- Ajinomoto is best known for MSG, but it also manufactures semiconductor equipment
- It dominates the production of the ABF insulating film used in GPUs and CPUs
- The company provides for an increase in capacity of 50% with more investment by 2030
Ajinomoto is a Japanese company known for the production of MSG, or monosodium glutamate – the flavor of flavor omnipresent commonly used in food, especially in Asian cuisine.
As one of the largest MSG manufacturers in the world, the company is often closely associated with the ingredient – the name “Ajinomoto” is in fact translated by “the essence of taste” in Japanese.
Right now, you are probably wondering why Techradar ProRIGHT? Well, it is because Jinomoto should massively expand his investment in the semiconductor sector.
Increase in ABF production of 50%
A report of Nikkei Asia Affirms that the Japanese company of food and biotechnology plans to stimulate the production of the Ajinomoto construction film (ABF), a key insulating material used in the packaging of CPUs and advanced GPUs, where it helps to ensure thermal stability and electric insulation.
First developed using the expertise of the amino acid chemistry (you can read the whole story here), ABF is now essential for high-performance semiconductor substrates and Ajinomoto holds more than 95% market share in its category.
Nikkei Asia Said that Jinomoto has already spent 25 billion yen in the past two years to extend production in its Gunma facilities, northwest of Tokyo and Kawasaki, but it is now looking to increase the 50%ABF production capacity.
“We will invest the same amount or more by 2030 as demand increases,” said President Shigeo Nakamura, who played the role in February 2025, in an interview Nikkei Asia.
“We are also exploring the establishment of new bases,” he added, although this expansion should stay in Japan.
The acceleration of the ABF by Ajinomoto is not a surprise, since Nakamura previously worked in research and played a key role in the development of the company’s electronic materials division.
“We expect sales of electronic materials, mainly ABF, to increase at an annual rate of more than 10% to 2030,” Nakamura told the information site.
“We will continue to meet the needs by evolving ABF to a more functional form which supports long-term high performance semiconductors.”
