Page 25 - august_072922.indd
P. 25
TAP TIMES -25- AUGUST 2022
Materials shortage impedes conductor equipment prior to the pandem-
semi equipment leadtime ic was approximately 3 to 6 months. Since
2020, strict pandemic induced border con-
TAIPEI, Taiwan — According to Trend- trols implemented by countries worldwide
Force, semiconductor equipment is have impeded logistics.
once again facing the dilemma of
extended lead times up to 18-30 Leadtimes lengthened
months. However, during the same period, IDMs
and foundries benefited from strong termi-
Before this latest equipment lead time nal demand and actively expanded pro-
delay, the annual growth rate of 12-inch duction. Thus, lead times on semiconduc-
equivalent (including 12-inch and 8-inch) tor equipment were obliged to lengthen to
capacity supplied by global foundries in 12-18 months.
2022 and 2023 was estimated to be 13%
and 10%, respectively. Induced by the Russian-Ukrainian war,
logistics gridlock, and insufficient produc-
Marginal impact on expansion plans tion capacity of semiconductor industrial
Current observations indicate that this control chips, production of semiconductor
delay of semiconductor equipment has a equipment will begin feeling the impact of
relatively marginal impact on expansion raw material and chip shortages by 2022.
plans in 2022 with the bulk of repercus-
sions arriving in 2023, affecting TSMC, Excluding EUV lithography equipment with
UMC, PSMC, Vanguard, SMIC, and Global- a fixed annual output, the lead time of
Foundries, and encompassing mature and remaining machinery will be extended to
advanced processes. 18-30 months, among which the shortage
of DUV lithography equipment is the most
Overall expansion plans will be delayed for serious, followed by CVD/PVD deposition
approximately 2 to 9 months with annual and etching.
capacity growth expected to fall to 8% for
the year. Raw materials
the Russian-Ukrainian war and rising infla-
Logistics impeded tion have affected the acquisition of vari-
TrendForce adds, the lead time of semi- ous raw materials, as well as the continu
ing impact of the pandemic on man-
power, both of which have led to
delays in semi conductor fab con-
struction.
This phenomenon and equipment
delivery delays simultaneously affect
each foundry’s expansion plans in
2023 and beyond.
However, since the beginning of this
year, the boon of the stay-at-home
economy has evaporated and the
next page
