News-in-brief: August 2022

Technology 

Particle Measuring Systems released its Ultra DI 20 Plus product, which is designed for real-time particle measurement at a sensitivity of 20nm and ultrapure liquid monitoring at a flow rate of 75 ml/min. 

Company news 

Ovivo acquired Wastech Controls & Engineering, a process system integrator offering facility equipment design for chemical handling, water and wastewater treatment across multiple industries including microelectronics manufacturing. Specialized equipment for semiconductor manufacturers includes pH adjustment equipment, pump lift stations and control panels. Wastech’s integration – deal value unknown – is intended to enhance Ovivo’s systems offerings in the US electronics market.  

Gradiant acquired WaterPark, a Taiwanese design and construction firm specializing in water technologies for microelectronics manufacturing. The deal, whose value was undisclosed, will enhance Gradiant’s biological wastewater and ultrapure water treatment in the semiconductor industry. 

Solvay Corporation said it would invest $60 million in Arizona for a new chemical plant that will supply chip manufacturers, particularly with ultra-high-purity hydrogen peroxide for wafer cleaning processes. The timeline for the facility’s construction and completion has not been announced.   

As part of its strategy to strengthen its semiconductor industry offerings in South Korea, EMD Electronics will acquire local company Mercaro’s chemical business of. The deal value and timeline have not been announced. 

  

Market trends 

According to a new SEMI report, global total semiconductor equipment sales are forecast to rise to $118 billion in 2022, representing a 14.7% increase over 2021’s record sales. Wafer fab equipment, including wafer processing, facilities and mask equipment, is projected to increase by 15.4% year-over-year to a record $101 billion in 2022. 

Projects 

STMicroelectronics and GlobalFoundries will build and jointly operate a new 300mm semiconductor wafer fab in Crolles, France for fully depleted silicon-on-insulator technology. The fab is expected to reach full production capacity by 2026. Expected to entail a multi-billion dollar investment, the project will be partially funded by the French government. 

Taiwanese semiconductor manufacturer GlobiTech Semiconductor will invest $5 billion to build a300mm wafer fab in Sherman, Texas. The company expects wafer production to begin as early as 2025.  

A recent application submitted to Texas authorities reveals Samsung is considering spending $200 billion on 11 plants in the cities of Austin and Taylor. According to Samsung’s company statement there are no specific plans to build at this time, and the earliest operation of any of this plants would not be until 2034. Similarly, according to applications for tax breaks filed at Lockhart, Texas, Micron is considering the Austin area for a multi-billion dollar investment, consisting of at least $20 billion through to 2030. 

Policy and regulation 

In August 2022, US President Joe Biden officially signed into law the CHIPS Act, which authorizes $52.7 billion in funding to boost US semiconductor manufacturing.