Stage 3 Semiconductor equipment manufacturer：From Leadmicro to Autowell
Jen Chen | 11. April 2025
Stage 3, igus:bike was kicking off a visit to semiconductor manufacturers in Wuxi City. Let’s follow Jacky Yin and Zhifei Qu to check it out!
Leadmicro is a global manufacturer of high-end micro- and nano-scale equipment for the semiconductor and broader semiconductor-related industries. It is a leading enterprise in China’s ALD (Atomic Layer Deposition) equipment sector. The company pioneered the large-scale application of ALD technology in photovoltaic cell production, and launched the industry-advanced TOPCon 2.0 full-line process solution. It is also the first domestic company in China to apply mass-produced High-k ALD equipment to the front-end production line for 28nm node integrated circuit manufacturing.
Since 2018, Leadmicro has consistently trusted igus’ products and services. Its designated suppliers also rely on igus’ energy chains and cables. Leadmicro and igus share a common philosophy—both are driven by innovation and dedicated to creating value for customers. This time, the igus:bike, which is made from recycled plastics, caught their attention as well. They were impressed by its commitment to sustainability and low-carbon design.
Then, we visited Autowell, a leading manufacturer of photovoltaic string welding machines, with a global market share exceeding 70%. The company is also highly competitive in the lithium battery and semiconductor sectors, becoming a key automation equipment supplier in the industry. Autowell’s photovoltaic equipment is known for its excellent compatibility, and the company is able to deliver customized solutions tailored to clients’ specific needs. This is one of the key reasons why Autowell chose igus— thanks to igus’s broad product portfolio and modular design capabilities, it can effectively support a wide range of customization requirements.
Engineers from the Execution and Strategic Procurement Departments, as well as from R&D, found the design of the igus:bike to be innovative and stylish, and many of them gave it a try.
Today’s cycling journey concluded at Nanchan Temple, a historic site with a legacy of 1,478 years. Throughout its long history, it has seen periods of prosperity and decline, having been destroyed in wars and rebuilt many times. Interestingly, 50% of the raw materials used in the eco-friendly plastic bicycle come from ocean waste—primarily discarded fishing nets. Through recycling and innovation, they’ve been transformed into durable urban bikes. Two seemingly unrelated things, yet they share similar adventures.
Our rider: Jacky Yin
Hi, I’m Jacky. I’m excited to go cycling today with Zhifei Qu, Steve Liu, and Vin Fan in Wuxi City. Igus is committed to the “plastic circular economy” and believes that even waste plastics can create new life.
Map of the tour
