In order to meet demand for semiconductors being built for the Internet of Things (IoT), Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation (SMIC) has officially started construction of what it claims to be the first 12-inch integrated-circuit production line in South China.
One of the largest foundries in mainland China, SMIC is building the production line at its Shenzhen facility in an existing building and will use it to build mainstream mature technology. Early production is expected to begin by the end of 2017, with a capacity of 40,000 12-inch wafers per month with capacity potentially being ramped up based on demand.
The Shenzhen fab, located in Pingshan New District, opened the first eight-inch production line in South China in December of 2014, and currently rolls out 30,000 wafers per month. The new line is not expected to affect this production, SMIC says.
