Siltronic and Samsung Start $1 Billion Semiconductor Joint Venture in Singapore
20 June 2008
Siltronic Samsung Wafer Pte Ltd, a joint venture of Samsung Electronics Co Ltd and Siltronic AG, has commissioned a new fab in Singapore for the production of 300mm wafers. The facility officially started operation in an opening ceremony on June 19, 2008 attended by Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. After only 18 months of construction, Samsung Electronics, a leader in advanced semiconductor technology, and Siltronic, a subsidiary of Germany’s chemical group Wacker Chemie AG, said they now own one of the world’s largest and most advanced factories for 300 mm wafers. By 2010, the joint venture should reach a monthly capacity of 300,000 wafers and provide over 800 jobs. The overall investment in this project amounts to $1 billion.
In his speech, Siltronic CEO and Wacker Chemie AG Executive Board member Wilhelm Sittenthaler emphasized the joint venture’s strategic importance: “Today’s commissioning is a key milestone in further expanding our presence on Asia’s growth markets. Siltronic Samsung Wafer’s ability to complete this new plant on schedule and in record time underscores the joint venture’s engineering expertise and the outstanding collaborative strength between Samsung Electronics and Siltronic.”
Oh-Hyun Kwon, President of Samsung Electronics’ Semiconductor Business division, expressed particular appreciation with the punctual start of production in Singapore: “The new 300mm wafer fabrication plant is a result of the strong local support from Singapore’s Economic Development Board and the technology expertise of our partner, Siltronic. Together with Siltronic, Samsung anticipates Siltronic Samsung Wafer to play a significant role as a steady source of quality 300mm wafers at a time of rapid growth in the 300 mm wafer market segment.”
“I congratulate the management and staff of Siltronic and Samsung who have worked together to bring this joint venture about, and to implement this project so expeditiously. This plant is a key addition to our vibrant semiconductor ecosystem", said Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. "It will extend Singapore’s semiconductor value chain, and bring us to the next level of wafering technology. The long-term prospect for the semiconductor industry remains bright and Singapore has positioned itself to take full advantage of this and remain a leading manufacturing location in Asia for electronics and semiconductors.”
