EuroFocus

12/01/1999

AMD opens Dresden fab

California-based AMD, a supplier of microprocessors, flash memories, and ICs for communications and networking applications, held dedication ceremonies in October for its state-of-the-art Fab 30 run by AMD Saxony Manufacturing GmbH and located in Dresden, Germany. The fab is being characterized and qualified for volume production of the AMD Athlon processor, which features copper interconnect technology; manufacturing is expected to begin soon. AMD's investment in Fab 30 will total $1.9 billion, which will be, according to industry sources, one of the largest foreign investments in East Germany. First revenue shipments are planned for 2Q00.

Fab 30, the first facility in Europe to employ copper technology in the manufacture of advanced processors, will eventually be capable of producing 5000, 200mm wafers/week. Approximately 950 employees have been hired by AMD Saxony; the number is expected to almost double in the next few years. Seventy-five percent of the current work force was hired locally, and 13% came from the New Federal States.

IMEC ships 0.25µm design kits

Belgian R&D center IMEC has announced the shipment of 0.25µm design kits to more than 500 European industry, research lab, and university customers. The program is the result of a collaborative effort between IMEC, Virtual Silicon Technology, a supplier of embedded semiconductor components, and the semiconductor foundry group of companies, UMC Group. By combining access to Virtual Silicon's 0.25µm library, UMC Group's process technology, and IMEC's design services and support capabilities, the kits provide ASIC, analog, and customer-owned tooling (COT) design methodology.

As part of the cooperative arrangement, IMEC serves as an ASIC vendor, providing backend design support, prototypes, and volume production, with design services that include multiproject wafers (MPW) and low-volume production runs at UMC Group's advanced foundries. IMEC also distributes Virtual Silicon's libraries and EDA models for performing front-end design, and does backend layout of customer netlists using advanced deep submicron CAD tools from Avant!, submitting GDSII data to UMC Group for manufacture. IMEC charges a one-time fee for MPW service and the use of the Virtual Silicon library at UMC Group's foundry. Customers may make direct arrangements with UMC Group for volume production runs, or arrange them through IMEC.

Brooks Automation buys Jenoptik Infab

Massachusetts-based Brooks Automation Inc. has purchased M+W Zander subsidiary Jenoptik Infab GmbH and its foreign subsidiaries. As part of the deal, the vacuum robot manufacturer will acquire Infab's industrial management and assets, its existing order backlog, and its employees at the Jena, Germany, site. In return, the Jenoptik Group, parent company of M+W Zander, will acquire strategic shares in Brooks. According to company sources, the acquisition combines two complementary businesses and allows Brooks to expand its customer base in the European market. The Infab sale became final October 1 and has been approved by the Federal Trade Commission.

ATMI Inc., Danbury, CT, has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Newform N.V. of Hoegaarden, Belgium, for 550,000 shares of ATMI common stock in a pooling-of-interests share exchange transaction. Completion of the deal is subject to regulatory approvals and other closing conditions, and upon completion, expected during 4Q99, Newform's products will join ATMI's specialty materials packaging product lines, which include the SDS Gas Source and NOWPak liquid delivery systems.

UK consortium plans silicon technology course

In a move designed to bolster the UK's standing in the silicon industry, a consortium of ten UK universities is developing a part-time, postgraduate MSc program on advanced silicon processing and manufacturing technologies. Sixteen modules, in which technical content has been developed in conjunction with industrial advisors, will be offered; candidates admitted to the program will be required to complete eight of these successfully during the three-year course. Attendees will only be required to leave their workplaces for a total of nine-to-ten weeks, earning on completion of the program a postgraduate diploma or certificate.

The first module will be presented by the University of Edinburgh early in the new year. Other universities participating in the "University Network for the Silicon Industry" include Surrey (the coordinator), Cardiff, Glasgow, Heriot-Watt, Liverpool, Newcastle, UMIST, Southampton, and Swansea. For further information and enrollment details, contact the IGDS Office, University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey, GU2 5XH; ph 014/838-761-38, fax 014/838-761-39, e-mail [email protected].

International IC manufacturer Philips Semiconductors has ordered a plasma system from TePla AG, a supplier based in Kirchheim, Germany. The system, which can clean up to 50 wafers in one step, will be used to remove photoresist masks, a process repeated numerous times in IC-manufacturing. Philips now uses 12 TePla plasma systems located at its various sites throughout Europe.

Nikon Precision Europe GmbH (NPE), Langen, Germany, a subsidiary of Japan-based microlithography tool supplier Nikon Corp., has opened a new web site that includes information on products, training options, company opportunities, and the company profile. According to Bill Sherlock-Lynn of NPE marketing, "our web site provides the opportunity for customers to learn more about us and our products. As the industry approaches the 150nm era, it is increasingly important that customers select lithography systems on the basis of real productivity." The site can be accessed at www.npeurope.com.

ASM International, The Netherlands, announced that it has placed $20 million, five-year, zero-coupon debentures with a group of US institutional investors. The $20 million debentures are discounted by 6% annual interest, for a net purchase value of $14.9 million. The proceeds of the transaction, arranged by CIBC World Markets Corp., will be used for general corporate purposes, including debt repayments and working capital.

EURO BRIEFS

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International IC manufacturer Philips Semiconductors has ordered a plasma system from TePla AG, a supplier based in Kirchheim, Germany. The system, which can clean up to 50 wafers in one step, will be used to remove photoresist masks, a process repeated numerous times in chip production. Philips now uses a total of 12 TePla plasma systems at its various sites throughout Europe.

Nikon Precision Europe GmbH (NPE), Langen, Germany, a subsidiary of Japan-based microlithography tool supplier Nikon Corp., has opened a new web site that includes information on products, training options, company opportunities, and the company profile. The site can be accessed at www.npeurope.com.

ASM International, The Netherlands, announced that it has placed $20 million, five-year, zero-coupon debentures with a group of US institutional investors. The $20 million debentures are discounted by 6% annual interest, for a net purchase value of $14.9 million. The proceeds of the transaction, arranged by CIBC World Markets Corp., will be used for general corporate purposes, including debt repayments and working capital.