Transition to 450mm gaining traction

The situation changed dramatically during the first quarter of 2011 following Intel Corp's and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing's Company's near simultaneous announcements that they intend to roll out 450mm. Samsung has also hinted plans to use 450mm wafers. It now looks like Globalfoundries and IBM are also likely to be interested. In addition, there is an initiative by the European Commission to investigate the benefits of setting up 450mm semiconductor manufacturing in Europe, along with IMEC and ASML’s crucial role in the transition execution (together these firms control many of the 450mm patents) and New York State’s subsidized investment in a 450mm tool prototyping complex in Albany, added a geographic and political dimension. As such, even the most die-hard sceptics from the industry have now come round to accepting that 450mm will actually happen, reports Future Horizons market research firm in its September's issue of Global Semiconductor Monthly Report. The transition will dramatically impact the whole chip industry and will likely affect all the players.