Press Releases

SMIC grand opening

22 Nov 2001

 
Shanghai,China  [2001-11-22]

Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation (SMIC) held its grand opening ceremony, celebrating their formal entry into business operations. Guests in attendance, including distinguished visitors from domestic and overseas semiconductor industry, congregated to celebrate the grand opening of SMIC, China's first advanced open-IC foundry.

In the span of 13 months, SMIC completed construction of Fab 1, which will reach full capacity producing 42,500 8-inch wafers monthly by the end of 2003. Construction of back-end Fab 3b, as well as the structure and framework of Fab 2 was also completed.

Entering test production on September 25th, SMIC became China's most advanced open-IC foundry. Currently, SMIC's test production phase has gone smoothly, receiving orders from IDMs and IC design houses in the United States, Japan, and other countries. Mass production will begin early next year.

A recent highlight for SMIC was the successful pilot run and "wafer out" with 0.25-micron and below technology. Achieving this unprecedented feat-equipment move-in to wafer-out all within three months-has clearly provided our customers with even greater confidence in SMIC.

SMIC devices in the initial production phase include SRAM, ASIC RAM, LOGIC, MASK ROM and other kinds of chips with applications in digital TV, VCD/DVD players, mobile phone, smart IC card, and other applications.

Attendees of the grand opening included representatives from the global frontrunners of the semiconductor industry. The Ministry of Information Industry, Shanghai government officials and various government organization leaders were also in attendance.

SMIC is China's first advanced open-IC foundry, producing 8-inch wafers at 0.25-micron (and below) technology. Industry talents from all over the world have been assembled to comprise its technology and development team. Likewise, over 400 talented engineers have come from the United States, Taiwan, Italy, Singapore, Japan, and Korea to join SMIC. They are devoted to developing China's IC industry by introducing the latest technologies, as well as by training the next generation of IC talents for China. Vice President of Technology and Development Dr. Simon Yang has expressed that the goal of the department is to raise the standard of SMIC's technology to within one year of the world's best by 2005.

President and CEO Richard Chang stated, "SMIC's successful productions thus far can be attributed to the support of our investors. As of September 25th, we successfully completed our first round of investments, totaling over $1 billion U.S. dollars. Furthermore, the authorization of our board, and the tremendous support of the Shanghai government, Pudong New Area District government and ZhangJiang development offices have helped us to overcome numerous obstacles and difficulties. In addition, we are tremendously grateful to those involved in the construction of our fabs, together with our equipment vendors, technology partners, Shanghai BaoSteel, Samsung, BOVIS, and other countless international friends. Since our successful September 25th pilot production, customers both domestic and overseas have inquired after our company's IC services. We are proud to be the recipients of such high expectations, and will carefully and whole-heartedly work towards fulfilling each of our promises."

On October 26th, SMIC's Technology Open House attracted over 500 members of the semiconductor industry. During this time, SMIC emphasized that its expertise, professionalism, and first-rate customer service would be the essential elements in winning customers. They also noted that their order list for next year is close to being filled; furthermore, their prices are equal to those of other foundries worldwide, in accordance with their guarantee of providing clients with world-class service, expedient delivery, and first-rate quality.

Many of SMIC's successes thus far in construction and production cannot be attributed to human hands. On a tangible spectrum, however, a number of factors worked towards SMIC's benefit. Favorable tax policies, notably the "Five exempted, five halved" tax policy of the No. 18 document of State Council was of significant help to SMIC. The downturn in the global semiconductor industry, as well, facilitated the acquisition of land, equipment and industry talents. While the worldwide semiconductor industry is recovering gradually, SMIC, as a forerunner, is exploring the potential of China's market and fulfilling the needs of customers worldwide, welcoming the next spring of the semiconductor industry.