[August 7, 2023 – Taipei, Taiwan] Test Research, Inc. (TRI), the leading test and inspection systems provider for the electronics manufacturing industry, will join SEMICON Taiwan held at Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center, Hall 1 – 1F from September 6 - 8, 2023. Visit booth #I2800 to experience the latest in Smart Factory Semiconductor Inspection.

TRI's AI-powered AOI solutions for the Semiconductor and Advanced Packaging Industry can inspect Die and Wire Bonding, wafer surface and bumps, epoxy, and foreign material detection.

For the first time, TRI will be exhibiting the Wafer Inspection Platform, TR7950Q SII, equipped with a state-of-the-art mechanical structure, an optimal 2.5 µm high resolution, with an outstanding 25MP camera. The TR7950Q SII is equipped with an innovative optical module for the inspection of highly reflective surfaces, specialized for Wafer Inspection.

TRI will showcase the latest 3D SPI with a 3.5 µm high-resolution 25MP Camera, TR7007Q SII, and the AI-powered 3D AOI, TR7700Q SII, with the improved 25MP 2.5 µm configuration. The TR7007Q SII and the TR7700Q SII represent TRI's latest inspection innovations for the Advanced Packaging and Semiconductor Industry. The lineup will also include an X-ray Inspection Demo Station and TRI's innovative AI Solutions, which include the AI Station, AI Training Tool, and the AI Verify Host.

Visit TRI's Booth No. I2800 at SEMICON Taiwan 2023 to learn more about TRI's SEMI applications and the latest innovations in Test and Inspection for the Advanced Packaging Industry.

About TRI
Test Research, Inc. (TRI) offers the most robust product portfolio in the industry for Automatic Test and Inspection solutions. TRI provides the most cost-effective solutions to meet a comprehensive range of manufacturing Test and Inspection requirements. Learn more at http://www.tri.com.tw. For sales and service information, please write to us at [email protected] or call +886-2-2832 8918.

• Read more about Advanced Packaging Inspection at SEMICON Taiwan 2023

Sikama International, a trusted provider of state-of-the-art reflow systems is proud to announce their new partnership with CMT, a global leader specializing in back-end semiconductor solutions.

CMT was formed in August 2010 by Mr. CW Kwak, who has over 30 years experience in the semiconductor industry. CMT offers both material and equipment solutions in the back-end semiconductor assembly market.

CMT is a unique global marketing and sales company. CMT focuses on a micro-level marketing working directly with clients and customers through offering specific projects, right beta sites, and global project management. CMT focuses on short-term projects to deliver sales on client’s current products, then offers mid-term projects for next 2-3 years, and long-term programs 5-10 years out to deliver continuous long-term growth and sustainability.

Sikama’s new partnership with CMT will enable both companies to expand their reach to provide customers with an expansive range of solutions on a global platform.

About Sikama
For over 40 years, Sikama International has offered highly reliable equipment and is the trusted option of manufacturers worldwide.

• Read more about Sikama International Strengthens Worldwide Distributor Network by Partnering with CMT Global to Support Korean and International Markets

Sikama’s sintering pre-dry ovens offer conductive heating in a controlled environment with adjustable O2 levels as low as 5ppm in a footprint of less than 1 square meter. With their compact design, highly efficient conductive thermal transfer to high-mass components, and the lowest carbon footprint in the industry, Sikama’s products are the perfect fit for any power electronics production line. Additionally, with only 15 minutes before reaching temperature set points, energy costs and gas requirements are kept to a minimum.

With SMEMA and SECS/GEM capability and customizable profiling, their Ultra Profile and Falcon series ovens seamlessly integrate into the automated production line. Providing accurate and consistent temperatures, controlled cooling rates, and each zone fully adjustable to within 1°C, the guesswork is removed from the pre-drying process. With multidirectional process flow using either sweeper bar or walking beam transport systems and the lowest vibration and power consumption in the industry, Sikama has a configuration for any need.

About Sikama
For over 40 years, Sikama International has offered highly reliable equipment and is the trusted option of manufacturers worldwide.

