Taiwan Semiconductor (TSMC) - größter EMS-Player der Welt (Seite 25)

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TSMC to spin off solar, lighting units

Bloomberg
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC, 台積電) said it will spin off its solar and lighting units and that it may eventually list the businesses to boost competitiveness.

The company has not yet set a time frame for the share sale of the units, Elizabeth Sun (孫又文), a spokeswoman at the Hsinchu-based company, said by telephone yesterday.

TSMC is developing solar products and light-emitting diodes to supplement growth from chips. Global solar capacity demand will climb 23 percent annually to 2015, Rick Tsai (蔡力行), head of the company’s new business, said on Sept. 16.

The chipmaker will set up TSMC Solar Ltd (台積太陽能) with an initial paid-in capital of up to NT$12.5 billion (US$433 million) and TSMC Solid State Lighting Ltd (台積固態照明) at a maximum of NT$2.8 billion, according to a company statement released after a meeting of its board of directors.

TSMC rose 2.8 percent to NT$72.3, the highest in more than two weeks, at the close of trading in Taipei. The company is scheduled to report first-quarter earnings today.

The board also approved the nominations of Gregory Chow (鄒至莊) and Chen Kok-choo (陳國慈) as candidates for independent directors. Chow is an academic at Academia Sinica, while Chen is a former senior vice president and general counsel at TSMC.

The plans need shareholders’ approval at a June 9 meeting.

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TSMC downgrades 2011 chip growth forecast, says paper


Commercial Times; Jessie Shen, DIGITIMES [Thursday 7 April 2011]

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) has lowered its forecast for the growth of the global semiconductor market (excluding memory) to 4% from the 7% previously estimated, the Chinese-language Commercial Times cited TSMC chairman and CEO Morris Chang as reporting on April 7.

The recent earthquake and tsunami in Japan has had no direct impact on TSMC's operations, but has caused supply chain disruptions, Chang was quoted as saying. TSMC's clients were affected by the Japan disasters, Chang reportedly said.

In January TSMC raised the growth forecast to 7% from an original estimate of 5%. The latest forecast of 4% is even lower than the original figure.

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Ad-hoc Mitteilung nach § 15 WpHG

CENTROSOLAR wird exklusiver Modulproduzent für TSMC in Europa: Ausbau der Produktionskapazitäten in Deutschland auf 350
MWp noch in diesem Jahr

* CENTROSOLAR wird für TSMC exklusiver Produzent kristalliner Solarmodule in Europa
* 5-Jahresvertrag über 100 MWp pro Jahr, Lieferstart in Q3 2011
* Weitergehende technische Zusammenarbeit
* Bau eines zweiten Modulproduktionswerks in Wismar
* Ausbau Standort Wismar auf rund 700 Arbeitsplätze

München, den 11. Januar 2011 - CENTROSOLAR wird in Europa exklusiver Hersteller von kristallinen Solarmodulen für TSMC
Limited, Taiwan. TSMC ist die weltweit größte Halbleiter Foundry und dabei führend in Prozesstechnologie und Qualität. Der
Vertrag mit 5 Jahren Laufzeit sieht ein jährliches Volumen von zunächst 100 MWp pro Jahr vor. Darüber hinaus ist eine
weitergehende Zusammenarbeit in den Bereichen Produktentwicklung und Prozesstechnologie geplant. Die für diese
Vereinbarung erforderlichen Kapazitäten schafft CENTROSOLAR in einem neuen Produktionsgebäude auf einem angrenzenden
Grundstück des bestehenden Werks in Wismar, Deutschland.

CENTROSOLAR sieht sich mit dem Abschluss dieser Vereinbarung darin bestätigt, einer der effizientesten und vor allem qualitativ
anspruchsvollsten Hersteller für Solarmodule zu sein. Dies beweist auch, dass Premiummodule am Standort Deutschland
nachhaltig wettbewerbsfähig produziert werden können. Die ersten Lieferungen unter dieser Vereinbarung stehen im dritten
Quartal 2011 an. Die Solarzellen werden hierfür von TSMC selbst zur Verfügung gestellt, CENTROSOLAR ist für die
Transformation der Zellen in 60-zellige Qualitätsmodule verantwortlich.

Neben der Fertigungsvereinbarung, die für die CENTROSOLAR eine zusätzliche Umsatz- und Ertragsquelle darstellt und
Skaleneffekte realisieren lässt, planen CENTROSOLAR und TSMC eine weitergehende technische Zusammenarbeit. Diese soll
insbesondere die Entwicklung verbesserter Moduldesigns und die Implementierung optimierter Produktionsprozesse unter
Beibehaltung der hohen Qualitätsstandards umfassen.

