China’s Foundry Biz Takes Big Leap Forward
30 facilities planned, including 10/7nm processes, but trade war and economic factors could slow progress.
January 28th, 2019 - By: Mark LaPedus
China continues to advance its foundry industry with huge investments in new fabs and technology, despite trade tensions and a slowdown in the IC market.
China has the most fab projects in the world, with 30 new facilities or lines in construction or on the drawing board, according to data from SEMI’s World Fab Forecast Report. Of those, 13 fabs are targeted for the foundry market, according to SEMI. The remaining facilities are geared toward LEDs, memory and other technologies.
As before, China’s foundry industry is split into two categories—multinational and domestic vendors. Until recently, both groups used older technology. But Taiwan-based TSMC recently moved into 16nm finFET production in China, while SMIC this year hopes to become the first domestic foundry vendor to enter the 14nm finFET race. SMIC’s move would put it on par with some of its foreign rivals. In addition, SMIC has obtained $10 billion in funding to develop 10nm and 7nm.
Still, it’s doubtful that China will build all 30 fabs. It’s also unclear whether it can develop 10nm or 7nm. And for the foreseeable future, the majority of China’s foundry production remains at 28nm and above.
continues at semiengineering.com |
