As the semiconductor business migrates toward larger silicon wafers, the economic need to reclaim both used test wafers and failed product wafers escalates. Reclaiming fills this demand by "recycling" wafers and returning them to the original customer for use in test wafer applications. This unique process is of great value to the customers as they enjoy more reclaim cycles per wafer, consistent product quality and unparalleled service.

KPI also offers finished reclaimed and virgin test wafers for sale. This is different from the reclaim service in that the customer does not need to send in wafers for reclaim.

KPI's total quality control (Kaizen) is based on its conviction that continued growth will be possible only through continuous quality improvement and ever increasing productivity.

AUTOMATED WAFER CLEANING: All wafers are processed through a fully automated, multi-bath cleaning tool, designed to support 150mm, 200mm and 300mm diameter wafers. Chemical preparation, replenishment and integrated drying, provide state-of-the-art cleaning with high capacity through-put.