Taiwan's UMC, Infineon To Build $3.6 Billion Singapore Plant

ByBridgeNews Taiwan's United Microelectronics Corp. (UMC) the world's second-largest computer-chip foundry, and Germany's Infineon Technologies AG, have agreed to jointly set up a US$3.6 billion, 12-in. wafer foundry in Singapore. The plant will be built in two phases, with a total planned capacity of 40,000 wafers a month, the companies said in a joint statement. It will be Singapore's first 12-in. wafer foundry using the most advanced technology, and UMC's second overseas manufacturing base. The Singapore plant will be located in a wafer-fabrication park in the eastern part of the city-state, and will span 17 acres with expansion potential of 12 hectares. The foundry will focus on making advanced technology chips of 0.13 micron and 0.10 micron. Groundbreaking for the plant is scheduled to take place between January and March, with the expansion divided into two modules. UMC will hold a 70% stake in the foundry, with Infineon, which provides integrated circuits, taking up a 30% share.