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 April 2008
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| April 2008
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In This Issue
Technical Papers Needed by April 25—PV, Testing, Packaging, and MEMS/MST |
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 Focus on the Global PV IndustryLast month in China, a number of developments occurred with potentially significant benefits for European PV producers and suppliers. On March 18, SEMI announced a partnership with Shanghai New Energy Industry Association (SNEIA) to cooperate on PV industry development in the region, including co-organization of the largest PV event in China, PV Power Expo 2009. The agreement with SNIEA is further demonstration of our objective to rationalize the global PV trade show calendar, using partnerships and other means to improve existing shows rather than creating new ones. According Ms. Yue Mi, executive vice chair of SNEIA, "With the help of SEMI, we can introduce global standards, advanced technology and management concepts, and market opportunities to China, and at the same time, introduce China companies to the world." SEMI also announced the formation of China PV Advisory Committee, comprised of by emerging leaders in the China market, to better serve our members in China and the world. At the nearly the same time, we completed the second annual PV Fab Managers Forum (see article below) that brought together PV leaders from around the world to discuss critical industry challenges and opportunities. The timing of the events is important as 20 Chinese companies are starting polysilicon manufacturing plants to address the world shortage. The combined capacity of these new factories is estimated at 80,000 to 100,000 tons—more than double the 40,000 tons produced in the entire world today. According to news reports, many of these plants are not implementing sound environment practices. SEMI is committed to helping establish a "green supply chain" for the global PV market and we are taking steps to make this happen on behalf of our members, their customers and, of course, end users and society. The global reach and influence of SEMI is an important benefit of membership and I am pleased with our progress in China (as well as Korea, Taiwan, North America, and Japan). Together, we can better serve our members, grow the industry, and help make it a model of environmental excellence. Heinz Kundert President, SEMI Europe www.semi.org/europe
On March 10, 270 executives and managers of all parts of the photovoltaics food chain gathered in Dresden to discuss and exchange ideas on manufacturing in PV. How can both industries leverage off each other to expand? The EU REACH regulation requires, in part, that companies register the chemical substances they manufacture or import into the EU, including chemicals used in the semiconductor industry. SEMI is working with member companies and partners to support industry-wide compliance understanding and measures. The SEMI Parliament, Government and Industry Executive Summit in Moscow will cover plans to develop the semiconductor industry in Russia, focusing on critical factors for success: global trade, education, and cooperation. SEMI Europe's annual ISS took place in Malta on March 2–4. The attendees heard often opposing perspectives on the strengths and concerns of Europe's semiconductor industry. Alain Dutheil, CEO of STMicroelectronics, delivered the keynote speech.
 Interviewed by Craig Addison, SEMI In this recent interview Gordon Moore provides his perspective on the development of the semiconductor equipment and materials industry—from Shockley Labs through Fairchild to Intel—and reflects on the "law" named after him. The worldwide reclaim wafer market is estimated at $679 million in 2007 and forecasted to reach $859 million in 2010. Growth is driven by 300 mm, which maintains higher average selling prices on a square inch basis. At SEMICON China, industry and government leaders in China affirmed the central role that semiconductor manufacturing will have in future China economic policy. Globalization, supply chain collaboration, manufacturing efficiency, and technology trends were addressed at the China TV Executive Roundtable, held at FPD China 2008 on March 12. A major and unique aspect of High Tech U (HTU) is the ongoing engagement with program alumni. HTU strives to stay in contact for almost five years—beginning with a student’s sophomore year in high school and ending after sophomore year in college. Is the semiconductor industry entering an era of "profitless prosperity"—a time when chip makers can’t generate sufficient return on investment to build the capacity necessary to meet unprecedented customer demand? Stephen Newberry, president and CEO of Lam Research, shares his insights. |
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