[invest]SMIC to boost capacity at Chengdu 200mm plant
Posted:2007-4-11|Source:EE Times Asia|No. of Views:
Cai Yan
Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp. (SMIC) disclosed its plans to expand the capacity of a 200mm wafer fab in Chengdu from 20,000 wafers per month to 70,000.
The fab, known as Cension Semiconductor Manufacturing Corp., will start pilot production this month and mass production in June, with expected annual revenue of $129 million, said spokeswoman Dudo Du. SMIC manages Cension for local investors in Chengdu, including government entities.
Cension is investing $270 million in its first phase, and will spend another $413 million on the second phase, which should start construction in September. The new lines will add 50,000 wafers per month capacity. Cension will produce specialty DRAMs, CMOS image sensors, LCD drivers and power ICs.
In February, Elpida Memory Inc. sold some 200mm fab gear to Cension. The Japan DRAM maker said it sold its 200mm wafer processing equipment to devote its resources to 300mm production.
SMIC is also overseeing the build-up of a 300mm wafer plant in Wuhan, Xinxin Semiconductor Manufacturing Corp., which it will manage for the local government.
