Not sure if this OT or not:
nikkeibp.asiabiztech.com.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
NF3 Squeeze Deals Blow to DRAM, System Makers
March 16, 2000 (TAIPEI) -- DRAM makers said they could be forced to cut shipments soon due to an
undersupply of NF3, a key gas used in manufacturing.
That is expected to have a pass-along effect on downstream products such as chipsets and systems.
NF3, or nitrogen trifluoride, is a liquified gas used during manufacturing. Leading DRAM makers'
dumping of 64Mb DRAMs was seen easing due to the NF3 supply tightness, enabling the sinking price
to hold steady at US$4.80 to US$5.00 this week. Industry observers cautioned the squeeze could
undermine production of chipsets and other components, which could in turn cripple the demand for
DRAMs.
Semiconductor operators said the NF3 crunch was now a global problem for the semiconductor industry,
and international players in the United States, Japan and Korea are now closely watching the impact on
their rivals in Taiwan.
DRAM suppliers will feel the shortage start to bite in April, particularly in the 0.18-micron manufacturing
process, which needs a large amount of NF3. Prices will inevitably begin to rise. DRAM suppliers said
once prices in North America rebound this week, rises will soon spill over to the Asian areas.
The NF3 squeeze will not only deal a blow to DRAM makers, but also to the wafer foundry sector. The
production of chipsets, graphic chips as well as other semiconductor products, highly dependent on wafer
foundry capacity, is now in danger of a production cut, putting a damper on computer systems deliveries.
The chain effect of capped system production will then automatically depress the price of DRAMs.
The tightness could force semiconductor operators to give priority to handset-use flash memory with a
higher profit margin, aggravating the DRAM supply to notebooks and desktops, making system suppliers
the largest victims of the domino effect.
(Commercial Times, Taiwan) |
