Both UMC and VIS have just announced their respective foundry capacity expansions plans. UMC, with support from some of its major clients, will invest NT$100 billion to expand its 12-inch fab site in southen Taiwan. And VIS will take up an AUO LCD line in Taiwan for NT$905 million and convert it into an 8-inch wafer fab. In the semiconductor backend sector, ASE Technology Holding is raising its capex budget for 2021 to fund capacity expansion.
UMC to expand factory site in southern Taiwan: Pure-play foundry United Microelectronics (UMC) has announced plans to invest a total of NT$100 billion (US$3.58 billion) in the expansion of its 12-inch factory site in southern Taiwan.
VIS to buy AUO fab for NT$905 million: Specialty IC foundry Vanguard International Semiconductor (VIS) has announced plans to take over the L3B plant of LCD panel maker AU Optronics (AUO), and related equipment and facilities, for NT$905 million (US$32.4 million).
ASE raises capex projection for 2021: Taiwan's leading OSAT firm ASE Technology Holding will raise its capex budget by 10-15% to up to US$2 billion for 2021, from the previous estimation of US$1.7 billion, according to Tien Wu, the firm's chief operating officer.