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To: Ian@SI who wrote (35794)	7/17/2000 4:15:08 PM
From: Proud_Infidel	Respond to of 70976

Asia taking lead in growth, chip capital spending, says In-Stat Semiconductor Business News (07/17/00, 12:39:39 PM EDT) SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Asian demand for electronics systems and semiconductors to build those products will roar at a compound annual growth rate of 26% for the next four years, according to a new forecast by Cahners In-Stat Group here. In-Stat said China has become the largest electronics-producing country in the Asia Pacific region, which excludes Japan. This year, China will produce $68.5 billion worth of goods and grow at a compound annual rate of 18.3% between now and 2004, said the research firm's report. Taiwan's silicon foundry suppliers will grab up 40% of the ICs produced by 2010, predicted In-Stat. South Korean companies will surge in growth primarily due to higher prices in DRAMs, added the research firm. In-Stat predicts that Asia Pacific will be the highest chip-consuming region over the next five years. It added that the region is already spending more money on wafer fabs and semiconductor equipment than any other market in the world. Those predictions back up a mid-year forecast released last week by the Semiconductor Equipment and Materials International (SEMI) trade group, which predicted that the Asian Pacific region would end up spending $18.8 billion on chip production systems in 2002 compared $12.9 billion in 2000. Those figures top Japan ($7.6 billion in 2002 and $10.6 billion in 2002) and the North American market ($10.1 billion in 2000 and $13.45 billion in 2002). Chip makers in Europe are expected to spend $4.3 billion in 2002 on production systems and $5.5 billion in 2002, according to the new SEMI consensus forecast (see July 11 story). "As the doom and gloom of the financial crisis continues to fade, the Asian semiconductor industry is enjoying a revival of its own," said analyst Grant Johnson of In-Stat's semiconductor service.

To: Ian@SI who wrote (35794)	7/18/2000 8:57:52 AM
From: Proud_Infidel	Respond to of 70976

Intense Competition Expected in Flash Memory IC Market July 18, 2000 (TAIPEI) -- Several local companies, eyeing the rapidly growing flash memory microchip market, are working on investment projects to make the most of new opportunities, chiefly through cooperation agreements or mergers with overseas companies. Microchip analysts predict that production in the global flash memory market will grow this year to around US$6 billion, compared to US$4.5 billion in 1999 and US$2.5 billion in 1998. Some research institutions project that such production may even top US$10 billion . Already, Mosel Vitelic Inc. has merged with two flash memory design companies in the United States. Its wafer foundries, to be built in Canada, will put a high priority on the development of flash memory microchips. Mosel Vitelic also plans to cooperate with Cypress Inc. in developing DRAM production technology, and using SRAM and flash memory as a combining platform. Macronix International Co., Ltd., which has already developed its own flash memory technology, is seeking to collaborate with Mitsubishi Electric Corp. to develop high-density flash memory. Because of its limited capacity, Winbond Electronics Corp.'s flash memory production is confined to its 6-in. wafer foundry and restricted to 1Mb, 2Mb and 4Mb flash memory microchips. To boost its market share and upgrade its production technology, Winbond Electronics is talking to several other companies about possible mergers and technology transfer agreements. Winbond Electronics explained that the technology used in flash storage production is somewhat similar to DRAM production know-how. The company is using its 8-in.-wafer foundries to produce DRAMs, in order to minimize its marginal costs, thereby optimizing the use of these expensive facilities. It will only have enough capacity to make flash memory if it cuts back on its DRAM production. Its DRAM sales are still generating substantial profits, although they may not do so in a few years. (Commercial Times, Taiwan)