ExxonMobil Expands 99.999% Ultra-Pure Isopropyl Alcohol Production, Targeting Semiconductor Market

ExxonMobil is preparing to increase isopropyl alcohol (IPA) production, aiming to produce 99.999% ultra-pure isopropyl alcohol to meet growing demand from the semiconductor industry.

ExxonMobil's Baton Rouge plant will be upgraded to produce this high-purity isopropyl alcohol to meet growing demand through 2027.

"Our experience and expertise at the Baton Rouge manufacturing complex enables us to provide an end-to-end U.S. supply chain for isopropyl alcohol to U.S. chipmakers," the company said in a statement.

As semiconductors continue to increase in size and complexity, next-generation chips require isopropyl alcohol with a purity of up to 99.999%. This high purity is critical to avoid damaging the delicate circuits of chips, especially those as small as 2 nanometers.

Isopropyl alcohol is used in semiconductor manufacturing to dry the surface of wafers and remove impurities, making ultra-pure isopropyl alcohol a key ingredient in chip production.

According to Reuters, the company expects to spend $100 million to expand the plant.

ExxonMobil has been producing isopropyl alcohol since 1920 and has continuously improved its production technology. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the company is the largest producer of isopropyl alcohol for hand sanitizer in the United States.