On March 28th, Microelectronics reported that the foundation stone laying ceremony for the second phase of Samsung Semiconductor (China) Semiconductor's storage chip was held in Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, China. It is expected that the expansion of the entire plant will be completed by 2019.
Secretary of Shaanxi Provincial Party Committee, Provincial People’s Congress Standing Committee Director Hu Heping, Minister of Ministry of Industry and Information Technology Miao Wei, Governor Liu Guozhong, Provincial Party Standing Committee, Executive Deputy Governor Liang Gui, Provincial Party Standing Committee, Xi’an Party Secretary Wang Yongkang, Provincial Party Standing Committee, Provincial Party Secretary Qian Qian’an, Deputy Governor Lu Zhiyuan, Xi'an Mayor Shangguan Ji Qing, Municipal Party Standing Committee, High-tech District Party Work Committee Secretary, Aerospace Base Party Committee Secretary Li Yi, and South Korean Ambassador to China Lu Yingmin, South Korea’s Consul General in Xi’an Li Kangguo, CEO Kim Jinnam of Samsung Electronics attended the groundbreaking ceremony.
In 2012, Xi'an High-tech Zone successfully introduced the Samsung Electronics Memory Chip Project, which has a total investment of US$10 billion in the first phase of the project. This project became the largest investment project in Samsung's overseas investment history.
It is understood that the first phase of the Samsung Electronics' storage chip project was completed and put into production in May 2014, creating the 'Shaanxi Speed' and 'Xi'an Efficiency'. The project led more than 100 supporting companies to settle in the Xi'an High-tech Zone, making Xi'an more complete. Semiconductor industry chain.
In addition to Samsung (China) Semiconductor Co., Ltd., Samsung Group has also set up six companies in Xi'an High-tech Zone, covering power batteries, semiconductor R&D, finance, trading, and construction.
In order to meet the increasing demand for high-end V-NAND products in the global IT market, on August 30, 2017, Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. signed an investment cooperation agreement with the Shaanxi Provincial Government, and decided to build Samsung (China) Semiconductor Co., Ltd. in the Xi'an High-tech Integrated Free Trade Zone. Company's storage chip second phase project.
President Jin Qinan said in his speech, 'We will produce the most advanced memory chips through the successful operation of the second phase, provide customers with unique solutions, and contribute to the growth of the global IT market.'
In his speech, Liu Guozhong congratulated Samsung (China) Semiconductor Co., Ltd. on the commencement of the second phase of the storage chip project and stated: 'The Shaanxi provincial capital will, as always, support the development of Samsung Electronics and its supporting companies'.
2. Jiang Feng Electronics: aiming 'target core' to create 'Great Power'
China News Service, March 28th Recently, CCTV's large-scale documentary "Great Power" was gathered in the second quarter of the second quarter. Jiangfeng Electronic Technology made brilliant targets in the manufacture of innovative targets, demonstrating Jiangfeng Electronics' extraordinary achievements in independent innovation. With breakthroughs, he continued to write the legend of industrial power.
Ningbo Jiangfeng Electronic Material Co., Ltd. is a high-tech company specializing in R&D, production and sales of high-purity sputtering targets. Currently, only a few companies in the world are capable of producing ultra-high-purity sputtering target materials for semiconductors. Jiangfeng Electronics is one of them. This technology has been monopolized by Japanese and American companies. Until the end of 2005, Jiangfeng Electronics successfully manufactured the first domestically-made target, which changed the pattern of the world's target manufacturing industry. Our country completely relied on the history of imports in the field of high-purity sputtering targets.
Sputtering targets are mainly used in electronics and information industries, such as integrated circuits, information storage, liquid crystal displays, laser memory, electronic control devices, etc. Currently, electronic products such as mobile phones and tablet computers sold on the market will be used by Jiangfeng Electronics. The product. “Sputtering targets for VLSI manufacturing” produced by Jiangfeng Electronics can be used in the manufacture of semiconductor chips. In the production process of chips, different targets interact together and the metal atoms are layered. Sputtered on the chip, and then using special techniques, they are cut into nanometer-scale metal wires. The chip's information transmission depends on these metal wires. Without metal targets, there is no chip. Jiangfeng Electronics' superb sputtering process Technology achieves the perfect combination of 'target' and 'core'.
