GlobalWafers
| Company type | Public |
|---|---|
| TWSE: 6488 | |
| ISIN | US37891E1038 |
| Industry | Electronics |
| Founded | October 18, 2011 |
| Headquarters | Hsinchu Science Park, , |
| Owner | Sino-American Silicon Products (SAS), 51%[1] |
| Website | www |
GlobalWafers Co., Ltd. (Chinese: 環球晶圓股份有限公司; pinyin: Huánqiú Jīngyuán Gǔfèn Yǒuxiàn Gōngsī) is a Taiwanese semiconductor company. As of 2022, they are the world's third largest silicon wafer supplier.[2]
History
GlobalWafers was spun off from Sino-American Silicon Products in 2011.[3]
In December 2016, GlobalWafers completed its acquisition of SunEdison Semiconductor, which was later renamed to MEMC and remains a wholly owned subsidiary.[4]
In 2018, Nikkei Asia reported on extensive talent poaching issues from China being faced by GlobalWafers.[5]
In 2020, GlobalWafers announced their attempted acquisition of German silicon wafer supplier Siltronic.[6] The deal fell apart 2022 when the German government failed to clear the deal by the required deadline.[7] GlobalWafers later announced that they would be putting the more than US$3 billion earmarked for the acquisition towards capacity expansion.[2][8]
On 11 March 2026, Globalwafers warned that prolonged disruptions to regional oil supplies or key materials due to the ongoing Middle East conflict could pose risks to the technology supply chain in the future.[9]
Operations
South Korea
GlobalWafers operates in South Korea under subsidiary MEMC Korea Co. A second fab opened in 2019.[10]
United States
GlobalWafers opened a fab in Sherman, Texas in May 2025, billing it as the "new epicenter of semiconductor manufacturing in North America." It is the first of three planned fabs in Sherman.[11]
In 2021, GlobalWafers also announced fabs to be built in Missouri as part of a partnership with GlobalFoundries.[12]
References
- ^ Wang, Lisa. "Sino-American reports record profits". taipeitimes.com. Taipei Times. Archived from the original on 17 March 2022. Retrieved 17 March 2022.
- ^ a b Peng-min, Tsai; Chien-chung, Chang; Kao, Evelyn (6 February 2022). "GlobalWafers unveils expansion plans after bid for Siltronic fails". focustaiwan.tw. Focus Taiwan. Archived from the original on 6 February 2022. Retrieved 6 February 2022.
- ^ Ai, Chang; Huang, Frances (9 June 2023). "Taiwan's GlobalWafers chair named EY World Entrepreneur of the Year". focustaiwan.tw. Focus Taiwan. Archived from the original on 9 June 2023. Retrieved 9 June 2023.
- ^ "GlobalWafers completes acquisition of SunEdison". Semiconductor Digest. 2016-12-02. Retrieved 2025-05-17.
- ^ Cheng, Ting-Fang (3 July 2018). "GlobalWafers sees talent poaching from China as 'big concern'". Nikkei Asia. Archived from the original on 6 February 2022. Retrieved 6 February 2022.
- ^ "GlobalWafers nearer to Siltronic deal: sources". taipeitimes.com. Taipei Times. 13 January 2022. Archived from the original on 6 February 2022. Retrieved 6 February 2022.
- ^ Shead, Sam (February 2022). "Germany scuttles $5 billion chip deal with Taiwan firm amid tech sovereignty concerns". cnbc.com. CNBC. Archived from the original on 4 February 2022. Retrieved 6 February 2022.
- ^ TING-FANG, CHENG; LI, LAULY. "GlobalWafers plans $3.6bn expansion after Siltronic bid fails". asia.nikkei.com. Nikkei Asia. Archived from the original on 7 February 2022. Retrieved 6 February 2022.
- ^ "Taiwan's Pegatron, GlobalWafers see no immediate risk from Middle East war". CNA. Retrieved 2026-03-12.
- ^ Wang, Lisa (23 November 2019). "GlobalWafers completes new fab in South Korea". taipeitimes.com. Taipei Times. Archived from the original on 6 February 2022. Retrieved 6 February 2022.
- ^ "GlobalWafers America". Global Wafers America. Retrieved 14 May 2025.
- ^ Connatser, Matthew (2024-07-17). "GlobalWafers scores $400M to help build US's first 300mm wafer plants in Texas and Missouri". The Register. Archived from the original on 2025-01-15. Retrieved 2025-05-17.