On April 1, UMC announced the opening ceremony for its expanded facility in Singapore. The first phase of this new plant is scheduled to commence production in 2026, which is expected to increase the total capacity of UMC's Singapore Fab 12i to over one million 12-inch wafers annually.
Additionally, this new facility will become one of the most advanced semiconductor foundries in Singapore, providing semiconductor chips for communications, IoT, automotive, and AI innovation sectors.
The expansion project located at the Pasir Ris Wafer Park is divided into two phases, with a total investment amount of US$5 billion for the first phase, which plans a monthly production capacity of 30,000 wafers while reserving space for future investments in the second phase.
The new plant will offer 22nm and 28nm process technologies, representing the most advanced wafer foundry processes currently available in Singapore. It will supply high-end mobile display chips, high-performance memory chips for IoT devices, and next-generation communication chips to global clients.
This expansion is projected to create approximately 700 job opportunities locally over the coming years, including positions for process, equipment, and R&D engineers, among other high-tech talents.
UMC's president, S.C. Chien, stated that the opening of the new plant symbolizes a new milestone for UMC. He emphasized that Singapore's unique geographical location would enable the new facility to assist clients in strengthening their supply chain resilience.
Jermaine Loy, Managing Director of the Singapore Economic Development Board, pointed out that UMC's new plant will introduce advanced specialty process technologies and enhance capacity, further solidifying Singapore's position as a critical node in the global semiconductor supply chain. He expressed anticipation for further cooperation between both parties to strengthen Singapore's semiconductor ecosystem.
UMC's Fab 12i has implemented strict sustainability standards and received the GoldPlus certification from Singapore's Building and Construction Authority. It also complies with all design specifications for UMC's new facilities, featuring the installation of 17,949 square meters of solar panels on the roof to help UMC achieve its goal of using 100% renewable energy by 2050.
Article edited by Jack Wu
