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To: Proud_Infidel who wrote (33487)	12/16/1999 9:59:00 AM
From: Proud_Infidel	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 70976

Samsung starts work on new DRAM fab, plans production in 2000 Semiconductor Business News (12/16/99, 08:55:57 AM EDT) SEOUL--Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. today said it has begun construction of a new 8-inch wafer processing plant, called Line 10, which will start production of DRAMs in the second half of 2000. Located in the city of Hwasung-gun, the new $1.8 billion fab is scheduled to ramp up to 32,000 eight-inch wafer starts per month by early 2001, Samsung said. Initially, Line 10 will be dedicated to production of 128- and 256-megabit DRAMs, including memories with the Rambus Inc. interface. The Korean chip maker plans to equip the 8-inch fab with tools for 0.15-micron process technologies. Samsung said investments in Line 10 will help it maintain its lead in memory production. Earlier this month, company officials disputed some industry estimates that showed rival Hyundai Electronics Industries Co. Ltd. had taken the No. 1 position in DRAM market share (see Dec. 7 story). The first construction phase of Line 10 will be completed by the third quarter next year, when monthly wafer starts will total 16,000, according to Samsung. "Samsung's semiconductor operations will maintain a six-month to one-year lead in the industry for new product development," declared Y.W. Lee, president and CEO of Samsung Semiconductor. "We will complete development of 0.12-micron processing technology within one year and the 0.10-micron design rule by 2001. "The increase in production capacity with the Line 10 investment will strengthen Samsung's market-leading position in DRAMs and SRAMs," Lee said. "We will also emerge as the top company in the flash memory area." In 2000, Samsung Electronics expects to expand its research staff by 400 people, and spend a total of $2.2 billion on new facilities. Next year's R&D budget has been set at $600 million. Samsung said its sales will reach $9.3 billion because of the upsurge in chip and liquid-crystal display (LCD) shipments. Sales of memory chips are expected to total $6 billion this year, according to the company.