Komatsu Electronic Metals to Expand 300mm Silicon Wafer Output

Komatsu Electronic Metals (KEM), Japanese major silicon wafer maker which became to the subsidiary of SUMCO in October 2006, announced on Tuesday the firm would expand domestic output capacity for 300 millimeters diameter silicon wafer to 130,000 wafers per month toward spring 2008 from 85,000 wafers scheduled for the end of 2006. KEM plans to invest 21 billion yen to build additional facilities at Nagasaki plant, the main productive base in Japan, and to increase the output capacity gradually from 2007 by total 45,000 wafers per month. The firm will raise some external funds for the expansion in addition to its own funds.Formosa Komatsu Silicon Corporation (FKS), KEM’s subsidiary in Taiwan, will also start operation of integrated productive lines for 300 mm silicon wafer this autumn at 50,000 wafers of monthly capacity. KEM plans to double the capacity at FKS to 100,000 wafers per month by spring 2008. KEM group will have total 230,000 wafers of monthly output capacity for 300mm silicon wafer in spring 2008.