Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Politics : Formerly About Applied Materials -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Proud_Infidel who wrote (36932)	8/22/2000 8:59:05 AM
From: Proud_Infidel	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 70976

Nippon Foundry to Build New Lines for 200mm Wafers August 22, 2000 (TOKYO) -- Nippon Foundry Inc. plans to launch a line for mass-producing 200mm wafers in Tateyama, Chiba, in 2000. It also has decided to make an investment in a new line for mass-producing a 300mm wafer in 2002, and to start up the line in 2003. The company held its meeting to announce its interim closing for the first half of 2000 (January to June 2000), and unveiled the change of its future investment plan for its mass-production lines. Its initial plans called for ramping up the capacity of its existing line for 200mm wafers, and make the investment for volume production of 300mm wafers, in 2001. The plans for the 200mm wafer were to increase monthly production capacity of 23,000 wafers in the third quarter of 2000 to 30,000 wafers by March 2001, and then to 34,000 wafers by June 2001. As a result, its existing plant's capacity will reach the limit, and the investment should be completed. However, users' demand for the wafers recently increased rapidly. According to Yukio Sakamoto, president of Nippon Foundry, a major electric appliances maker has approached it for a contract, asking to "secure 15,000 wafers per month in 2001." Such being the case, it decided to construct a new plant for 200mm wafers. Through the capital subscription, the company is planning to invest 15 billion to 20 billion yen to build a clean room sized about 1,000 to 2,000m2 next to the existing plant. The new line's design rule will be 0.18-micron, and its production capacity will be around 6,000 to 7,000 wafers per month. Construction will start in the fourth quarter of 2000, and operations in the third quarter of 2001. As a result, Nippon Foundry has decided on a year's delay of its investment to launch a new line for 300mm wafers. "Our hands are full with the 200mm wafers for the time being," Sakamoto said. Related story: Nippon Foundry Plans New 300mm Wafer Lines (Nikkei Microdevices)