Samsung Foundry đẩy nhanh sản xuất 2nm, đối mặt với những thách thức trong việc triển khai nút nâng cao

Samsung Foundry is accelerating its efforts to establish mass production capabilities for its 2nm process technology, according to industry sources. The company is actively equipping its “S3” foundry line at the Hwaseong plant, aiming for a monthly capacity of 7,000 wafers by Q1 2024. Further expansion is planned with the installation of a 1.4nm line at the Pyeongtaek 2 plant’s “S5” facility (capacity: 2,000-3,000 wafers per month) starting in Q2 2024. The remaining 3nm line at S3 is slated for complete conversion to 2nm by the end of 2024. This aggressive timeline reflects Samsung’s commitment to mass production of 2nm next year and 1.4nm by 2027, in a bid to compete with industry leader TSMC.

However, challenges remain. The planned U.S. foundry facility in Taylor, originally slated for operation by the end of 2024, has reportedly delayed equipment introduction until after 2026. This delay, coupled with reported lower-than-expected yields in its most advanced processes and difficulties securing clients, highlights significant hurdles. The 3nm process, in particular, has yet to reach mass production-ready yields, impacting reliability.

Initial testing of the next-generation Exynos chip (“Tethys”) from Samsung Electronics’ System LSI division is planned, with potential evaluations also extending to chips from Qualcomm, Japan’s Preferred Networks (PFN), and Ambarella. An industry insider emphasized the critical nature of these developments, stating, “With various adverse factors such as the delay of the 3nm Exynos, securing the 2nm process has become a matter of life and death for Samsung Foundry.”

Further complicating matters, Samsung’s management has decided to convert the foundry line at its Pyeongtaek 4 plant to DRAM facilities due to reduced client orders. The Pyeongtaek 3 plant (4nm line) has also seen reduced operating rates due to decreased order volume. The securities industry estimates a multi-hundred billion won deficit for Samsung Foundry in Q3 2023, underscoring the financial pressures the company faces.

Some industry experts suggest that spinning off Samsung Foundry from Samsung Electronics might be necessary to overcome these challenges. Despite these difficulties, an industry insider noted, “Although the foundry division has set a generally conservative equipment investment stance for this year and next, it is expected to continue preparing for future processes.”

Samsung’s aggressive investment in sub-2nm technology is driven by the intense competition in the semiconductor industry, particularly the rivalry with TSMC. The push for smaller transistor sizes (nm scale) is crucial for developing more powerful and energy-efficient chips, and securing key clients like Qualcomm, PFN, and Ambarella is paramount to Samsung Foundry’s success.