Reports from Chinese media indicate that JSR, Tokyo Ohka Kogyo (TOK), and Shin‑Etsu Chemical plan to raise global photoresist prices effective October 1, 2026, with overall increases exceeding 15% . Increases vary by product tier:

• ArF long‑term contracts: +16–22%

• Immersion ArF for HBM: up to +24%

• Spot orders: +32–38%

• KrF standard grades: +9–14%

• KrF for 3D NAND thick‑film: +18–20%

According to Nikkei, the top three photoresist suppliers – TOK, JSR, and Shin‑Etsu – held 60.5% global market share in 2025, up 0.3 points from 2024. Given their dominance, broad price hikes would significantly impact the semiconductor supply chain.

However, no official price increase announcements have been found on the three companies' websites, and the original source of the reports remains undisclosed. Domestic wafer fab sources told ICwise that a previous round of photoresist price hikes had already occurred, but they have not received new notices – though JSR reportedly raised prices for some customers by ~15%. A Taiwan‑based fab executive noted that half of its photoresist suppliers began adjusting prices around July 2026, with increases of ~10%; the remaining suppliers held prices steady, and the fab's strong bargaining power limited the impact.

ICgoodFind Takeaway:
The photoresist price hike rumors are still unconfirmed – but the trend is clear: supply is tightening and costs are rising. Buyers should watch for official notices and prepare procurement and cost contingency plans.