Seoul hails Taiwanese chip investment for easing Japan reliance

GlobalWafers opens $450m wafer factory expected to supply Samsung

20191122N GlobalWafers

Japanese suppliers such as Sumco and Shin-Etsu Chemical collectively hold about 60% of the global wafer market. (Photo courtesy of GlobalWafers) 

RINTARO HOSOKAWA, Nikkei staff writer

SEOUL -- Taiwan's GlobalWafers, the world's third-largest maker of silicon wafers for microchips, on Friday began operating a roughly $450 million factory in South Korea that the government in Seoul hailed for reducing the country's reliance on Japanese suppliers.

South Korean President Moon Jae-in was on hand for the opening ceremony at the plant, which is expected to mainly supply top Korean chipmaker Samsung Electronics.

Sponsored Content

About Sponsored ContentThis content was commissioned by Nikkei's Global Business Bureau.