🔬 Did you know that the technology behind umami seasoning is inside your computer and smartphone?
Ajinomoto, known worldwide as a food company, actually commands nearly 100% of the global market share for semiconductor insulating materials. Their product, called "Ajinomoto Build-up Film (ABF)," has become the industry standard adopted by every major semiconductor manufacturer including Intel, AMD, and NVIDIA.
How did a food company become essential to the heart of semiconductors? The answer lies in an unexpected story of technology that evolved from amino acid manufacturing.
Why a Food Company Makes Semiconductor Materials
The combination of Ajinomoto and semiconductor materials seems puzzling at first. However, tracing its history reveals a natural progression.
In the 1960s, Ajinomoto manufactured monosodium glutamate—the umami component—through organic synthesis. To make use of byproducts and intermediates from this process, the company began developing chemical products such as epoxy resin hardeners and flame retardants. This was the origin of Ajinomoto Fine-Techno.
By the 1970s, they had started basic research on insulating epoxy resins, applying their amino acid expertise. Then in the 1990s, as demand for insulating materials for semiconductor package substrates grew alongside PC advancement, Ajinomoto took on the challenge of developing the industry's first film-type insulating material.
Why ABF Revolutionized the Industry
Before ABF, insulating semiconductor substrates required applying liquid resin and drying it—one side at a time—a labor-intensive process. Ajinomoto's research team challenged themselves to convert this liquid into film form.
The impact was tremendous. The process was simplified to just sandwiching the substrate between two films using vacuum lamination. This dramatically reduced the number of steps while producing uniformly smooth surfaces. What's fascinating is the uniquely food-company approach: the idea of coating varnish onto film and "shipping it frozen" was something the semiconductor industry never imagined.
Since its adoption by major semiconductor manufacturers in 1999, ABF has continuously evolved alongside circuit miniaturization. Today, it holds nearly 100% of the global market share for high-performance PC insulating materials.
The "Secret Sauce" Formulation Technology
ABF's competitive edge lies in its proprietary technology for blending more than 10 types of raw materials. The formula combining organic epoxy resins, hardeners, and inorganic filler particles is internally called the "secret sauce."
Organic and inorganic materials typically don't mix well, but Ajinomoto applied mixing and dispersion techniques cultivated through years of food research to achieve both uniform insulation and excellent processability. This formulation expertise, combined with close customer collaboration and solution-oriented proposals, creates high barriers to competitor entry.
Expansion into Low-Temperature Curing Adhesives: Plainset
In January 2026, Ajinomoto Fine-Techno exhibited their industrial adhesive material "Plainset" at the 40th NEPCON Japan. This product also leverages their amino acid expertise.
Plainset's key feature is its ability to cure at temperatures as low as 80°C. While conventional epoxy adhesives require high-temperature curing, Plainset can handle assembly of heat-sensitive electronic components. At temperatures of 120°C to 150°C, it achieves curing in just seconds, dramatically improving production efficiency.
Low-temperature curing offers another crucial benefit. Adhesives cured at high temperatures generate stress when materials contract during cooling. Low-temperature curing minimizes this stress, contributing to long-term product reliability.
Fujifilm: Another Japanese Success Story in Technology Pivot
Ajinomoto's case draws attention as a successful example of Japanese corporate technology transfer. Fujifilm achieved similar success.
When facing the crisis of plummeting photographic film demand, Fujifilm thoroughly inventoried the technologies they'd developed. Collagen, the main ingredient in photographic film, also maintains skin elasticity. The anti-oxidation technology preventing film degradation could be applied to anti-aging skincare.
Through this redefinition of their technology, Fujifilm successfully launched "ASTALIFT" cosmetics and regenerative medicine businesses, transforming from a photography company into a total healthcare company.
Growing Importance of ABF in the AI Era
With AI development and data center demand expanding, high-performance semiconductor demand is surging. Server, data center, and AI substrates can have 3.5 times the board area and three times the layer count compared to PC versions—ABF usage is expected to increase more than tenfold.
Predictions suggest the market could reach approximately 1.2 trillion yen by 2030, and Ajinomoto is accelerating capital investment ahead of schedule. Meanwhile, challengers like US startup Thintronics are emerging to take on Ajinomoto's dominant position.
From Food to Semiconductors: The Power of Understanding Technology's Essence
Ajinomoto's success lies in discerning the essence of existing technologies and exploring applications in new markets. Chemical expertise born from umami seasoning production now supports critical infrastructure in today's digital society.
Ajinomoto's purpose is to "contribute to the well-being of all human beings, our society, and our planet through AminoScience®." Food and electronic materials—seemingly disparate businesses—are actually connected through the common technological foundation of amino acids. This "invisible technological continuity" is the source of the company's strength.
In Japan, people express surprise and pride that a food manufacturer like Ajinomoto supports cutting-edge technology. Are there companies in your country that are active in unexpected fields? What do you think about the fusion of food and semiconductors? Please share your thoughts in the comments!
