Samsung kickstarts chip production with 3nm process technology

Samsung Electronics Co Ltd has reportedly declared that it has begun the mass production of chips using advanced 3-nanometre technology. The company is the first in the entire world to do so and is actively looking for new clients to contest with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC), its competitor in contract chip production.

According to estimates from Samsung, when compared to the traditional 5-nanometre chip, the newly developed first-gen 3-nanometre process can bring down power consumption by nearly 45%, reduce the area by 16%, and improvise the performance by 23%.

The South Korea-based company did not disclose its clients for this recent foundry technology, which  actively supplies made-to-order chips such as high-performance computing chips, and mobile processors. Analysts have also reported that Chinese firms and Samsung are anticipated to be amongst the first customers.

According to sources, TSMC is the most advanced foundry chip manufacturer globally and controls nearly 54% of the international market for contract chip production. These chips are used by companies like Qualcomm and Apple which do not have their personal semiconductor facilities.

It has been claimed that Samsung- a distant second chip making firm accounting for a 16.3 % market share- declared a USD 132 billion (171 trillion won) investment plan last year for overtaking Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. as the global top logic chip manufacturer by 2030.

Siyoung Choi, Foundry Business Head, Samsung, stated that the team will continue the active advancements in competitive technology development.

Kyung Kye-hyun, Co-Chief Executive Officer at Samsung, mentioned that during the initial months of the year, the foundry business was eagerly pitching new clients in China as it anticipates high market growth in the region. It was also quoted that firms from appliance goods producers to automakers are seeking to safeguard capacity to meet the prevalent universal chip shortages.

Meanwhile, as TSMC is aiming for 2-nanometre volume production by 2025, Samsung is all set to be the first entity to commence the 3-nanometre chip production.

Source Credits: - https://www.businessworld.in/article/Samsung-Starts-Chip-Production-Using-3nm-Process-Technology-with-GAA-Architecture/30-06-2022-434708/