"Will Become an Unprecedented Company Leading the Three Major Semiconductor Fields"
[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Jin-ho] Samsung Electronics announced on the 24th that it will take a leading role in achieving the goal of becoming a so-called 'semiconductor superpower' through proactive investment, differentiated technology, and the creation of new markets. This is interpreted as a commitment to actively support the semiconductor industry, the core of the 4th Industrial Revolution, so that it can continue to serve as the 'growth engine of the Korean economy.'
On the same day, Samsung Electronics announced a large-scale investment plan, stating, "We will leap forward as an unprecedented company leading all three major semiconductor sectors by expanding the memory super-gap and focusing on nurturing fabless system semiconductors and foundries."
◆ Memory... Securing a 'super-gap' through proactive application of advanced technology = Samsung Electronics plans to continue investing in the memory sector, which it has led for the past 30 years, over the next five years to strengthen its 'super-gap' status. To this end, it will enhance research and development (R&D) on new materials and new structures that can overcome the limits of process miniaturization and proactively apply advanced technologies such as early adoption of EUV technology, which is advantageous for semiconductor miniaturization.
In the memory market, where Samsung Electronics has demonstrated overwhelming competitiveness for over 30 years, challenges from competitors have recently intensified. The common knowledge that 'world's first = Samsung' in the memory industry is showing cracks. Samsung Electronics also noted that the growth of Chinese memory companies, supported by a huge domestic market and national backing, is a threat.
Specifically, the strategy is to expand market share in the memory sector through proactive application of advanced technology.
In October last year, Samsung Electronics announced mass production of 14nm DRAM using extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography. Samsung's 14nm DRAM has a shorter line width than Micron's 10nm-class 4th generation DRAM, confirming 'advanced technology' compared to Micron. Additionally, Samsung expanded the number of layers using EUV equipment in 14nm DRAM production to five layers, making it the first company to use multi-layer EUV processes.
A Samsung Electronics official explained, "Despite fierce pursuit by competitors, we plan to maintain our No. 1 position by increasing DRAM market share based on advanced technology."
◆ Securing competitiveness in fabless system semiconductors and foundries = Samsung Electronics announced that it will also secure competitiveness centered on fabless system semiconductors and sensors essential for realizing the 4th Industrial Revolution, such as high-performance/low-power APs, 5G/6G communication modems, and high-resolution image sensors. To this end, it will support the establishment of a new growth fabless system semiconductor ecosystem in Korea.
Fabless system semiconductors perform roles similar to human eyes, nose, ears, and skin by sensing data and analyzing and processing it like a brain. They consist of approximately 8,000 types of products, with virtually unlimited applications and demand.
Among Samsung Electronics' major fabless system semiconductor businesses, such as mobile SoCs and image sensors, there is a significant market gap compared to leading companies. However, through investment and R&D, Samsung is reducing the 'technology gap' and enhancing growth potential. In the case of image sensors, Samsung's sales share is expected to rank second at 24.9% this year. Additionally, Samsung has expanded its 'No. 1' and 'first' positions in the fabless system semiconductor business by being the first in the industry to develop a 5G modem (communication chip).
Samsung Electronics stated that it expects to lead the co-growth of the 'fabless system semiconductor ecosystem,' including fabless companies, design houses, packaging, and testing, by becoming No. 1 in fabless system semiconductors. It foresees driving the advancement of existing industries such as smart appliances, smart cars, and smart factories, as well as the development of various new industries including artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), automotive electronics, robotics, smart cities, and genomics.
Samsung Electronics plans to develop and apply differentiated next-generation production technologies in its foundry business to achieve early mass production of products below 3 nanometers. By securing next-generation packaging technology, it aims to develop converged solutions combining computing chips and memory, laying the foundation to leap into the industry's leading group.
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