April 9, 2025 /SemiMedia/ — Japanese semiconductor metrology company Horiba Ltd. has acquired 100% of South Korean chip equipment maker EtaMax. While financial terms were not officially disclosed, the deal is estimated at around JPY 3 billion ($20.4 million).

Founded in 2008, EtaMax employs about 40 people and generates annual sales of approximately JPY 1 billion. The company specializes in photoluminescence systems used to detect scratches and defects on semiconductor wafers. It is particularly strong in providing inspection tools for gallium nitride (GaN)-based power semiconductors.

Horiba, a leading supplier of Raman spectroscopy systems for semiconductor material analysis, aims to expand its wafer analysis product line through this acquisition. The integration of EtaMax's technology is expected to accelerate new product development and strengthen Horiba’s footprint in advanced power device inspection.

With this move, Horiba targets JPY 235 billion in annual sales from its semiconductor and advanced materials segment by 2028, a 60% increase from current levels.