Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the ongoing competition in the semiconductor industry, particularly focusing on the expansion of mature process technologies and memory chip manufacturing in the U.S. and China, highlighting the strategic importance of these developments in the global market [1][3][25]. Group 1: U.S. Investment in Mature Processes - The U.S. semiconductor sector is experiencing a significant expansion in mature process technologies, driven by government subsidies and private investments, especially following the CHIPS and Science Act in 2022 [3][5]. - Texas Instruments (TI) plans to invest over $60 billion in building seven 300mm wafer fabs in Texas and Utah, creating at least 60,000 jobs, marking the largest investment in U.S. semiconductor manufacturing history [4][5]. - GlobalFoundries (GF) announced a $16 billion investment to enhance its semiconductor manufacturing and advanced packaging capabilities in New York and Vermont, aiming to localize critical supply chain components [6]. Group 2: Micron's Memory Expansion - Micron Technology plans to invest approximately $150 billion in memory manufacturing and an additional $50 billion in R&D, creating around 90,000 jobs, to meet anticipated market demand and maintain market share [9][10]. - The company aims to produce 40% of DRAM in the U.S. and is constructing two high-volume wafer fabs in Idaho and up to four in New York [9][10]. Group 3: Competitive Landscape and Capacity - As of the end of 2024, TI's mature process capacity is approximately 212,000 wafers per month, while GF's global wafer capacity reached about 200,000 wafers per month [14][15]. - Chinese foundries, while expanding, still face challenges in meeting domestic demand, with SMIC's monthly capacity reaching 948,000 8-inch equivalent wafers by the end of 2024 [12][15]. - The article emphasizes that the U.S. concerns about China's expansion in mature processes overlook the fact that U.S. companies are also significantly increasing their capacities [15][23]. Group 4: Geopolitical Implications - The semiconductor industry is increasingly influenced by geopolitical factors, with the U.S. holding 57% of global wafer demand but only 10% of domestic wafer manufacturing capacity, indicating a structural imbalance [17]. - China's rise in the wafer foundry market is notable, with projections suggesting it could dominate 30% of global foundry capacity by 2030 [23]. - The article argues that the competition in mature processes is not merely about production but involves strategic considerations related to national security and technological independence [23][25].
美国大举扩充成熟制程