At present, Jiangfeng Electronics has entered the supply chain of SMIC, TSMC, Gefangfang, BOE and Huaxing Optoelectronics and semiconductor and flat panel manufacturers. The products have already entered the mainstream market in the world and sales of products have been covered, including North America and Europe. , Japan, South Korea, Singapore and other countries and regions customers. There are more than a hundred chip factories in the world are using the target of Jiangfeng Electronics. At present, the company has 207 authorized patents, including 163 invention patents. The product won the national strategic innovation. Products, 'China Semiconductor Innovation Products and Technology Award' and other honors, and as a national major scientific and technological achievements have participated in the national 'Eleventh Five-Year' major scientific and technological achievements exhibition and 'Twelfth Five-Year' major scientific and technological achievements.
In terms of industry policy, the company will continue to benefit from the import substitution trend of China's manufacturing of '2025' planning core material, and its performance is more flexible. The “National Integrated Circuit Industry Development Promotion Outline” proposes that the annual growth rate of China’s semiconductor industry will be no less than 2020. 20%. At the same time, "Made in China 2025" also clearly states that China's chip self-sufficiency rate will reach 40% by 2020 and 50% by 2025. The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology's related implementation plan has set new goals: 10 years We will strive to achieve 70% chip self-protection and partially meet international advanced standards. It can be seen that Jiangfeng Electronics, which is in the chip manufacturing industry chain, will continue to grow and develop in the future under the support of industry policies.
In addition, according to the Pacific-related research report, in recent years, thanks to the definitive trend of semiconductors, flat panel displays and other downstream markets to the mainland, the demand for domestic target markets has increased rapidly, and in 2015, domestic high-purity sputtering targets The market size is approximately RMB 15.35 billion. At the same time, by the end of 2018, the state will terminate the preferential tax-exempt policy for target materials. Target tariffs will be around 5-8%.
Along with the major manufacturers’ requirements for further raw material costs, the completion of fundraising projects, the release of production capacity based on industry dividends, and the targeting of the 'target' market, the future competitive advantage of Jiangfeng Electronics as a maker of 'Great Power' will continue to be highlighted. To achieve the goal of becoming the world's top three target manufacturers.
3. Important position of TSMC Semiconductor industry: Both the United States and China must be convinced
Ian Steff, deputy assistant minister of the US Department of Commerce in charge of manufacturing, met with Taiwan's heavyweight semiconductor industry recently, including Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Chairman Zhang Zhongmou. Semiconductor industry sources stated that TSMC plays an important role in the semiconductor industry chain. It is speculated that the US may want TSMC to slow down the pace of investing in advanced processes in Nanjing, China, or rethink a new 12-foot plant in the United States. TSMC’s market share in the global foundry industry exceeds 56%, and the hegemonic position is consolidated. Heavyweight semiconductor companies including Apple, Qualcomm, and Huida have all invested in TSMC. In addition, China’s IC design industry has risen rapidly in recent years. This year, it will maintain its growth rate of up to 20%, ranking second in the world, and its Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. It is indispensable that it is one of the biggest promoters of nurturing the growth of China's IC design industry. It is understood that companies including Hass, Bitland, Spreadtrum and others have all adopted TSMC's advanced manufacturing processes if there is no TSMC advanced process and excellent design. With service support, China's IC design industry will not develop so quickly. Also, like Taiwan The UMC and the world’s advanced companies all have a very important position. Semiconductor industry professionals believe that whether the US or China needs to rely on Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd. to actively develop artificial intelligence, 5G and other markets, it will be the object of coveting. Through this U.S. talks, Once again, it highlights the importance of the semiconductor industry chain in Taiwan. The source speculated that the U.S. side hopes that TSMC slows down the investment perspective of the Nanjing plant in China, or considers increasing U.S. investment. After all, TSMC's U.S. factory is already old and unable to meet customers' advanced manufacturing processes. Needed. However, all of TSMC’s investment processes have certain blueprint plans and considerations. If the investment in Nanjing Plant is slowed down, in other words, it may make SMIC to rise. In addition, whether the US-China trade war will impact Taiwan Semiconductor Industry, the person thinks that the current customers are waiting and seeing, and the order can't be said to turn around. At this time, those who have a globalized layout are expected to suffer less.
