South Korea plans US$450 billion semiconductor spend
It is not yet clear how big the subsidy element will be but the funds will comprise a mix of government support packages, tax incentives, and corportate investment pledges.
South Korea, China and the US all see semiconductor as strategic weapons in wealth generation and global security but notably the US government ‘war’ chest is being benchmarked at $50 billion (see Intel, Apple, Google, others form lobby group to gain US federal funds). European politicians also see leading-edge chip manufacturing as strategic but are struggling to re-invigorate leading-edge chip in Europe (see Intel to build two wafer fabs, be foundry for Europe).
Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix Inc. will lead the investment under a national blueprint devised by President Moon Jae-in’s administration. The plan includes another 151 named companies including foundries, fabless chip companies, manufacturing equipment makers and materials suppliers.
Samsung has said it plans to invest 171 trillion won (about US$150 billion) through to 2030 in its foundry and System LSI business, about a 25 percent increase over its previously announced investment plan for the period. This is separate to its investment in memory chips, where it is the market leader.
The investment is set to be geographically focused in the newly-named “K-semiconductor belt,” a band across the country south of the capital Seoul. As part of its commitment the South Korea government has pledged to guarantee enough water and power will be available for the next ten years and is offering 1 trillion won (about US$900 million) in long-term loans. Bloomberg said.
Related links and articles:
Samsung raises logic chip investment to $150 billion
Intel, Apple, Google, others form lobby group to gain US federal funds
South Korea has plan to encourage chip firms into logic
Intel to build two wafer fabs, be foundry for Europe
Reports: TSMC planning for six wafer fabs in Arizona
Samsung petitions, Austin, Texas, for more subsidies
If you enjoyed this article, you will like the following ones: don't miss them by subscribing to :
