Downturn pushes China foundries toward smaller geometries, more emphasis on service

摘要

Even with China's low costs and vast potential market, it looks like the only way to turn a profit making chips is with newer technologies and more value-added service. So Grace Semiconductor Manufacturing Corp. and Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp. (SMIC) are planning to make 0.18 μm chips, looking toward 0.13 μm, and emphasizing customer service. Grace plans to build only two fabs, but will continually upgrade those to new-generation technology and contract everything else out to other foundries. It aims to differentiate itself by serving as a coordinator of many partners to supply customers with a total solution. More than 90% of Grace's initial production will be exported, though many of the systems that the chips go into may then be re-imported back to China. Customers will likely include overseas electronics systems producers, and assembly and design houses.