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The introduction of Microsoft’s newest operating system is being touted as a key catalyst in the demand for DDR3 DRAM and improved sales of PCs for DRAM fab utilization rates improving, according to DRAMeXchange. According to DRAMeXchange, 4Q09 average monthly wafer-in production will be up to 365K for Taiwanese DRAM vendors in the fourth quarter of 2009, a rise of 68% compared with the production situation in 1Q09. Read more >>

Semiconductor fab utilization rates are set to increase to 88% in 3Q09, returning to levels seen before the current downturn, according to market research firm IC Insights. Higher production loadings should result in IC ASPs rising by 5% per annum through 2010 and 2012. According to the SICAS data, IC capacity utilization reached a low point of 57% in 1Q09, as production was slashed to stem a serious inventory build. As the inventory burn took place utilization rates rebounded to 78% in 2Q09.

 

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Texas Instruments (TI) has submitted a bid for semiconductor manufacturing equipment from Qimonda's factory in Virginia as Qimonda is currently going through bankruptcy proceedings, its assets liquidated. TI and Qimonda have submitted their agreement to the bankruptcy court, which must still approve the bid agreement. Read more >>

One of four facilities owned by Spansion for final manufacturing has been sold to Powertech Technology for approximately US$31 million. The Suzhou, China facility opened in 1998 and employs 565 workers. Spansion said the sale was in-line with plans to operate more variable, outsourced manufacturing model as it continues to reduce costs as part of its restructuring under Chapter 11 bankruptcy. PTI will provide final manufacturing services to Spansion. Read more >>

Moving from a fab-lite to a fabless business will take Integrated Device Technology (IDT) approximately two-years to complete as it plans to shift its product processes and geometries to TSMC. IDT intends plans to shutter its fab Hillsboro, Oregon and engage a third party to market the facility as a fully equipped going concern. Read more >>

UMC saw fab utilizations rates rocket in the second quarter of 2009, surpassing previous projections for the quarter. Fab utilization rates had plummeted to 30% in Q109, in response to weak demand and problems with IC inventory with customers. However, inventory restocking in ‘Q2 resulted in utilization rates reaching 79% up from an expected 75% utilization rate. UMC also guided that rates would climb further in Q309, reaching 85%. UMC said that spending would be raised to US$500 million with 82% of the budget specifically used for expanding 45/40nm and 65/55nm production and to acquire the R&D equipment for 28nm node development. Read more >>

Complying with the original stipulations set-out by New York State for being eligible for US$1.2 billion worth of financial incentives, Globalfoundries has started construction of Fab 2 at the Luther Forest Technology Campus in Saratoga County, New York. The incentives, originally attributed to AMD would have required renegotiation if the US$4.2 billion project had not started in July, 2009. Read more >>

Chartered Semiconductor saw capacity utilization in second quarter of 2009 rebound to 60%, compared 38% in first quarter 2009. Customers in the communications sector had driven the growth in wafer starts, though all sectors saw growth, according to the company. Overall fab utilization is expected to reach 70% in the third quarter and leading-edge capacity has become increasingly tight. Read more >>

SEMI announced that Nano Green Technology is the recipient of the 2009 SEMI Best of West award, in recognition of the CCS-1000 Critical Cleaning System. This product, unveiled at SEMICON 2009, combines deionised water and ammonia gas to form "coherent" water, a renewable and environmentally friendly cleaning process solution. Read more >>

The shift to a foundry model goes deeper than a new name and logo, according to AMD spin-off Globalfoundries. With official groundbreaking at Fab2 in NY State expected to take place later this week, the new 300mm manufacturing facility has been redesigned since the announced spin-off to increase its capacity and improve tool layout that is both more cost effective and better suited to foundry operations, according to Thomas Sonderman, VP, Manufacturing Systems and Technology at Globalfoundries. Read more >>