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SEZ Supplies Single-Wafer Tools to Elpida for DRAM Manufacturing Capacity Expansion
Purchase Underscores Memory Market's Escalating Shift from Batch to Single-Wafer Cleaning Processes
VILLACH, Austria, and ZURICH, Switzerland, April 6, 2005?The SEZ Group (SWX: SEZN), the market leader and premier innovator in single-wafer wet-processing technology for the semiconductor industry, today announced that Elpida Memory, Inc. (Tokyo, Japan) has placed orders for multiple SEZ 323 spin processing tools. Currently in the process of expanding its manufacturing capacity for advanced dynamic random-access memory (DRAM) devices, Elpida will tap the SEZ systems for backside and bevel-edge cleaning of 300-mm product wafers.
The SEZ 323 was selected by Elpida for its capacity expansion based on its ability to flexibly accommodate multiple chemicals, together with its proven stability in volume production environments. Through its single-wafer spin-processing technology, SEZ has demonstrated its ability to deliver significant manufacturing advantages over competitive approaches. SEZ is looking forward to continuing this win-win relationship with this valued customer.
"We are very pleased that Elpida has chosen us for this important capacity expansion, underscoring the fact that memory manufacturers are increasingly transitioning from batch processing to our single-wafer technology," said Masaaki Yashiro, chief operating officer of SEZ Japan. "In addition to our high-throughput systems, we are committed to providing Elpida and other customers in this region with stellar service and support, including access to leading-edge cleaning technology via our Yokohama demonstration facility."
The Elpida order is the latest in a succession of SEZ memory-manufacturing customer wins, following multiple tool orders from Europe, America, Korea and Japan. This activity level not only emphasizes SEZ's growing momentum in the memory business, but also the global nature of this shift?using single-wafer technology for back-end-of-line (BEOL) cleaning applications for memory device manufacturing. Front-end-of-line (FEOL) single-wafer cleaning applications are currently under evaluation and are expected to become commercially viable next year.
About SEZ Group
The SEZ Group is the leading provider of single-wafer, wet-clean processing solutions for the global semiconductor industry, with an installed base of over 900 tools. The company maintains operations in Asia-Pacific, Europe, Japan and North America. Since 1996, registered shares of SEZ Holding Ltd. have been traded on the SWX Swiss Exchange under the symbol SEZN. Additional information about the company is available on the Internet at www.sez.com
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