IMEC looks east for process collaboration

Edited by the Electronicstalk editorial team Apr 24, 2002

IMEC has signed of a letter of intent with Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation to establish a long-term partnership in advanced semiconductor process technologies.

Independent R and D centre IMEC has signed of a letter of intent with Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation (SMIC) to establish a long-term partnership in advanced semiconductor process technologies.

Based on an advanced process technology information exchange between the two parties, SMIC will join most of IMEC's Industrial Affiliation Programmes (IIAPs) for silicon process technologies.

Prof Gilbert Declerck, President and CEO of IMEC, commented, "Further miniaturisation of production processes requires technological breakthroughs that entail enormous investments.

Last year it became clear that, more than ever, global partnerships are needed worldwide to accomplish this.

Knowledge, costs and risk must be shared.

We are willing to establish a long-term partnership with SMIC".

"This agreement" said Simon Yang, R and D VP of SMIC, "is a part of SMIC's initiative to enter the world-class community for research and development to position the company for long-term technology leadership.

The collaboration between SMIC's strong internal development teams and IMEC's leading-edge research capacity is a win-win strategy".