IST E said on Thursday it signed a supply contract with SK Hynix for semiconductor automation equipment. The total contract value is 4.4 billion won. That equals 10.68 percent of its 2024 annual revenue. The company plans to deliver the equipment by Oct. 1, 2026.

The equipment to be supplied is a sorter. It is one type of automation equipment that supports automated wafer operation in clean semiconductor production lines. IST E will newly supply an essential piece of semiconductor manufacturing equipment rather than the FOUP cleaner and PECVD equipment it has delivered previously.

A sorter selects, classifies and transfers wafers. IST E said it improved the precision and reliability of robots that handle wafers, providing convenience and the ability to respond to automation needs. The equipment to be delivered will be applied to SK Hynix's new M15X line, which is set to begin operations this year.

IST E is a company that sells OLED equipment and runs a hydrogen energy EPC business, centered on semiconductor equipment. It listed on the KOSDAQ market in February 2025. It has received orders for FOUP cleaner equipment from global companies including SK Hynix and Amkor Technology Korea and has been supplying them. In November last year, it succeeded in entering the market for core semiconductor process equipment by converting SiCN PECVD equipment, which it supplied as a demo to SK Hynix, to mass production application and sales.

Cho Chang-hyun (조창현), IST E's chief executive, said the equipment order is essential for new lines in semiconductor production. He said he finds it encouraging that it will be applied to SK Hynix's M15X line, which it invested in anew to improve semiconductor market conditions and strengthen high bandwidth memory (HBM) competitiveness, following its M16 plant.

"In addition to this equipment, we have built a close cooperative relationship with customers for FOUP cleaners and PECVD equipment, so we will strive to continue winning additional orders in line with continued investment in new lines," he added.