21
January 2002
Umicore
and Silicon Genesis form a partnership to manufacture thick SOI wafers
The Advanced Materials business Group of Umicore, a Belgian based metals and materials supplier and Silicon Genesis Corporations (SiGen) based in Campbell, California, USA, a developer of innovative Silicon-On-Insulator (SOI) wafer technologies are collaborating in the manufacturing of thick SOI wafers.
The SOI wafers offered by Umicore and SiGen consist of a customer specific oxide layer in between a bottom and top silicon wafer and are used for electronic, photonic and micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) applications. The market for thick SOI wafers reached EUR 120 million in 2001 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of around 40 % over the next 4 years.
The partnership will combine the SiGen capabilities for wafer bonding and oxidation with the Umicore expertise in precision grinding and polishing for the production of thick SOI wafers with diameters of 100, 125 and 150 mm.
Although initially the operation will focus on silicon-based SOI wafers with an installed capacity of 50,000 wafers per year, Umicore's extensive experience in germanium and III-V compound semiconductor wafers as well as other advanced materials will provide a base for the development of advanced heterostructure materials.
The thick SOI wafers are being marketed and sold by both partners.
For more information:
n.v.Umicore s.a.:
Press:
Mrs Moniek DELVOU - Tel. +32 2 227 70 63 * +32 475 26 64 95 – moniek.delvou@umicore.com
PROFILE
Umicore is the new name Union Minière adopted on 3 September 2001.
Umicore is an international metals and materials group, which strives to obtain leadership positions in selected markets. Its activities are centred on 3 business groups: Advanced Materials, Copper & Precious Metals and Zinc. To ensure a rapid response to the market, each business group is divided into several business units and business lines.
The Umicore Group has industrial operations on all continents and serves a global customer base through an international sales network with offices in more than 25 countries.
The underlying principles of Umicore's strategy across the various business groups are a commitment to technological innovation, operational excellence, recycling and environmental responsibility.
The Group generated a turnover of EUR 3.8 billion in 2000. Umicore currently employs some 8,000 people.