Challenges to the global semiconductor supply chain, including geopolitical tensions, extreme weather, limited access to key materials and unstable demand, have tested the industry’s resilience and capacity for cooperation, Minister of Economic Affairs Kung Ming-hsin (龔明鑫) said yesterday.
To address these challenges, the semiconductor industry should cooperate in three areas: working together as globalization is restructured, co-developing advanced technologies and sharing information through communication platforms, Kung said at a forum in Taipei ahead of the Semicon Taiwan trade show that is scheduled to open today.
The forum featured industry representatives, including SEMI International Board chairman Tien Wu (吳田玉), Merck Group Taiwan managing director John Lee (李俊隆), Applied Materials Inc vice president of engineering Chen Jang-fung (陳正方) and Micron Memory Japan vice president Kota Nosaka.
Photo: Tien Yu-hua, Taipei Times
Amid geopolitical regulatory uncertainty, it is important to consider how multinational corporations can work together to identify the most efficient path forward, Wu said.
Each country and company must be strong, but in a complex environment, simplified solutions are key, Wu said, adding that history shows those who optimize and simplify are more likely to survive.
While Taiwan produces about 90 percent of the world’s artificial intelligence (AI) chips, its share of next-generation silicon photonics remains unclear, but demand for the technology is expected to grow as AI infrastructure expands, Wu said.
The technology requires decade-long planning to realize the industry’s vision, and as the number of transistors per chip continues to grow, power supply and management could emerge as the next bottleneck in developing chip-on-wafer-on-substrate (CoWoS) and 3D integrated circuit packaging, he said.
As the semiconductor industry shifts toward regionalization and localization, it can simplify global operations, strengthen supply chain resilience and reduce international material transport, while also lowering its overall carbon footprint and enhancing customer satisfaction, Lee said.
Meanwhile, Chen said Applied Materials regards Taiwan as having three major advantages: its proximity to customers, strong manufacturing teams and abundant local talent.
Those factors are why that nation should act as a strategic coordinator to balance upstream material supply with downstream testing and packaging, Chen said.
The nation’s semiconductor expertise could also be applied to quantum computing, he said.
Kung said in conclusion that as Taiwan’s industry clusters are highly concentrated, they provide high production efficiency.
The industry should stay rooted in Taiwan while maintaining a global focus, he said, adding that the nation is willing to share its experience with the world.
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