風蕭蕭_Frank
以文會友
三星2nm良率最高20%，從德克薩斯州泰勒工廠撤出人員
https://www.trendforce.com/news/2024/09/12/news-samsungs-2nm-yield-rate-at-most-20-withdraws-personnel-from-texas-taylor-plant/
2024-09-12 半導體編輯
雖然據說三星電子將削減高達30%的海外員工，但韓國媒體Business Korea 9月11日的一篇報道補充說，2nm良率的持續問題已導致三星決定從其位於德克薩斯州泰勒的工廠撤出人員，這標誌著其先進晶圓代工業務再次遭遇挫折。
泰勒工廠最初被設想為4nm以下先進工藝的量產中心，其戰略位置靠近主要科技公司，旨在吸引美國客戶。然而，盡管發展迅速，三星仍麵臨2nm良率問題，導致性能和產能不及主要競爭對手台積電。
據悉，三星晶圓代工良率低於50%，尤其是在3nm以下工藝，而台積電先進工藝良率約為60-70%。這一差距擴大了兩家公司的市場份額差距。
據TrendForce報告，台積電第二季度在全球晶圓代工市場的份額為62.3%，而三星的市場份額僅為11.5%。
Business Korea援引業內人士的話說，三星的Gate-All-Around (GAA)良率約為10-20%，不足以處理訂單和量產。這樣的良率迫使三星重新考慮其戰略，並從泰勒工廠撤出人員，隻留下極少量員工。
三星電子已簽署初步協議，將獲得美國芯片法案高達 9 萬億韓元的補貼。但獲得這筆資金的關鍵條件是工廠必須順利運營，而三星目前的困境使這項協議麵臨風險。
據報道，三星董事長李在鎔親自拜訪了 ASML 和蔡司等主要設備供應商，希望在工藝和產量改進方麵取得突破。但目前尚未取得重大成果，人員何時可能被重新分配回泰勒工廠仍不確定。
Samsung's 2nm Yield Rate at Most 20%, Withdraws Personnel from Texas Taylor Plant
While Samsung Electronics is said to be delivering an oversea workforce cut up to 30%, a report from Korean media outlet Business Korea on September 11th has added that persistent issues with its 2nm yield rate have led Samsung to decide to withdraw personnel from its Taylor, Texas plant, signaling another setback for its advanced wafer foundry business.
Originally envisioned as a mass production hub for advanced processes below 4nm, the Taylor facility’s strategic location near major tech companies was intended to attract U.S. clients. However, despite rapid development, Samsung continues to face 2nm yield issues, resulting in performance and production capacity falling short of its main competitor, TSMC.
Reportedly, Samsung’s wafer foundry yield is below 50%, particularly in processes below 3nm, while TSMC’s advanced process yield is around 60-70%. This gap has widened the market share difference between the two companies.
As per a report from TrendForce, TSMC held a 62.3% share of the global wafer foundry market in the second quarter, while Samsung’s market share was only 11.5%.
Industry sources cited by Business Korea further added that Samsung’s Gate-All-Around (GAA) yield is around 10-20%, which is insufficient for handling orders and mass production. Such yields have forced Samsung to reconsider its strategy and withdraw personnel from the Taylor plant, leaving only a minimal number of staff.
Samsung Electronics had signed a preliminary agreement to receive up to KRW 9 trillion in subsidies from the U.S. Chips Act. However, a key condition for receiving the funding is that the plant must operate smoothly, and Samsung’s current difficulties put this agreement at risk.
Reportedly, Samsung Chairman Lee Jae-Yong personally visited major equipment suppliers like ASML and Zeiss, hoping to achieve breakthroughs in process and yield improvements. However, there have been no significant results so far, and it remains uncertain when personnel might be reassigned back to the Taylor plant.
Read more
