Online information source for semiconductor professionals

Continuing its aggressive technology node migrations, Samsung has gained market share in DRAM in the second quarter, according to iSuppli Corp. Its aggressive ramp using 40nm lithography technology saw bit production increase dramatically enabling its dominant market position to increase to 35.4%, up from 32.6% in the first quarter. Samsung produced 1.2 billion 1Gbit-density-equivalent DRAM units in Q2, up 13% from 1.1 billion in the first. Read more >>

The SIA has said that year-on-year growth for the semiconductor industry would be in line with its mid-year forecast of 28.4%, despite many market research firms expecting 30% and above growth rates in 2010. According to the SIA, global sales of semiconductors in the second quarter of 2010 grew to US$74.8 billion, an increase of 7.1% from the first quarter total of US$69.9 billion. June 2010 sales of US$24.9 billion were 0.5% higher than May when sales were US$24.8 billion. Read more >>

TSMC has accelerated its capacity expansion plan for 2010 as demand continues to be strong on that back of growing revenue in the second quarter and guidance of further revenue increase in the third quarter. TSMC’s current capacity plan calls for an overall increase by 14% to 11,299 200mm equivalent wafers, compared with 11,247 8-inch equivalent wafers planned in the last quarter. TSMC guided that 300mm wafer capacity would increase by 36% in 2010 under the current plan. Capital expenditure will be raised again from US$4.8 billion to US$5.9 billion in 2010. Read more >>

Revenue at the major semiconductor foundries is set to boom for the next four-years as consumer demand for electronics has returned with a vengeance, according to revised forecasting from iSuppli Corp. Revenue is now expected to top U$29.8 billion, up 42.3% from 2009’s US$22.1 billion. iSuppli previously predicted revenue would rise 39.5 percent this year. By 2014, total pure-play foundry revenue will reach U$45.9 billion, managing a CAGR of 9.4% from US$26.8 billion in 2008, iSuppli said. Read more >>

The ‘Bof W’ Award finalists, not as was orginally reported, which is an award system used by market research firm VLSI Research, have been revealed for this years SEMICON West. New products are measured by semiconductor manufacturing experts and industry trade journalist based on their financial impact on the industry, engineering or scientific achievement, and/or societal impact. The Best of West Award winner will be announced during a special ceremony on Wednesday, July 14, 2009 at 1:00pm (TechSITE North, North Hall, Moscone Center). Read more >>

A collaboration has been formed between International SEMATECH Manufacturing Initiative (ISMI) and Edwards Vacuum to develop data-driven solutions in areas such as energy and resource conservation, chemical management, as well as semiconductor industry response to climate change factors. The work is be carried out at ISMI’s ESH Technology Center, which was formed in 2009.
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Struggling to keep pace with pent-up IC demand dynamics has forced Gartner to once again revise upwards its capital spending projections for 2010. With the foundries rapidly ramping 40.45nm production, while both NAND flash and DRAM manufacturers transition to 3x node technologies on the back of strong demand, Gartner expects the wafer fabrication equipment (WFE) segment will increase 113.3% in 2010, followed by 7.2% growth in 2011, as supply/demand dynamics return to more-normal levels. Read more >>

Samsung Austin Semiconductor has announced its plans to further expand the capacity of its 300mm fab in Austin, Texas with a $3.6 billion investment. This cash injection will complete the second phase of the semiconductor manufacturing complex, which stands at around 2.3 million square feet. Phase one began in 2006, while production began in 2007. Read more >>

The final online auction of Qimonda’s back-end test and assembly equipment at its final manufacturing facility in Portugal is set to finish on June 16th, 2010. Qimonda Portugal is using the proceeds of the sale to raise funds for an as yet disclosed new business venture. Qimonda had previously planned a joint venture at the site producing solar PV modules. Read more >>

As the typically weakest quarter proved to be uncharacteristically strong, Gartner has revised upwards its global semiconductor forecast for 2010. Worldwide semiconductor revenue is now forecast to reach US$290 billion in 2010, a 27.1% increase from 2009 revenue of US$228 billion, according to the latest outlook by the market research firm. Previously, Gartner had projected growth of 19.9% for 2010. Read more >>