DigiTimes reports Taiwanese foundry UMC has invested around NT$4 billion (US$121.6 million) over the past month to purchase equipment to ramp up 40nm production. The new process is expected to account for only a tiny piece of UMC's revenue this year, the foundry estimates shipments of 40/45nm will account for 1 percent of its wafer revenues in Q3 2009, and about 2 percent in Q4 2009.
UMC issued company filings with the Taiwan Stock Exchange (TSE) announcing seven purchases of machinery equipment between July 13 and August 12. So far in 2009, the IC foundry has spent NT$7.77 billion on equipment.
UMC said at its recent investor conference that its capex for 2009 has been revised upward to US$500 million, in order to meet demand for advanced processes from customers.