• Read more about Sikama International Announces Product Support for Copper and Silver Sintering Applications Used in the Power Electronics and EV Markets

Wooptix SL, a company based in Tenerife, Madrid and San Francisco, has announced the signing of a 10-million-dollar Series B financing round. The round includes participation by: Bullnet Capital, CDTI (Centre for the Development of Technology and Innovation), Danobatgroup, European Innovation Council Fund (EIC), Fagor Automation, Intel Capital, Mondragón Promotion and Tel Ventures.

The company is focused on commercializing semiconductor metrology equipment incorporating wavefront phase imaging. “Phemet®, the system developed by Wooptix, measures the silicon wafer warpage, and its accuracy is a “significant advance in the industry,” affirms José Manuel Ramos, Founder and CEO of the company.

Wooptix's patented technology enables blank and patterned wafer-shape measurement in less time and with higher resolution than current systems being used in the industry. "Wooptix's wavefront sensor and its semiconductor applications are generating interest from key players in the semiconductor industry as evidenced by the Series B financing round,” explains Javier Elizalde, Co-founder and COO.

The company has been recognized as well by the EIC Accelerator Program through a 2.5M€ grant in addition to the equity investment. The grant and investment support Wooptix's product introduction and future technological innovation including the manufacture, delivery, and installation of three semiconductor metrology tools in Japan, the USA and the Netherlands this year.

"Keeping in mind that each Phemet® is only a metric ton weight, together with the sensitivity of the instrument components that enable measurements at the nanometer scale, Wooptix demonstrates a world-class engineering and operations capability,” continues Elizalde.

Next steps
Wooptix has a well defined roadmap for each product line to meet the needs of lab and fab customers. In the case of the semiconductor metrology business unit, the next step is to automate Phemet®. Enhanced automation will reduce risk of contamination of wafers under measurement and provide consistent reproducibility to the system. Due to the flexibility of Wooptix’s design, another step is to integrate Phemet® into existing semiconductor equipment platforms from tool vendors.

Phemet® and the Series B financing round demonstrate Wooptix’s growth and maturity as it begins initial tool deliveries to customers. "It is really valuable for us to transition now from an R&D company to become a product and manufacturing company. With this objective in mind, we are building the necessary infrastructure, including procedures and certifications to protocols and management teamwork, to support customers as we enter the market," explains José Manuel Ramos.

Semiconductor Equipment Industry in Numbers
According with SEMI (the global semiconductor industry association) the semiconductor equipment sales forecast for 2023 is $87 billion. "The semiconductor equipment market will see a strong rebound in 2024,” said Ajit Manocha, SEMI President and CEO. "Projections for robust long-term growth driven by high-performance computing and ubiquitous connectivity remain intact.”

As reported by SEMI, the wafer fab equipment segment is projected to account for the bulk of the recovery to $100 billion in 2024, generating $87.8 billion in sales, a 14.8% increase.

About Wooptix
Wooptix is a leader in semiconductor metrology through wavefront phase imaging, a technique derived from adaptive optics research in astronomy. With a multidisciplinary team, Wooptix aims to disrupt the semiconductor metrology industry with the highest lateral resolution and fastest measurement technique for inline fab measurements.

The company has developed Phemet®, a wafer shape lab tool for blank and patterned wafers, ahead of the upcoming fully automated fab tool, expected in 2024. Wooptix has already deployed Phemet® at several customer sites worldwide.

Wooptix is based at Tenerife, Madrid (Spain) and San Francisco (USA).

• Read more about Wooptix closes $11 million Series B financing round

PENANG, MALAYSIA - AUGUST 2023 ViTrox, which aims to be the world’s most trusted technology company, is excited to announce its first-ever participation in ELEXCON Shenzhen 2023, one of the influential trade shows in Southern China, at Hall 9, Booth #9G17 in Shenzhen Convention & Exhibition Center (SZCEC), China from 23rd to 25th August 2023.

ViTrox will be showcasing its latest Back-end Semiconductor Inspection Solutions, which are the Tray-Based Vision Handler – TR3000i and the Post Seal Vision Handler – VR20i G2 during the event.

