Precision Surface Engineering through OEM/ODM Excellence

Precision Surface Engineering through OEM/ODM Excellence

Introduction

A leading manufacturer of high-purity cerium oxide (CeO₂) polishing powders faced the challenge of diversifying its market presence beyond standard glass abrasives. By pivoting to a client-centric OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) and ODM (Original Design Manufacturer) model, the company successfully partnered with a global high-precision optics firm to develop a bespoke polishing solution. This collaboration resulted in an improvement in surface finish consistency and established a scalable blueprint for customized rare-earth material production.

The Challenge

Standard cerium oxide powders often fail to meet the rigorous demands of advanced industries such as semiconductor lithography and precision aerospace optics, where surface roughness must be reduced to sub-nanometer levels. The client, a tier-one optical lens producer, struggled with inconsistent material removal rates (MRR) using off-the-shelf products. They required a unique formulation with:

Specific Particle Morphology: A transition from standard irregular particles to uniform spherical self-assembled nanoparticles for enhanced surface activity.

Controlled Purity: Purity levels exceeding 99.9% to prevent micro-scratching from impurities.

Custom Suspension Stability: A specialized slurry chemistry to ensure uniform dispersion in high-speed automated polishing systems.

The Solution: Collaborative ODM Innovation

As an ODM partner, the manufacturer initiated a multi-stage R&D process to engineer a proprietary polishing compound tailored to the client’s unique substrate.

Chemical-Mechanical Polishing (CMP) Optimization:

The team leveraged the dual action of cerium oxide, combining mechanical abrasion with a chemical reaction that softens the silica surface layer. 

Custom Particle Engineering:

Utilizing a liquid-phase precipitation method, the manufacturer developed a powder with a controlled particle size. This precise range was selected to balance aggressive defect removal with the need for a flawless, mirror-like finish.

OEM Branding & Packaging:

Under the OEM agreement, the final product was delivered in customized, moisture-resistant industrial packaging, branded with the client's specifications, and integrated directly into their global supply chain.

Results

The customized ODM solution transformed the client’s production efficiency:

Surface Quality: Achieved a surface roughness (Ra) reduction, meeting ultra-smooth processing standards.

Production Throughput: The optimized chemical reactivity increased the polishing removal rate, leading to an increase in polishing speed without compromising quality.

Cost Efficiency: By minimizing material wastage and the need for secondary  polishing steps, the client realized significant long-term operational savings.

Conclusion

This case study demonstrates that for cerium oxide manufacturers, the value-add lies in technical customization. By offering OEM/ODM services, the manufacturer moved from being a commodity supplier to a strategic engineering partner. This model allows industries to access specialized formulations that optimize both performance and cost.