Global chipmakers’ investments in Singapore

INTERNATIONAL semiconductor companies have announced substantial investments to expand their operations in Singapore, as part of plans to ramp up production capacity amid the global chip shortage. The Business Times looks at how much they have committed and how many jobs they’re creating, even amid an industry-wide manpower shortage.

GlobalFoundries

A year after announcing a US$4 billion investment to expand its manufacturing capacity, American semiconductor firm GlobalFoundries in June said it has started moving into its new fab and is on track to create 1,000 new jobs, including technicians and engineers. Expected to reach full capacity by early 2024, the facility will raise its Singapore production capacity to 1.5 million 300-millimetre (mm) wafers annually.

Infineon

In late 2020, German microchip maker Infineon announced a S$27 million investment over 3 years to make Singapore its global artificial intelligence (AI) innovation hub by 2023. The funds cover AI-related projects, training and infrastructure. In response to BT queries, an Infineon spokesperson said more than 800 staff have so far completed “basic AI training”, while “a selected group of employees” have gained intermediate knowledge and skills. The company has hired for about 250 new positions in the past year.

Micron

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American memory chipmaker Micron last October said it planned to invest US$150 billion globally over the decade on memory and storage solutions, driven by the growth of 5G technology and AI. The company declined to specify its investment sum in Singapore when contacted by BT, but had earlier mentioned plans to hire 1,500 people in the city state in roles such as product engineering and procurement.

Siltronic

Last October, German chipmaker Siltronic announced a 2 billion euro (then S$3 billion) investment until end-2024 for a new 300 mm wafer manufacturing facility, creating about 600 jobs. The fab, which is under a joint venture with Korean electronics giant Samsung, will also produce crystal ingots as well as polished and epitaxial wafers.

Soitec

French wafer manufacturer Soitec told BT earlier this month that it will invest 400 million euros on an extension to double the size of its Pasir Ris factory, alongside plans to double its headcount to more than 600. This comes just a year after the company announced a 275 million euro upgrade for the same factory. The top-up would allow Soitec to produce 2 million 300mm wafers by 2026, two-thirds of its global capacity.

United Microelectronics Corporation

Taiwanese semiconductor firm United Microelectronics Corp in February said it will invest US$5 billion on a new factory in Singapore to produce 22 and 28 nanometre chips, capitalising on demand for 5G and auto electronics. Sited next to its existing 300mm fab in Pasir Ris, the facility is expected to have a monthly capacity of 30,000 wafers when production begins in late 2024.