Justa, Teri and thread,
I thought the following was interesting with regards to DRAM overcapacity. It certainly puts the Korean production slowdowns in perspective...
Steve T
A service of Semiconductor Business News, CMP Media Inc.
Story updated at 7 p.m. EDT/4 p.m. PDT, 6/16/98
There's 15 more DRAM fabs
than needed, says Sematech model
By J. Robert Lineback
SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- The semiconductor industry currently has about 15 more 200-mm DRAM fabs than it needs to adequately serve worldwide memory demand, according to a simulation model disclosed here during the Third Annual 300-mm Symposium.
The glut of DRAM fabs is not only driving down memory prices but it is also playing a key factor in delaying the industry's transition to larger 300-mm wafers, according to Randy Goodall, associated director of productivity and infrastructure in Sematech's International 300-mm Initiative (I300I). To gauge worldwide production capacity, Sematech has created a simulation model that takes into account die shrinks and the industry's accelerated move to new process technologies in 200-mm wafer fabs.
Using the model, the consortium has concluded that 25 to 26 DRAM fabs--processing 200-mm wafers--are now needed to serve worldwide demand, said Goodall, who spoke before the meeting, hosted by the Semiconductor Equipment and Materials International (SEMI) trade group. Austin, Tex.-based Sematech believes eighty 200-mm wafer fabs are in various states of operation worldwide with, about half producing DRAMs, he said
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