UMC: Weak economy won't stop 18-inch wafer development

Posted on Monday, December 15 2008 @ 0:20 CET by Thomas De Maesschalck

UMC CEO Shih-Weu Sun announced the weak economy won't have an impact on 18-inch (450mm) wafer development:

United Microelectronics Corporation (UMC) has followed Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) to announce that it is also developing 18-inch wafer production. Company CEO Shih-Wei Sun said that R&D cannot stop just because the economy is weak.

Sematech, the international consortium of semiconductor manufacturers, indicated 18-inch wafer projects are progressing successfully, with process technology reaching the 22nm and 32nm nodes thanks to support from memory makers. Sematech members TSMC, Samsung Electronics and Intel have already declared their support for 18-inch wafer production.

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Thomas De Maesschalck

Thomas has been messing with computer since early childhood and firmly believes the Internet is the best thing since sliced bread. Enjoys playing with new tech, is fascinated by science, and passionate about financial markets. When not behind a computer, he can be found with running shoes on or lifting heavy weights in the weight room.

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