Mark Osborne, Editor-in-Chief, Semiconductor Fabtech

ABSTRACT
New 300mm fab announcements have cooled in comparison with 2Q06, when nine new fab plans were revealed.  This quarter, four fabs were announced but only two are to start construction in 2006.  First phase tool installs are also projected to be down in the second half of the year compared to the first.  However, the number of first phase tool installs are projected to increase sequentially through both the first and second halves of 2007.  Ramp rates are reviewed in some key areas, highlighting the challenges of aggressive 300mm fab ramps.