Der zunehmende Kapazitätsbedarf, der sich aus diesem Vertrag sowie dem weiterhin florierenden Kerngeschäft der
CENTROSOLAR ergibt, wird durch den weiteren Ausbau der Produktionsstätte in Wismar, Deutschland, gedeckt. Der Bau einer
neuen Produktions- und Lagerhalle schafft Raum, die vorhandene Kapazität von derzeit 200 MWp auf bis zu 500 MWp pro Jahr
bedarfsgerecht auszuweiten. Dies ermöglicht dem Unternehmen weiteres Wachstum sowohl im Eigengeschäft als auch in der
Auftragsfertigung. In der ersten Ausbaustufe, die bis zum dritten Quartal fertiggestellt werden soll, wird das neue Gebäude mit einer
Produktionskapazität von 150 MWp ausgestattet. Die Anzahl der Arbeitsplätze in Wismar wird dann um etwa 300 auf rund 700
steigen. Das Investitionsvolumen der ersten Ausbaustufe beträgt circa 20 Mio. EUR. Zur Finanzierung stehen neben dem eigenen
Cash flow auch Fördermittel und Bankdarlehen zur Verfügung.

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TSMC bereitet Umstellung auf 18-Zoll-Wafer vor

Der Auftrags-Chiphersteller Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) bereitet sich derzeit auf die Umstellung von Teilen seiner Produktion auf Wafer mit einem Durchmesser von 18 Zoll vor.

Aktuell setzen die meisten Chiphersteller in der High End-Produktion auf 12-Zoll-Technologien. Wie das taiwanische Branchenmagazin 'DigiTimes' berichtet, wird TSMCs neue Produktionsanlage "Fab 16" allerdings auch mit Geräten zur Verarbeitung größerer Wafer ausgestattet.


Auch die Fab 15, die 2012 erst einmal die Produktion mit 12-Zoll-Wafern aufnehmen wird, soll später mit entsprechenden Maschinen bestückt werden. Die Fab 16 wird dann voraussichtlich im Jahr 2014 in Betrieb gehen.

Beim Umstieg auf 18-Zoll-Wafer hinke man aber hinter dem ursprünglichen Zeitplan hinterher, hieß es. Das hat laut TSMC zwei Ursachen: So seien weder die benötigten Produktionsmittel rechtzeitig verfügbar, noch die Branche insgesamt ausreichend auf die Umstellung vorbereitet.

Die Einführung der aktuellen 12-Zoll-Wafer erfolgte im Jahr 1997. Bis dahin wurde mit 8-Zoll-Technologien gearbeitet. Die Nutzung größerer Wafer hilft dabei, die Produktionskosten für Chips zu reduzieren, da mehr Schaltkreise aus einem Wafer geschnitten werden können. Allerdings steigen dabei auch die Komplexität und entsprechend die Anfangsinvestitionen in die Produktionslinien.

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TSMC to build new 12-inch wafer plant in 2015

Dec. 7, 2010 (China Knowledge) - Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co or TSMC, the world's largest contract chip maker by revenue, on Dec. 3 said it intends to build a new 12-inch wafer plant in Taiwan in 2015.

However, no further details were available about the new plant.

The company said it will increase 12-inch chip's annual output capacity by 30% in 2011 compared with that of this year, said Board Chairman Morris Chang without elaborating.

TSMC's another semiconductor plant, which is under construction, is expected to start operation next year.

Sources reported that TSMC recently filed an equipment procurement list worth NT$34.9 billion or US$1.15 billion to the Taiwan Securities Association.

The list represents the firm's 41 equipment purchase deals during the period from Oct. 1 to Dec. 5. The company spent a total of NT$58.05 billion to purchase equipment in the third quarter of this year.

TSMC's capital expenditure budget for 2010 is US$5.9 billion, much higher than the US$2.67 billion recorded in 2009, sources reported.

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TSMC reportedly competes for transfer of CIGS technology from ZSW


Nuying Huang, Taipei; Willie Teng, DIGITIMES [Tuesday 26 October 2010]

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) has been competing to license advanced CIGS technology developed by Germany-based ZSW. The technology has produced a record energy conversion rate of 20.3% in the laboratory but TSMC has failed to secure the technology, as ZSW has licensed the technology to Germany-based Wurth Solar, according to solar industry sources in Taiwan. TSMC did not confirm the reports.

The reports seem to signify that TSMC is not planning to rely solely on Stion for CIGS technology, especially since Stion is rumored to be planning to build its own plant in Taiwan. In June, TSMC and Stion, announced that the two companies have reached a series of agreements covering technology licensing, supply, and joint development. In addition, VentureTech Alliance, a TSMC affiliate, will invest US$50 million to take a 21% stake in Stion.

ZSM's CIGS solar cells recently broke National Renewable Energy Laboratory's 16-year record and proved that CIGS technology is capable of delivering conversion rates above 20%. Its CIGS cell has been approved by Germany's Franhofer ISE.

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A look at TSMC's and Hyundai's moves in CIGS


Nuying Huang, Taipei; Willie Teng, DIGITIMES [Wednesday 13 October 2010]

In recent months, tech heavyweights Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) of Taiwan and South Korea's Hyundai Heavy Industries have gained entry to the copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS) solar segment via cooperation with established solar firms.

