The Foundries are aiming at AI chip orders in China with 10/14nm advanced process technologies

[Cage Chao, Taipei; Jessie Shen, DIGITIMES] Semiconductor Manufacturing International (SMIC), and the China-based production subsidiaries of both Globalfoundries and United Microelectronics (UMC) are looking to expand their advanced node offerings for the China market to include 10/14nm as they vie for orders from the local AI chip supply chain, according to industry sources.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company's (TSMC) newly-established Nanjing fab, which has entered directly 16nm FinFET chip production since April 2018, has enjoyed robust orders from China-based AI chip developers eager to accelerate the adoption of advanced process technologies, the sources indicated.

China-based foundries including SMIC, and Globalfoundries' and UMC's production subsidiaries locally have informed their customers they will be capable of providing 10/14nm node manufacturing starting the second half of 2018 or 2019, the sources disclosed.These foundries are looking to catch up with TSMC in China's market for advanced process technologies, the sources said.

Source: Digi Times LINK

ASML wins first order from China

TAIPEI -- Semiconductor Manufacturing International Co., China's top state-backed contract chipmaker, has placed an order for one set of extreme-ultraviolet lithography equipment, the costliest and most advanced chip production tool, to close technology gaps with market leaders and to secure the supply of critical gear amid trade tensions between the U.S. and China, according to people familiar with the matter.

 

 

The company's move to purchase its first EUV lithography equipment from Dutch chip gear builder ASML, worth $120 million, highlights its growing ambition to help boost Chinese homegrown semiconductor manufacturing technology, even though it is still two to three generations behind market leaders. The move also secures the supply of the cutting-edge lithography tool that all top global chip giants, including Intel, Samsung Electronics and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., are buying to ensure the later production of more powerful and advanced chips.

Full story: Nikkei Asian Review LINK
 

Read more at DutchNews.nl: LINK

Chipmachine marker ASML of Veldhoven has won its first-ever order from China, the Financieele Dagblad reported on Wednesday. The paper said Chinese Semiconductor Manufacturing International has ordered a $120m extreme ultraviolet lithography machine from ASML which never identifies its customers. Citing Nikkei Asian Review the FD said this is the latest in a series of orders for the EUV machines from ASML.

SMIC obtains government fund for advanced 14 nm node technology development

DigiTimes reports: China-based pure-play foundry Semiconductor Manufacturing International (SMIC) has obtained financial support from the government to accelerate the development of its 14nm and more advanced process technologies.

SMIC announced recently China's National Semiconductor Industry Investment Fund (known as the Big Fund) and Shanghai Integrated Circuit Investment Fund (SICIF) have made capital investments in subsidiary Semiconductor Manufacturing South China (SMSC), which will become a joint venture between the parties. The stake in SMSC held collectively by SMIC Shanghai and SMIC Holdings has therefore reduced to 50.1% from 100%, SMIC added.

SMSC was founded at the end of 2016 with a capital base of only US$210 million, SMIC disclosed. With the Big Fund and SICIF becoming SMSC's new shareholders, SMSC is able to expand its registered capital to US$3.5 billion, with the Big Fund and SICIF holding 27.04% and 22.86%, respectively, of the JV company.

Full article: LINK

 

This should mean a lot of ALD equipment invest for self aligned multiple pattering (SAMP) and high-k / metal gate stack, which if all goes like elsewhere should be open for a large amount of ASM International single wafer tools. In addition, Applied Materials Olympia may be in for a match in SAMP processing according to my understanding of the FEOL Logic market.  

 

 

Fab startegy from SMIC company presentation (LINK)

 

Established in 2000, Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation ("SMIC") is one of the leading dedicated semiconductor foundries in the world and the largest and most advanced foundry in Mainland China. SMIC has the following wafer fabs (www.smics.com)

 

Shanghai: one 300mm wafer fab; one 200mm wafer fab
Beijing: two 300mm wafer fabs
Tianjin: one 200mm wafer fab
Shenzhen: one 200mm fab
Italy: one 200mm wafer fab

Tower and SMIC take market share from market leader TSMC

EE Times : Tower Semiconductor and SMIC will benefit the most from a 9 percent jump in the size of the pure-play foundry market in 2016, and take market share from market leader TSMC, says IC Insights.

Continue reading: http://www.electronics-eetimes.com/news/tsmc-losing-market-share-foundry-ranking-0