Unveiling Our Vision for the Cutting-Edge Semiconductor Industry: On the Scene at “Samsung Foundry Forum 2018 Korea”

Samsung Electronics’ Foundry Division was launched in May in a bid to bolster the global competitiveness of the company’s foundry business. It provides state-of-the-art foundry solutions to fabless customers in Korea and abroad.

“Samsung Foundry Forum 2018 Korea” was hosted at the Seoul Grand Intercontinental Parnas Hotel on July 5th. The event was attended by more than 350 Korean fabless and IT customers and partners, double the number at last year’s “Samsung Foundry Forum Korea 2017”. It was obvious that the establishment of an independent foundry division in Samsung Electronics sparked the interest of domestic customers. Let’s see what the event had to offer!

“To Be the Most Trusted Foundry”

▲Dr. ES Jung, President and Head of Samsung Electronics’ Foundry Business Division

A keynote address on the theme “To Be the Most Trusted Foundry” was delivered by Dr. ES Jung, President and Head of Samsung Electronics’ Foundry Business Division. In his address, Dr. Jung set forth a vision of “becoming a ‘trusted foundry’ among both current and potential customers.” He also stressed the importance of semiconductors in the age of the Quaternary Industrial Revolution: “Semiconductors create anything and everything we humans can imagine.” Expressing excitement at the new ideas the company’s fabless customers would bring, Jung pledged to “realize our customers’ ideas for the next generation of semiconductors.” “The role of semiconductors to grow as AI technology progresses”

▲Kim Taewon, Business Director, Google Korea

The keynote address was followed by a presentation by Google Korea Business Director Kim Taewon on the importance of AI technology in the age of the Quaternary Industrial Revolution. In the increasingly digitized work environments of today, sorting out meaningful information from the flood of data is most important, Kim explained. He forecast that “AI technology will advance in keeping with the changing times, and accordingly, semiconductors will play an increasingly important role in our society.” “Customized, cutting-edge foundry solutions unique to Samsung Electronics” The presentation was followed by the unveiling of Samsung Electronics’ latest foundry solutions. Programs for domestic fabless customers were revealed in the areas of Technology, Operations, and Services.

▲Executive Vice President Kwon Sang Deok of the Samsung Electronics Foundry Business Division

A roadmap of advanced processes to support Samsung Electronics’ support programs was also announced. The impressive roadmap ranged from Samsung Electronics’ current mainstream 14/10nm processes and new 7, 5, and 4nm EUV processes all the way to next-generation 3nm processes.

▲Executive Vice President Lee Sang Bae of the Samsung Electronics Foundry Business Division

Samsung Electronics also announced expansion of its 12-inch (300mm) wafer-based intellectual property (IP) portfolio, and support for MPW programs. These moves are expected to improve customer convenience and product readiness.

※ MPW (Multi Project Wafer): A mode of foundry operation for small quantity batch production, producing multiple semiconductor products on a single wafer

Furthermore, process technologies and design infrastructure optimized for a range of applications were introduced for 8-inch (200mm) wafers as well; Samsung pledged to continue to expand 8-inch wafer production in support of fabless customer growth.

▲Executive Vice President Charlie Bae of the Samsung Electronics Foundry Business Division

The closing address was given by Executive Vice President Charlie Bae of the Strategic Marketing Team at Samsung Electronics’ Foundry Business Division. “All attending today’s event are here for the future of Korean semiconductors,” he commented, adding that “Samsung Electronics hopes to make the annual foundry forum an event that our customers can all benefit from, and pledges wholehearted services in support of growth of our domestic fabless customers.” On the heels of the successful “Samsung Foundry Forum 2018 Korea” event, similar forums will be held for global customers in Tokyo, Japan in September and Munich, Germany in October. Look forward to the role of Samsung Electronics and partners in the future of the semiconductor industry.