With crystalline solar technology maturing, solar players are looking for opportunities in the next-generation of solar technologies, and in thin-film CIGS in particular.

In June, TSMC and Stion, a manufacturer of high-efficiency thin-film photovoltaic (PV) modules, have announced that the two companies have reached a series of agreements covering technology licensing, supply, and joint development. In addition, VentureTech Alliance, a TSMC affiliate, will invest US$50 million to take a 21% stake in Stion.

Under the agreements, Stion licenses and transfers its thin-film CIGSS (copper indium gallium sulphur-selenide) technology to TSMC, while TSMC will provide a certain quantity of solar modules to Stion using the technology.

TSMC recently broke ground for its CIGS module plant in Taichung, Taiwan, and is expected to invest NT$7.92 billion (US$256.83 million) for the initial phase, which is scheduled for completion along with equipment installation in the second quarter of 2011. Capacity will reach 200MWp in 2012 and over 700MWp when phase two of the plant goes online. Stion's own capacity is currently at 5WMp and is reportedly planning to build a new plant in Taiwan, Malaysia or Singapore.

Earlier in October, Hyundai and France-based Saint-Gobain announced that they will form a 50-50 CIGS joint venture named Hyundai Avancis, and establish the largest thin-film solar cell and module plant in South Korea. The companies plans to invest US$196.9 million initially and operation will begin in the second quarter of 2012.

Saint-Gobain subsidiary Avancis currently has 20MWp in own capacity and is constructing a new plant in Germany. The first manufacturing facility for the joint venture will reportedly be designed identically to Avantis' new German plant.

Saint-Gobain's thin-film PV modules are also based on CIGSS technology. The company claims that its efficiency rate is 20% in laboratory and 12% in the field.

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TAIPEI, Oct 8 (Reuters) - Top contract chipmaker TSMC said on Friday its September sales rose 30.8 percent from a year ago but the result was flat from August, showing signs of slower demand for technology products.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co Ltd (TSMC) had unconsolidated sales of T$36.65 billion ($1.2 billion) last month, compared with T$28.02 billion the same month a year earlier and T$36.5 billion in August.

On a consolidated basis, TSMC's sales amounted to T$309.4 billion in January-September, TSMC said, without giving further details.

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Stion may set up CIGS PV panel factory in Taiwan, TSMC to be affected, say Taiwan makers


Nuying Huang, Taipei; Adam Hwang, DIGITIMES [Thursday 7 October 2010]

California-based thin-film PV panel maker Stion, while licensing CIGS technology to Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), may set up a CIGS factory in Taiwan, which is expected to have a negative impact on TSMC, according to PV industry sources in Taiwan.

TSMC and Stion have signed a series of agreements giving TSMC licensed use of Stion-developed CIGS thin-film PV panel technology and to supply a volume of thin-film PV panels to Stion, as well as to acquire a 21% stake in Stion with investment of US$50 million, according to TSMC. In order to develop thin-film PV panels including CIGS, TSMC on September 16 broke ground to construct its Thin-film Solar R&D Center and Fab with total floor space of 110,000 square meters (1.184 million square feet) on a 5.2-hectare site at the Central Taiwan Science Park.

TSMC is only licensed to use, and has not purchased Stion's CIGS technology, which is a reason behind Stion's plans to set up the factory, the sources analyzed. Another reason is that the Taiwan government has offered incentives to attract local and foreign enterprises to invest in non-conventional industries including PV and Stion is interested, the sources pointed out.

In response, TSMC indicated that it does not know details of Stion's investment, adding that while it is a shareholder of Stion, TSMC is not involved in Stion's operational affairs. As CIGS thin-film PV panels account for nearly none of the global PV output, the development potential of CIGS has large room to accommodate many players including TSMC and Stion, TSMC stressed.

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TSMC to adopt solar equipment from Taiwan suppliers


Nancy Cheng, Taipei; Jessie Shen, DIGITIMES [Tuesday 21 September 2010]

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) plans to adopt automation systems from Taiwan-based equipment suppliers for producing CIGS thin-film solar cells, according to Rick Tsai, president of TSMC's new business division. Tsai did not disclose any names.

Industry sources have named Gallant Precision Machining (GPM), Kenmec Mechanical Engineering, Mirle Automation and Usun Technology as likely beneficiaries of TSMC's orders for PV manufacturing equipment in 2011.

Tsai noted TSMC is now working with several Taiwan-based equipment makers, which are capable of developing a broad portfolio of products for making solar cells. To obtain equipment at a lower cost and with faster delivery times allows the company to offer more competitive prices, Tsai added.

TSMC aims to lower costs of CIGS thin-film solar modules to US$0.19/W within the next three years, and drop the level further to US$0.14/W within the next five years, according to Tsai.

TSMC recently unveiled its solar module fab, which is scheduled for equipment move-in in the second quarter of 2011.