Stockwatch...Which Publicly traded companies in Canada manufacture Nitric Acid (HNO₃) and Ammonium Hydroxide (NH₄OH)?

Stockwatch...Which Publicly traded companies in Canada manufacture Nitric Acid (HNO₃) and Ammonium Hydroxide (NH₄OH)?

In Canada, two publicly traded companies stand out for their involvement in manufacturing Nitric acid (HNO₃) and Ammonium hydroxide (NH₄OH):

🧪 1. Nutrien Ltd. (TSX: NTR)

• Headquarters: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

• Industry: Fertilizers and industrial chemicals

• Nitric Acid & Ammonium Hydroxide Production:

• Nutrien is one of the largest nitrogen producers globally, with facilities that manufacture ammonia, nitric acid, ammonium nitrate, and ammonium hydroxide.

• Their nitrogen products are used in agriculture, industrial manufacturing, and electronics.

• Facilities: Operates nine nitrogen production sites across Canada, the U.S., and Trinidad.

🧪 2. Chemtrade Logistics Income Fund (TSX: CHE.UN)

• Headquarters: Toronto, Ontario

• Industry: Industrial chemicals and services

• Nitric Acid & Ammonium Hydroxide Production:

• Chemtrade manufactures and distributes inorganic chemicals, including nitric acid and ammonium hydroxide, for use in water treatment, electronics, and chemical processing.

• Their products meet high-purity standards required for semiconductor and industrial applications.

• Distribution Reach: North America-wide, with multiple production and blending facilities.

These companies are key suppliers to industries like semiconductors, agriculture, mining, and electronics, where ultra-pure chemical inputs are essential. If you're exploring investment opportunities or sourcing options, both Nutrien and Chemtrade offer strong industrial footprints and diversified portfolios.

------------------------------

Here's how Nitric acid and Ammonium hydroxide are used in semiconductor chip manufacturing:

🧪 Nitric Acid (HNO₃)

🔍 Primary Roles:

• Oxidizing Agent: Used to remove organic residues and metal contaminants from wafer surfaces.

• Etching: Helps etch silicon and metal layers, especially in combination with other acids like hydrofluoric acid.

• Surface Preparation: Prepares wafers for subsequent deposition or doping steps.

⚗️ Common Applications:

• Metal Etching: Particularly effective for aluminum and copper layers.

• Post-Implant Cleaning: Removes residues after ion implantation.

• Oxide Growth Support: Facilitates formation of thin oxide layers in thermal oxidation processes.

💧 Ammonium Hydroxide (NH₄OH)

🔍 Primary Roles:

• Base Component in RCA Clean: A standard cleaning protocol developed in the 1960s, still widely used today.

• Particle Removal: Excellent at lifting particles and organic contaminants from silicon wafers.

• Surface Conditioning: Helps maintain surface integrity before photolithography.

⚗️ Common Applications:

• RCA SC-1 Clean: A mixture of ammonium hydroxide, hydrogen peroxide, and deionized water. Removes organic residues and particles.

• Etching of Oxides: Can be used to etch silicon dioxide layers under controlled conditions.

• Post-Etch Cleaning: Neutralizes acidic residues and prepares surfaces for further processing.

🌍 Why Purity Matters

Both chemicals must meet ultra-high purity standards—often parts per trillion (ppt)—to avoid introducing defects into microchips. Even trace impurities can compromise performance or yield.

You can dive deeper into their roles in this Alliance Chemical guide or explore ammonium hydroxide’s evolution in chipmaking via this detailed report.

Would you like to explore how these chemicals are managed for environmental safety or how they're evolving for next-gen chips?

--------------------------------