Introducing the Tray-to-Tape & Reel Vision Inspection Handler –TR3000i, the cutting-edge solution tailored for 5G, IoT, Automotive, and Industry 4.0 industries. Its high-resolution 6-sided vision system ensures comprehensive inspections, supporting sizes from 1.8x1.8mm to 130x130mm without conversion. The TR3000i's robust handling features auto-pitching, tape width conversion, 8 active approaches for Smart Taper Precision, and up to 3x14 pick-and-place nozzles. With additional hardware configurations like the Smart Reel Changer, Auto Nozzle Changer, AUX Tray, and Extended Track, it guarantees high efficiency and high throughput. Fully automated and A.I.-powered, it optimises production yield, setting new standards for efficiency, connectivity, and precision in emerging industries.

ViTrox’s Post Seal Vision Handler – VR20i G2 is a game-changer in reel-to-reel inspection. Designed for tape widths from 8mm to 32mm, it features advanced visual inspection capabilities and automated mechanisms for track and dummy reel width adjustment, ensuring precise component handling. The system supports various package types with multiple vision inspections, enabling comprehensive and high-quality results. With dual-track to improve productivity, it enhances throughput by processing over 130K UPH for a 2mm pocket pitch and 80K UPH for a 4mm pocket pitch, while fast changeovers for different carrier tapes minimise downtime. The VR20i G2 guarantees maximum efficiency, reduces human error, and greatly reduces the return on investment (ROI) period, making it the ideal solution to automate your final gate inspection.

Start your productivity-boosting journey with ViTrox's advanced solutions! Secure an appointment to meet our technical experts and experience live product demonstrations by clicking the registration link. If you want to know more about our solutions, feel free to reach out to us at [email protected]. Get ready to take your productivity to the next level!

Registration Link: https://wj.qq.com/s2/12764140/8c87/

About ViTrox Technologies
ViTrox is committed to being the World’s Most Trusted Technology Company and the leading solutions provider through the most innovative, advanced, and cost-effective machine vision solution of excellent quality to its customers by integrating ViTrox’s technologies, people, and strategic alliances.

ViTrox offers a full spectrum of solutions, ranging from Middle & Back-end Semiconductor Inspection Solutions, SMT PCB Assembly Vision Inspection Solutions, Electronics Communication Systems, and Industry 4.0 Manufacturing Intelligence Solutions. ViTrox is headquartered in Penang, Malaysia, with offices in Asia, Germany, and the United States and sales and support sites worldwide.

For more information about ViTrox’s products and services, please visit www.vitrox.com.

• Read more about ViTrox to Demonstrate Next-Generation Vision Inspection Systems at ELEXCON Shenzhen 2023!

RoodMicrotec N.V. publishes the Interim Report for 2023

• Total income grew by 18.5% to EUR 8.7 million (HY1 2022: EUR 7.3 million)
• EBITDA increased to EUR 1.8 million (HY1 2022: EUR 1.4 million)
• Net profit rose to EUR 0.9 million (HY1 2022: EUR 0.6 million)

Deventer, July 20, 2023 – RoodMicrotec N.V., a leading independent company for semiconductor supply and quality services, today publishes the Interim Report for the six-month period ended June 30, 2023.
RoodMicrotec reports a total income of EUR 8.7 million for the first half-year of 2023, which is 18.5% higher than the total income reported for the first half-year of 2022 and 6% lower than for the second half-year of 2022. The increase in total income is driven by a continued strong delivery level, especially by the Test Operations unit. The slight reduction between the second half-year of 2022 and the first half-year of 2023 is predominantly due to the normal cyclical business in the semiconductor industry, where the second half of the year typically can be characterized by stronger demand.

Operational Unit (x EUR 1,000) HY1 2023 HY1 2022 Change
Test Operations 5,845 4,496 30.0%
Supply Chain Management 1,466 1,398 4.9%
Qualification & Failure Analysis 1,356 1,423 -4.7%
Total 8,667 7,317 18.5%

Total operating expenses for the first half-year of 2023 amounted to EUR 6.8 million against EUR 5.9 million for the first half-year of 2022, while cost for raw materials and consumables remained stable at EUR 1.1 million. Personnel expenses increased to EUR 4.0 million (HY1 2022: EUR 3.6 million) due to bonus expenses and an increase in the number of employees. Other operating expenses increased to EUR 1.7 million (HY1 2022: EUR 1.2 million), predominantly due to the costs incurred for financial and legal advice and support in relation to the Public Offering process in the amount of EUR 0.5 million for the first half-year of 2023.

