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Samsung Electronics Accelerates Taylor Fab 2 Buildout, Asks Equipment Suppliers to Secure Certifications in Advance Samsung Electronics is accelerating efforts to expand its advanced foundry capacity in the United States. Ahead of the planned groundbreaking for the second Taylor fab at the end of this year, the company has recently begun preemptively pursuing certifications required to introduce equipment from its suppliers. According to industry sources on August 20, Samsung Electronics has asked key suppliers to obtain the certifications necessary to supply equipment for investment in the second Taylor foundry fab. The Taylor facility will be dedicated to mass production using Samsung Electronics’ most advanced foundry technologies. Equipment is currently being moved into and installed at the first fab, which is scheduled to begin operations by the end of this year. Its primary production target is the industry-leading 2-nanometer process, with Tesla, a major U.S. technology company, widely cited as a key customer. Samsung Electronics recently also formalized its plan to begin construction of the second Taylor fab. During its second-quarter earnings conference call on July 30, the company said, “To respond to growing customer demand in a timely manner, we are preparing to begin construction of the second Taylor fab by the end of this year, with mass production targeted for 2030.” Samsung Electronics is believed to be demonstrating a strong commitment to investing in the second Taylor fab. The company has recently asked multiple semiconductor equipment suppliers to obtain “SEMI” certification in advance so their equipment can be installed at the facility. SEMI certification is a standard used to assess the safety of semiconductor equipment and must be secured before the equipment can be shipped overseas. “Although the detailed specifications for the second Taylor fab have not yet been finalized, Samsung Electronics’ Foundry Business has begun responding more quickly than expected,” an official from the semiconductor equipment industry said. “Specific plans are expected to become clearer toward the end of this year, but the early action suggests that Samsung is actively preparing for the investment.” The key issue is whether Samsung can secure major customers for its leading-edge processes. Samsung Electronics previously postponed its investment plans for the first Taylor fab several times due to difficulties securing customers during the initial phase of construction and a deterioration in market conditions. However, construction regained momentum after Tesla signed a KRW 22.76 trillion semiconductor contract-manufacturing agreement with Samsung Foundry in the third quarter of last year. The roadmap for bringing the second Taylor fab into commercial production is likewise expected to depend on whether it is used to expand supply to Tesla or whether Samsung secures additional customers. “I understand that Samsung E&A, Samsung’s engineering and construction affiliate, is also considering dispatching dozens of employees to the site to support construction of the second Taylor facility,” a semiconductor industry official said. “However, for Samsung Electronics to move swiftly from cleanroom construction to the installation of an actual mass-production line, it will first need to secure a major customer.”
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