The report quoted industry and conference participants as saying that Shi Yien, who was the first to visit Taiwan as the deputy deputy assistant minister, mentioned that Taiwan’s semiconductor industry has always been highly complementary to the United States and is an important ally of the United States. He hopes that both sides will have more exchanges and cooperation in the future. He is also concerned about the development of American companies including Taiwan Micron Semiconductor and other companies in Taiwan.
Some industry experts pointed out that last year global semiconductor output value was about 500 billion U.S. dollars, and the U.S. was topped by more than 200 billion U.S. dollars. However, many IC design company's wafers are wafered in supply chains such as TSMC, UMC, Riyueguang, and silicon products. Foundry and packaging testing, many of which are for the US defense industry, clearly shows that the United States trusts the Taiwanese supply chain far more than China.
The report pointed out that at the conference, the industry also raised the issue of how to prevent congestion on the mainland. Due to the high level of interaction between Taiwan's semiconductor industry and the other side, the United States attaches great importance to it. The American Institute for Taiwanese Cooperation (AIT) also met with the industry at the same place two months ago. Related issues. Apple Daily
4. Miao Miao, Minister of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology: Smart Manufacturing will further expand its opening to the outside world
As the pillar of the national economy, the pace of transformation and upgrading of the manufacturing industry is continuing to accelerate.
Recently, at the “China Development Top Forum 2018 Annual Meeting” sponsored by the Development Research Center of the State Council, Ministry of Industry and Information Technology Minister Miao Wei stated that we have analyzed a path for the transformation of the manufacturing industry. The ultimate goal is smart manufacturing. Through digitalization, Networkization has finally reached the goal of intelligence. While China's manufacturing industry is accelerating this transformation and upgrading, it is also working more closely with countries along the Belt and Road initiative.
In this regard, Miao Wei stated that with the “Belt and Road Initiative” getting more and more countries along the route to respond, we absolutely do not export backward production capacity to go abroad. This is the bottom line we hold on. Meanwhile, in recent years, our country It is also resolutely pushing for capacity reduction. In terms of eliminating steel production capacity, Miao Wei pointed out that the destruction of these lagging equipment and plants would be the goal of eliminating the steel production capacity task.
The ultimate realization of manufacturing intelligence
For the path of manufacturing upgrades, Miao Wei points out that the first step is to automate. On the basis of automation, digitalization is required, ie, production equipment, and production management is digitized. Then, the equipment and equipment are connected through a network, ie, networked. The last thing to be smart is to add some artificial intelligence.
'The ultimate goal is smart manufacturing. But to be digitized, networking eventually reaches the goal of intelligence.' Miao Wei said.
From the development experience of some domestic and foreign companies taking the forefront of transformation and upgrading, this is indeed an effective way to improve the competitiveness of enterprises. First, automation has been achieved, which can greatly improve the efficiency of manufacturing companies.
Kay Chen, president and chief executive officer of Siemens AG, for example, said that in 1999, there were 500 defectives in the company's 1 million products, and now this figure has dropped below 10. If it is only relying on people, it is impossible to achieve large scale. With the increase in margin, machines and automation are very important tools. At the same time, the output of enterprises has also increased by 11 times. This is also achieved through automation.
'We have already built this kind of factory in Chengdu, as well as in other parts of the world. This is a very important technology.' said Cathy.
Kathy pointed out that the next phase of manufacturing upgrades is from automation to digitalization and intelligence. Digital technologies can bring digital factories to manufacturing companies. They simulate and transform the entire manufacturing process, from the earliest product display to the final. End-consumption. Also, according to different application requirements, it is possible to test and simulate the product accordingly. At the time of sample testing, the product is polished and it can now be used in the production process.
The transformation and upgrading of the automotive industry also reflect the path of this transformation and upgrading idea. Chairman of the board of directors of Daimler AG, the global president of the Mercedes-Benz Group, said that the automotive industry is undergoing tremendous changes. Many tend to develop on automated platforms based on four pillars: Smart Interconnect, Autopilot, Shared Travel, Electric Drive.
Provide foreign investors with more investment opportunities
While accelerating the transformation and upgrading of domestic manufacturing industries, Miao Wei also pointed out that further opening up of the manufacturing industry will provide foreign investors with more and better investment opportunities. Further strengthen the 'Made in China 2025' cooperation with the global manufacturing industry, all support' The China-made 2025' policy measures will continue to apply to all types of enterprises in China. Domestic and foreign-funded enterprises will be treated equally and treated equally.
