Samsung Electronics accelerates the advancement of the second phase of the Mattel wafer factory, requiring equipment suppliers to obtain SEMI certification in advance

According to ZDNet Korea, Samsung Electronics is accelerating the expansion of its advanced wafer foundry capacity in the United States. The company plans to start the second phase of construction at the Taylor wafer plant in Texas by the end of this year, aiming for mass production by 2030, and has requested major equipment partners to obtain SEMI certification in advance for subsequent equipment import and export. SEMI certification is a standard for assessing the safety of semiconductor equipment and is usually a necessary procedure before equipment leaves the country.

The Taylor wafer plant is responsible for Samsung's most advanced foundry mass production tasks. The first phase is currently undergoing equipment entry and installation, with a target to start production by the end of this year, focusing on a 2-nanometer mass production process, with Tesla seen as a core customer. Samsung stated in last month's second-quarter earnings call that to respond promptly to the growing customer demand, the second phase of Taylor will commence by the end of this year. Industry insiders say that although the specific specifications for the second phase have not yet been finalized, Samsung's foundry business has already pushed forward relevant preparations in advance.

Previously, Samsung had postponed the investment in the first phase of Taylor multiple times due to insufficient customers and a sluggish market, until Tesla signed a foundry agreement worth approximately 22.76 trillion won in the third quarter of last year, which accelerated construction. The actual pace of mass production in the second phase will still depend on the expansion of supply to Tesla and the progress of new major customers. Additionally, there are reports that Samsung E&A is considering dispatching dozens of construction personnel locally.