EBITDA increased from EUR 1.4 million for the first half-year of 2022 to EUR 1.8 million for the first half-year of 2023. Through excellent cost control we have succeeded in further reducing the overall costs as a percentage of total income by 1.4% in the first half-year of 2023. The cost of raw materials stayed at EUR 1.1 million in the first half-year of 2023, but as percentage of total income came down by 2%-points to 13% compared to first half-year of 2022.

Depreciation charges of EUR 0.8 million were higher in the first half-year of 2023 (HY1 2022: EUR 0.7 million) due to capital expenditure during the second half-year of 2022 and the first half-year of 2023. Total financial expenses maintained at the same level of EUR 0.1 million for the first half-year of 2023 and 2022.

Net profit for the first half-year of 2023 increased by 35% to EUR 0.9 million compared to the first half-year of 2022.

Adjusting for non-recurring costs incurred for financial and legal advice and support in relation to the Public Offering process in the amount of EUR 0.5 million in the first half-year of 2023, the adjusted EBITDA would have been EUR 2.3 million (HY1 2022: EUR 1.4 million) and the adjusted net profit would have been EUR 1.4 million (HY1 2022: EUR 0.6 million).

Financial data (x EUR 1,000) Note HY1 2023 HY1 2022
Total Income 8,667 7,317
EBITDA 1,825 1,440
Adjusted EBITDA 1 2,286 1,440
Net profit 869 644
Adjusted net profit 1 1,330 644

Note 1: after excluding non-recurring costs incurred for financial and legal advice and support in relation to the Public Offering process in the amount of EUR 0.5 million in the first half-year 2023

Net cash flow from operating activities for the first half-year of 2023 was positive with EUR 1.8 million (HY1 2022: EUR 0.3 million). The increase results from higher net profit and reduced working capital compared to the first half-year of 2022. Cash flow from investing activities was EUR 0.5 million negative (HY1 2022: EUR 0.4 million negative). Cash flow from financing activities for the first half-year of 2023 amounted to EUR 1.2 million negative (HY1 2022: EUR 0.5 million negative), including EUR 1.1 million for redemption of the non-controlling interest (HY1 2022: EUR 0.4 million negative). Total net cash flow for the first half-year of 2023 amounted to EUR 0.1 million positive (HY1 2022: EUR 0.6 million negative). Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the half-year of 2023 amounted to EUR 3.7 million (December 31, 2022: EUR 3.6 million; June 30, 2022: EUR 1.9 million).

“The first six months of 2023 have continued to run at the same level as the second half-year of 2022 which meant a good start for the whole year. We still see some supply challenges in the world, but we have been able to continue our Test Operations at a high utilization level. The load situation at the end of the second quarter, in combination with our current order book level provide a solid base for the second half-year of 2023.”, says Martin Sallenhag, CEO of RoodMicrotec.

Interim Report 2023 (reviewed by KPMG Accountants N.V. due to Public Offering process)
You will find the complete Interim Report 2023, which is available in English only, on our corporate website: www.roodmicrotec.com/en/investor-relations-en/financial-publications.
The Interim Report 2023 has been reviewed by KPMG Accountants N.V. pursuant to the provisions of Appendix B, Paragraph 2 sub 2.4 of the Dutch Decree on Public Takeover Bids (Besluit openbare biedingen Wft). The review opinion issued by KPMG Accountants N.V. is attached to the Interim Report 2023.

Outlook
RoodMicrotec expects the total income for 2023 to be in the range of EUR 17.0 million to EUR 17.5 million, with a profit before tax of 5-10%. The geopolitical situation in the world and the current energy crisis throughout Europe could have an impact on the Company’s business. RoodMicrotec is keeping a close eye on the situation and is doing everything possible to mitigate any potential negative impact.

