Investment & Expansion
to the development of lithography, interconnect, low-k dielectric and other
critical materials needed to produce the newest generations of
microelectronic devices.
Stephen Robinson, president of Shipley Microelectronics, comments: "We
believe that this centre will be a defining element in our long-term
strategy to support customers as they move closer to the era of sub-100nm
device production."
The new 5850m2 building represents the first phase of Shipleys multi-phase
plans for the centre. Initial programmes are focused on the fast-cycle
development of new 193nm photoresists and anti-reflectant coatings.
Additional programmes are expected to focus on the continued development and
integration of low-k dielectrics, copper interconnect and later generation
lithography materials supporting 157nm, extreme ultraviolet (EUV) and e-beam
technologies. The centre also includes an additional 5850m2 of space that
would enable Shipley to double its size in the future.
SANYO Electric is to establish a new 10,000m2 JPY4.5bn factory for the
production of heterojunction with intrinsic thin layer (HIT) photovoltaic
cells and modules. The new factory is to be built in Osaka, Kaizuka City.
Production is to start January 2004.
The new plant will double the companys production capacity over current
levels. SANYO currently produces photovoltaic cells at Sumoto and Shimane,
with a combined annual HIT production output of 30MW. Photovoltaic module
assembly will take place at Tokonabe.
SANYOs annual photovoltaic energy production is expected to reach 60MW in
January 2004 and 120MW in 2005.
HIT photovoltaic cells are built on single crystalline silicon wafers coated
by thin amorphous-silicon layers. The mass production cells have conversion
efficiency rates of 18.5%.
Catalyst Semiconductor has launched its first international product
development centre, creating Catalyst Semiconductor Romania (CSR).
Initially, CSR will focus on design, characterisation and test development
for some of Catalysts memory and mixed-mode products and will soon take on
additional responsibilities such as developing product applications and
providing technical customer support for the European market. CSR has leased
540m2 of space in a new office building in Bucharest where operations are
expected to start this month, as soon as all the required equipment has been
installed.
