TSMC and UMC will make lots of money on trailing technology ... and in regards to NVLS:
can't go broke making a (hefty) profit on used gear...expect more older 300mm fabs following the path...
Second-hand equipment market to remain hot through 2011, says Novellus exec
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Nancy Cheng, Taipei; Jessie Shen, DIGITIMES [Thursday 9 September 2010]
Used semiconductor equipment has become a hot market, as companies look to expand their capacity at lower costs, or in the shortest time possible in order to meet urgent demand for products, according to Kae Huang, senior manager at Novellus Systems.
Many chipmakers trimmed their production scale, or sold their facilities in return for cash, amid poor market conditions in 2009, Huang indicated. A bunch of used production equipment - mainly from 6- and 8-inch fabs - were released to the second-hand market.
However, demand in the second-hand market unexpectedly started to surge at the beginning of 2010, Huang noted. Huang concluded that 2010 will be a good year for the second-hand equipment market, and demand for used tools is expected to remain brisk through 2011.
Second-hand equipment is now priced at 70-80% of the rate for new products, and the selling prices fluctuate with market conditions, according to Huang.
At the ongoing SEMICON Taiwan 2010 trade show, which is taking place in Taipei from September 8-10, the second hand market is one of the eight themes highlighted along with LED, MEMS and other emerging technologies.
SEMI in July issued its estimate that the semiconductor equipment market will reach US$32.5 billion in 2010, and grow further to US$35.3 billion in 2011. |