Financial calendar
July 20, 2023 Conference call for media, analysts and shareholders
October 19, 2023 Trading update for the third quarter of 2023
[Date to be determined] Extraordinary General Meeting of Shareholders (in relation to the Public Offer by Microtest)
Conference call
CEO Martin Sallenhag and CFO Arvid Ladega will present the Interim Report 2023 and hold a Q&A session. You are invited to join RoodMicrotec’s conference call for media, analysts and shareholders (a Microsoft TEAMS event) on
Thursday, July 20, 2023 at 9:30 CEST

Login-information:
Join with your computer or mobile app Click here to join the meeting
Or call in (audio only)
+49 69 509544247 Germany, Frankfurt am Main
+31 20 399 9804 The Netherlands, Amsterdam
+32 2 895 09 68 Belgium, Bruxelles
+41 43 217 23 02 Switzerland, Zurich
+39 02 3206 8489 Italy, Milano
Find a local number – in case you are in another country
Phone Conference ID: 236 111 572#

Forward-looking statements
This press release contains a number of forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current expectations, estimates and prognoses by the Board of Management as well as on the information currently available to the Company. The statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, which are hard to evaluate, such as the general economic conditions, interest rates, exchange rates and amendments to statutory laws and regulations. The Board of Management of RoodMicrotec cannot guarantee that its expectations will materialize. Furthermore, RoodMicrotec does not accept any obligation to update the statements made in this press release.

About RoodMicrotec
With more than 50 years of experience in the semiconductor and electronics industry, RoodMicrotec is a leading independent company for semiconductor supply and quality services. RoodMicrotec is a highly valued partner for many companies worldwide and offers specifically tailored turnkey solutions for each single customer's requirements. The turnkey services include project management, wafer test, assembly, final test, qualification, failure analysis, and logistics. All services provided by RoodMicrotec meet the high quality standards of the automotive, industrial, healthcare, and high reliability aerospace sectors. RoodMicrotec is headquartered in Deventer, Netherlands, with operational units in Nördlingen and Stuttgart, Germany.
For more information, please visit https://www.roodmicrotec.com

Further information
Martin Sallenhag, CEO or Arvid Ladega, CFO
Phone +31 570 745623, E-mail [email protected]

This press release is published in English only. This communication contains information that qualifies as inside information within the meaning of Article 7(1) of the EU Market Abuse Regulation. The company’s managing director and CEO Martin Sallenhag, is responsible for arranging the release of this document on behalf of RoodMicrotec.

• Read more about RoodMicrotec N.V. publishes the Interim Report for 2023

At the end of 2022, there were 167 semiconductor fabs processing 300mm wafers for the fabrication of ICs, including CMOS image sensors, and non-IC products such as power discretes.

While the semiconductor market downturn persists, 13 new 300mm wafer fabs are still being brought online in 2023. These new fabs are mostly for the production of power transistors, advanced logic, and foundry services.

Based on construction schedules as of late 2022, 15 300mm fabs will be brought online in 2024, 13 of them for production of ICs. A record number of fabs are expected to open in 2025 with 17 scheduled to begin production. With cutbacks in spending during 2023, some fabs previously scheduled to open in 2024 could be delayed to 2025. By 2027, the number of 300mm fabs in operation should exceed 230. These are projections made in Knometa’s Global Wafer Capacity 2023 report.

An increasing number of 300mm fabs are being built to fabricate non-IC devices, and power transistors in particular. The manufacturing cost benefits of processing chips on the large wafers come into play for device types characterized by large die sizes and high volumes. Examples of integrated circuits with these characteristics include DRAMs, flash memory, image sensors, complex logic and microcomponent ICs, PMICs, baseband processors, audio CODECs, and display drivers. While large-size power transistors are still small compared to the die sizes of these ICs, they ship in high volumes and are big enough to keep a 300mm fab loaded at a cost-effective production level.

Of the 13 300mm wafer fabs opening in 2023, five are focused on the production of non-IC products, with three of them located in China and two in Japan.

Two-thirds of the new 300mm fabs opening this year are for foundry services, with four of them wholly dedicated to the service of fabricating semiconductors for other companies on a foundry basis.