References
- https://www.ajinomoto.co.jp/company/jp/rd/our_innovation/abf/
- https://www.aft-website.com/products/insulating_film-abf/
- https://www.aft-website.com/products/adhesives-encapsulants-plenset/
- https://story.ajinomoto.co.jp/rd/017.html
- https://www.nikkei.com/article/DGXZQOUC037ZE0T00C21A9000000/
- https://eetimes.itmedia.co.jp/ee/articles/2601/29/news052.html
Reactions in Japan
Just learned Ajinomoto makes CPU insulation. The idea that frozen food and computers come from the same company is wild.
I'm a semiconductor engineer. Stable ABF supply is literally our lifeline. During COVID, I was asked weekly 'Is ABF procurement secured?'
Heard a US startup is challenging Ajinomoto, but 20+ years of know-how creates a high barrier. Materials tech can't be easily copied.
100% share makes me worry about antitrust issues. If supply stops, global PC production halts, right?
I own Ajinomoto stock but honestly didn't know ABF business was this important. Bought it as a food sector play, turns out it's a semiconductor stock.
Whether Fujifilm or Ajinomoto, companies that can transfer core tech to other fields are strong. That's what separated them from Kodak.
Shipping adhesive frozen—that idea only comes from a food company. Great example of cross-industry knowledge driving innovation.
My company is also thinking about technology transfer beyond our core business. But we shouldn't forget Ajinomoto took 60 years to get here.
ABF stands for Ajinomoto Build-up Film. So straightforward.
Maybe better to buy Ajinomoto stock than NVIDIA. Guaranteed to benefit from AI boom, plus food business diversifies risk.
Japanese companies controlling unglamorous but essential materials deserve more attention. Flashy startups aren't the only source of innovation.
We're considering the low-temp curing adhesive at our factory. We've struggled with heat-sensitive sensor assembly, so high expectations.
Love how they call it 'secret sauce'—very food company. Corporate culture directly becoming technical strength.
From an economic security standpoint, shouldn't the government protect strategic material production like ABF? One factory shutdown would be catastrophic.
Job hunting student here. My view of Ajinomoto changed. Interesting that they're both a food manufacturer and a high-tech company.
Japan's manufacturing strength is in 'invisibly supporting the world.' But it's never reported, so ordinary people don't know.
Ajinomoto only made me think of the panda mascot, but turns out they're a semiconductor behind-the-scenes player. Love the gap.
If Taiwan contingency happens, not just TSMC but ABF supply could stop too. Ajinomoto factories are in Japan but customers are in Taiwan.
I work at a Taiwan substrate manufacturer. Without ABF, our production line can't run for a single day. We want to reduce dependence on Japanese suppliers, but the reality is there's no alternative.
As an American, I'm hopeful about Thintronics. Supply chain diversification is a key CHIPS Act goal. But overtaking Ajinomoto's technical lead won't be easy.
In Germany, our Mittelstand often dominates specific global niches too. Ajinomoto is like Japan's version of a 'hidden champion' company.
Chinese companies have tried developing similar products, but quality isn't stable. Materials science requires accumulated time—you can't catch up just by throwing money at it.
Samsung in Korea also depends on ABF. There's localization efforts, but escaping Japan-dependence for semiconductor materials is hard. This is technical reality, separate from politics.
In France, Ajinomoto is only known as 'the amino acid company.' Surprising they're a semiconductor materials giant. Japanese corporate diversification strategies offer much to learn.
India aims for semiconductor manufacturing, but self-sufficiency in critical materials like ABF is difficult for now. Perhaps we should consider tech partnerships with Japan.
I work at a car factory in Mexico. Didn't know this material story was behind automotive chip supply issues. Supply chains are truly complex.
I do R&D at a Polish chemical company. Ajinomoto's tech accumulation is impressive. But monopoly status is also a risk for the entire industry.
I'm an investment analyst in Australia. Ajinomoto is undervalued as a 'seasoning stock.' If ABF business value is properly priced in, shares should go higher.
In Egypt, Japanese products are highly trusted. The pursuit of quality from food to semiconductors—that's the strength of Japanese companies.
I teach materials engineering at a Swedish university. When I introduce the Ajinomoto case, all my students are surprised. It's a textbook success in technology transfer.
I'm at a Brazilian electronics manufacturer. First heard ABF during the chip shortage. Those of us making final products often don't know about such suppliers.
Vietnam has many Japanese electronics parts factories. Companies like Ajinomoto make Asia's manufacturing supply chain possible—I feel that strongly.
I'm in procurement at a Spanish IT company. Japan-dependence for semiconductor materials is debated in Europe too. But we can't compromise on quality.
I write a tech blog in Nigeria. Semiconductor topics are growing in Africa, but this is my first time learning about upstream material companies like this.
I'm a Japanese engineer in Silicon Valley. Here, 'Japan=old tech' is a common perception, but when I mention ABF, people look at me with respect.