Online information source for semiconductor professionals

The Semiconductor Equipment Assessment Leveraging Innovation (SEAL) project has had a successful first year of operation, reports Fries Research & Technology (FRT). FRT, along with Siltronic AG and the Fraunhofer-Institut für Integrierte Systeme und Bauelementetechnologie, were praised in a 12-month report carried out by the EU and the review panel.

 

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South Korean conglomerate STX Group and Abu Dhabi state-owned fund Aabar Investments are to put in a joint bid for a 15% stake in Hynix Semiconductor, an anonymous source yesterday told Reuters.

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Global semiconductor sales in June, 2011 were US$24.7 billion, a 1.5% decline from the prior month, according to new figures from the Semiconductor Industry Association. Sales in the second quarter were down 2% compared to the prior quarter, though seasonally typical. However, global semiconductor sales in the first-half of 2011 were 3.7% higher. Read more >>

Spin transfer torque random access memory (STT-RAM) developer, Grandis is being acquired by Samsung Electronics. The Silicon Valley-based firm will be merged into those Samsung's R&D operations that are focused on developing the next-generation of memory products. The acquisition includes the full scope of technology, assets and human resources of Grandis, though further details concerning the transaction were not disclosed.
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Softening demand coupled to the need for an IC inventory correction in the third quarter of 2011, has meant leading foundry, TSMC has tweaked downwards by 5% its capital expenditure plans for the full year.  Instead of spending approximately US$7.8 billion, TSMC now expects to spend in the region of US$7.4 billion. TSMC said in a conference call that its 28nm ramp had experienced delays due to customers deferring migration of chips to the next node due to the global economic conditions, rather than due to any fabrication issues. Read more >>

On cue, IHS iSuppli has gone in the opposite direction to Gartner and raised its forecast for semiconductor sales in 2011. IHS iSuppli expects global semiconductor revenue to reach US$325.9 billion, up from US$304.1 billion in 2010. This equates to growth of 7.2% compared to last year, which is being driven by consumer product purchases such as tablets and smart phones, according to the market research firm. Read more >>

Inventory corrections expected in the third-quarter of the year, due to ‘friction in the supply chain’ as a result of ‘residual effects’ from Japan and its supply constraints have led to Gartner lowering its semiconductor forecast for 2011. Worldwide semiconductor revenue is projected to total US$315 billion in 2011, a 5.1% increase from 2010 revenue of US$299 billion. However, this is down from Gartner's previous projection in the first quarter for a 6.2% growth year. Read more >>

An agreement has been reached between Spansion and Samsung Electronics over a long-running patent dispute. Under the terms of the agreement, Spansion and Samsung have agreed to a seven year cross license of each other's patent portfolios.  As part of the overall agreement, Samsung will pay Spansion US$150 million over five years with an initial payment of US$25 million due in August 2011. Read more >>

Citing the need to continue to meet customer demand for its semiconductor foundry services and plans to invest US$ billion in fab expansions on several continents, Globalfoundries has appointed Ajit Manocha as its new interim Chief Executive Officer, while James Norling will move to become Executive Chairman. Ibrahim Ajami will now serve as Vice Chairman of the board of directors. The current CEO since inception, Doug Grose will become a senior advisor to the foundry and owner, ATIC with a focus on technology leadership. Chia Song Hwee, Chief Operating Officer, will remain with the company in that position until August 2011, when he will return to be part of Singapore’s business future. All appointments were said to be effective immediately. Read more >>

Despite a slight spending decline expected in 2012, a revised capital spending forecast from Gartner highlights an overall increase in spending over the next four years, compared to a previous forecast. Worldwide semiconductor capital equipment spending is expected to reach US$44.8 billion in 2011, a 10.2 percent increase from 2010 spending of US$40.6 billion, according to Gartner. The next cyclical decline, according to Gartner should take place in late 2013, as the impact of memory oversupply takes its toll, once more. Read more >>