ST formed two separate partnerships to add new 300mm fab capacity at existing sites in Crolles, France, and Agrate, Italy. In Crolles, ST is working with GlobalFoundries to add new capacity for advanced logic and foundry services. In Agrate, ST and Tower Semiconductor are adding capacity for mixed-signal, power, RF, and foundry services.

Much of the pain from the current market contraction is being felt in the memory chip arena. Not surprisingly, there are no new 300mm fabs for memory opening in 2023.

About Global Wafer Capacity 2023
Global Wafer Capacity provides a detailed examination of existing fab capacity along with a five-year forecast to 2027. The report has been published on an annual basis since 2007, initially by IC Insights. In December 2021, IC Insights transferred business associated with Global Wafer Capacity to co-founder Trevor Yancey. Mr. Yancey became an independent contractor in 2014 but continued as the principal analyst and project manager for Global Wafer Capacity. Published in January 2023, Global Wafer Capacity 2023 is sold by Mr. Yancey’s company Knometa Research. For more information, visit https://knometa.com/gwc.

About Knometa Research
Knometa Research is a semiconductor technology and market analysis firm led by former IC Insights executive, Trevor Yancey. Mr. Yancey co-founded IC Insights in 1997 with Bill McClean and Brian Matas. In 2014, Mr. Yancey established Knometa Research to serve as an independent contractor for IC Insights and TechSearch International. For more information, visit https://knometa.com.

• Read more about Despite market weakness, new 300mm fabs still opening in 2023, many for power discretes

Brewer Science Presents Printed and Flexible CO2 Sensors at Carbon 2023 Conference

Cost-efficient and robust screen-printed sensors are the future of CO2 sensing

Cancun, Mexico– July 13, 2023 –Brewer Science, Inc., a global leader in developing and manufacturing next-generation materials and processes for the microelectronics and optoelectronics industries, will present Printed and Flexible CO2 Sensors Prepared via Different Carbon Materials: A Comparison Study at Carbon 2023 conference in Cancun, Mexico.

Reliable, inexpensive CO2 sensors are desired by many industries

Gas sensors are crucial components of intelligent detection systems, which have garnered remarkable interest in the past few decades. Carbon dioxide (CO2) sensors are of fundamental importance in a wide variety of applications including clinical analysis, environmental monitoring, agri-food, and chemical fields. Even though the market potential of CO2 sensors is huge, fabricating a reliable and inexpensive sensor is still challenging.

Screen-printed CO2 sensors using carbon materials offer cost-efficient robust solution

“Following up on our previous work, we proposed a comprehensive study comparing the manufacturing process and sensing performance of screen-printed CO2 sensors using different carbon materials.” states Dr. Jiadeng Zhu, Principal Investigator and Team Lead of Sensor Materials at Brewer Science.

Polyethyleneimine (PEI)/functionalized carbon nanotubes (f-CNTs) (PEI/f-CNTs) and PEI/carbon black (PEI/CB) composites were utilized as the sensing agents for screen-printed CO2 sensors. The manufacturing process and sensing performance of the resultant sensors have now been thoroughly explored and compared with a goal of achieving cost-effective and robust sensors.

Dr. Zhu will present the keynote Printed and Flexible CO2 Sensors Prepared via Different Carbon Materials: A Comparison Study at Carbon 2023 conference in Cancun, Mexico on July 17th at 10:30am EST.

If you cannot attend the conference but wish to learn more about Brewer Science’s innovative gas sensor technology or printed electronic capabilities, please submit a request at the bottom of our website.

About Brewer Science
Brewer Science is a global leader in developing and manufacturing next-generation materials and processes that foster the technology needed for tomorrow. Since 1981, we’ve expanded our technology portfolio within advanced lithography, advanced packaging, smart devices, and printed electronics to enable cutting-edge microdevices and unique quality monitoring systems for water and air applications. We are Certified Employee-Owned and a Certified B Corporation™, using our business as a force for good. Our headquarters are in Rolla, Missouri, with customer support throughout the world. Learn more at www.brewerscience.com.

• Read more about Brewer Science Presents Printed and Flexible CO2 Sensors at Carbon 2023 Conference