Miao Wei stated that it will solidly promote the construction of countries along the 'Belt and Road' initiative, and jointly explore cooperation models that meet the national conditions of various countries in the manufacturing field to create a road of innovation and cooperation.
It is worth noting that when it comes to cooperation with countries along the Belt and Road, China will not repeat the extensive pollution and high energy-consuming extensive development methods it once faced.
Miao Wei pointed out that as the "Belt and Road Initiative" has been responded to by more and more countries along the route, we absolutely do not export backward production capacity to foreign countries. This is the bottom line we hold onto.
While sharing our development experience, we must also pay attention to overcoming some of the problems that existed in our past development. Only in this way can we make the development of the economy better for the benefit of all mankind, and not because of the development of new resources. , A lot of pollution, we are very aware of this article, so absolutely do not export the backward production capacity to foreign countries. ' Miao Wei said.
In recent years, China has continued to exert its efforts to reduce production capacity. The government work report stated that this year it will reduce the steel production capacity by about 30 million tons.
Miao Wei stated that if this goal can be achieved by the end of the year, the capacity reduction target for the 13th Five-Year Plan by 2020 may be achieved ahead of schedule this year.
Miao Wei also admitted that although at the national level, it can achieve its goals in advance, but for some key regions, such as Hebei Province, where the task is the most difficult, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology will also work with the local government to complete the planned removal of steel production capacity in the next two years. Japan Economic News
5. The world's advanced and successful trial production of 8-inch GaN wafer foundry to grab the 5G and car market
The 5G high frequency characteristic makes GaN semiconductor process a mainstream technology in the power amplifier (PA) market. At the same time, GaN power components are also being used in a large number of applications in the networking and electric vehicles. After three years of research and development, this year's GaN-on-Si process will enter volume production, becoming the first company in the world to provide 8-inch GaN wafer foundry, Daewoo 5G and automotive market pie. .
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd. (TSMC) and the world's advanced companies have actively invested in GaN process R&D in recent years. This year, it is hopeful that this will result in the rapid growth of the GaN wafer foundry market. TSMC and Deutsche Telekom (Dialog) and other customers have started to provide 6-inch GaN Foundry Services; Kyma, the world's leading manufacturer of plant materials and materials, cooperated with QROMIS to invest in GaN silicon substrate plant, and successfully trialed 8-inch GaN wafers at the end of last year. It will be the first company to provide 8-inch GaN wafers this year. Service provider.
Compared to silicon processes and mature semiconductor technologies such as gallium arsenide (GaAs), GaN is a relatively new process. As 5G technology is about to be fully commercialized, there are huge opportunities for base station upgrades. Due to the higher operating frequency in 5G technologies, the industry There is already a high level of consensus that GaN devices will gradually replace laterally diffused MOS (LDMOS) and become the mainstream technology. In addition, in the PA component of mobile phones, 3G and 4G mainly use GaAs process, and 5G makes GaN because of the high frequency. Process PA components have a great chance to become the new mainstream in the market.
The market regulatory body Takuya pointed out that GaN is not only able to reduce chip area significantly due to its high temperature resistance and its advantages in high-frequency operation, but also can simplify the design of peripheral circuits. At the same time, it has low on-resistance and low switching loss. The characteristics can also significantly reduce the energy conversion loss during the operation of the vehicle, which is quite helpful for the improvement of the endurance of the electric vehicle.
In the RF and PA components, and automotive electronics related chip markets, including IDF plants such as NXP, Infineon Technologies, and Texas Instruments, have dominated, but in GaN technology, IDM plants have instead started through wafer foundries. As a result, the world's advanced and successful rush to enter the 8-inch GaN wafer foundry market, is expected to win more 5G and vehicle power and other related wafer foundry orders.
The world advanced last year consolidated revenue decreased by 3.6% to NT$24.91 billion, and net profit attributable to the parent company after tax of 18.7% for the year reached NT$4,505 million, and net profit per share was NT$2.75, in line with market expectations. Due to 8-inch wafers The foundry production capacity is tight, coupled with the rising price of silicon wafers, the advanced world has negotiated with the customers to slightly increase the first quarter foundry prices. Since the annual production capacity is in short supply, the price should be adjusted quarter by quarter to help the camp. Income and profit performance. Business Times