Beijing first 12-inch wafer manufacturing plant received its first set of production equipment recently.

This 12-inch wafer manufacturing plant, which was built by Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation (SMIC), is called SMIC No.4 Plant. It is situated in Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area. It is set to start production in the latter half of 2004 after the production line has been tested and adjusted. By then clients would be able to obtain high-end 12-inch wafer service in China. Mr. Ma Ke, chief operating officer of SMIC said: "SMIC is very glad to have leading international companies such as Infineon and Elpida as partners. It means we can start production in our 12-inch semiconductor manufacturing plant. Backed by the support of these world-class clients SMIC No.4 Plant has demonstrated its ability to provide our clients with the most advanced foundry service in the world and its competitiveness in world semiconductor market. We will continue to build a strong client body and provide diversified production services including advanced logic production". He said: "SMIC will continue to stay prudent in expanding our 12-inch production. Unless demanded by the clients we won't increase our production capacity".

As learned the planned production capacity of SMIC Beijing plant would be 45,000 pieces per month (calculated on the basis of 8-inch equivalent wafer) by the end of 2005. This capacity would make up 5 percent of the global 12-inch production capacity in 2005 predicted by Strategic Marketing Association.

SMIC is one of the leading semiconductor producers in the world. It provides services of manufacturing integrated circuits ranging from 0.35 micron to 0.13 micron. SMIC was registered and founded in April 2000 in Cayman. As for now the company is running three 8-inch wafer manufacturing plants in Shanghai Zhangjiang Hi-tech Park and an 8-inch wafer manufacturing plant in Tianjin. In May 2003 an authoritative magazine in the semiconductor circles Semiconductor International elected two "Top Fabs of the Year" and SMIC is one of them. SMIC not only provides semiconductor manufacturing service but also other all-dimensional services including design service, photomask manufacture and wafer test services etc.

By People's Daily Online