To boost the diversified development of the semiconductor industry in Taiwan, Metal Industries Research & Development Centre (MIRDC) sought to learn from Japan’s minimal Fab technology as a way to overcome the time-consuming scheduling and high engineering costs of the conventional mega fab. As such, MIRDC plans to collaborate with the Minimal Fab Promoting Organization (Japan) for technical exchanges on minimal fab prototyping capabilities and operation model, and for feasibility assessment of setting up a “minimal fab rapid testing field” in Taiwan. Dr. Naoto Kobayashi, Representative Director, represented Minimal Fab Promoting Organization (Japan) for the MOU signing at 2018 SEMICON® TAIWAN held in Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center on September 7, 2018 for lining up collaborative effort of Taiwan and Japan to promote development of the minimal fab industry in Taiwan.
One of the two major events is The Founding of Minimal Fab Industry Association and Technical Exchange Activity. Dr. Shiro Hara, Prime Senior Researcher of National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) was invited from Japan to talk about the minimal fab technology, current development of the minimal fab equipment, and the prospective market demands, providing a guiding reference for the future of semiconductor industry for local manufacturers. In addition, the Yokogawa Solution Service Corporation (Japan) and PHYTEK Corporation (Taiwan) jointly provide technical integration, sales, follow-up maintenance services and delivery of minimal Fab equipment to SEMICON TAIWAN, breaking the conventions previously exhibited only in Japan. Dr. Shiro Hara demonstrated the minimal Fab technology and was engaged in the exchanges with local manufacturers to expand the fields of cooperation and increase business opportunities.
Dr. Chiu-feng Lin, President of MIRDC indicated that the semiconductor industry has accounted for a considerable percentage of the entire manufacturing industries in Taiwan. In view of the emergence of Industry 4.0, the demand for smart manufacturing is gradually increasing. How to respond to the demands for small quantity and large variety production of customized sensors and non-silicon based semiconductors will be the developmental focus of the semiconductor industry in the future. Manufacturers are given a good opportunity to better understand the advantages and concepts of the Japanese minimal Fab technology through this Taiwan-Japan exchange activity. It is expected that local SMEs may make the best of the next leap in the semiconductor industry through the Taiwan-Japan collaboration and enhance their international competitive edges.