These are the most-read articles during the week of October 30-November 3:
ASML has installed 1,400 DUV & metrology machines in China
ASML's China country manager Shen Bo disclosed the number in an interview with the Chinese media outlet TMTPost at the sideline of the China International Import Expo in early November. "The total number of ASML deep ultraviolet (DUV) lithography and metrology machines installed in China is around 1,400. By the end of 2025, our (global) DUV equipment output is projected to reach 600," said Shen, "Our goal is to install 500-600 units of DUV equipment per year (globally) by late 2025 or early 2026."
Li Keqiang leaves one wondering the 'could-haves' in Chinese semiconductor development
In a turbulent 10-year period that saw the Chinese economy surpassing the US in purchasing power parity and its technology industry rapidly catching up under the benefits of globalization, all the while slowing to single-digit growth and running up against decoupling efforts and a trade war - perhaps, the legacy of a figure once widely expected to further Deng Xiaoping's reform and opening up policy is only endless "could-haves": would the course of China's development turn out any different, especially with its semiconductor industry very much at the heart of geopolitical competition?
TSMC expected to enjoy double-digit sequential increase in 4Q23 revenues
TSMC is expected to achieve an over 10% on-quarter revenue increase in the fourth quarter of 2023, boosted by volume production of the iPhone 15 Pro and the release of new Mac products equipped with processors made at the foundry house's N3E node. TSMC expects that 3nm processes -- used to produce only Apple's chips this year -- will account for about 5% of its overall sales in 2023, or more than NT$100 billion (US$3.08 billion). The contribution from 3nm processes is expected to rise further in 2024, and the 3nm node will become a strong growth driver after its fab assets are fully appreciated, the sources said.
JNTC rides Huawei's Mate 60 success for revenue surge, expanding capacity in Vietnam
In response to the strong sales of Huawei's Mate 60 series smartphones, JNTC, the South Korean supplier of curved mobile cover glass, is gearing up for significant revenue growth in 2023. The company is expanding its manufacturing base in Vietnam to meet the surging demand, which can be attributed to Huawei's flagship Mate 60 Pro.
Chinese foundry gearing up for automotive IC boom
Nexchip Semiconductor, a Chinese mature-node IC foundry, has stepped up its deployment in the automotive IC sector with the opening of a new fab in Hefei specializing in manufacturing car chips, according to industry sources in China. It is currently China's leading contract chipmaker for display driver ICs (DDI), and it has expanded its offering to include automotive DDIs and other devices.
TSMC CoWoS capacity crucial to the AI GPU race between AMD and Nvidia
Powertech Technology, which specializes in packaging, recently indicated that no other company can master advanced packaging technology within a year, apart from TSMC. In other words, the actual demand for AI chips can be estimated based on TSMC's CoWoS production capacity. According to the semiconductor supply chain, TSMC has announced that its CoWoS production capacity will double in 2024, with continued growth in 2025. It is understood that Nvidia has reserved over 40% of the capacity, while AMD is catching up, and the MI300 is expected to be in full production in December 2023, with Microsoft being its largest customer.
Parade positive about 2024 PC market
The state of the PC market in 2024 will be significantly more favorable than in 2023, according to high-speed transmission chip specialist Parade Technologies. Based on consumer sentiment, both the initial surge of replacements following the pandemic and the emerging trend of AI-powered PCs are tangible developments.
