2 days ago
GlobalWafers America signs pact with Apple to supply 300mm silicon wafers
New Delhi:
GlobalWafers America
, the US-based subsidiary of Taiwanese
GlobalWafers
, has partnered with
Apple
to supply
300mm silicon wafers
for the latter's iPhone and iPad devices, in concerted efforts to bolster the domestic
semiconductor supply chain
. These wafers are a crucial component in producing chips, including leading-edge, mature-node, and memory semiconductors.
These silicon wafers will be made at and supplied from GlobalWafers' facility in Sherman, Texas, according to a media statement on Friday.
GlobalWafers America is currently the only global producer of advanced 300mm wafers participating in the
CHIPS for America Program
under the
Donald Trump
administration, as per the statement.
News agency Reuters, meanwhile, reported Saturday that GlobalWafers America received just over $200 million from the US CHIPS Act in June, about half of a grant the major silicon wafer supplier secured last year.
GlobalWafers President Mark England said, 'Over the past 30 years, advanced silicon wafer production all but left America for lower-cost manufacturing hubs. Our new partnership with Apple, America's most important end-user of silicon, is a powerful market signal that the entire semiconductor supply chain is now back in the U.S. in full force.'
GlobalWafers Chairwoman Doris Hsu, in turn, said, 'iPhone and iPad are well-known in every nation in the world, and we're thrilled that silicon from GlobalWafers America will be found in many of these incredible products. We feel honored that Apple is working with us and their first-tier suppliers to make American semiconductor manufacturing great again.'
Apple Chief Operating Officer Sabih Khan said the partnership is part of the company's commitment to supporting manufacturing in America, citing that the company has pledged to invest $600 billion in the US over the next four years.
"With our new American Manufacturing Program, we're proud to partner with companies like GlobalWafers America to create new jobs and bring even more manufacturing to America," said Khan. "This is part of our $600 billion commitment to the US over the next four years, and we couldn't be more excited about the future of American innovation."
The announcement comes as the Trump administration continues to support the semiconductor sector through policies such as the expanded Advanced Manufacturing Investment Credit and reforms to the CHIPS for America Program.
GlobalWafers says it is the third-largest global supplier of semiconductor wafers, maintaining 18 manufacturing and operational sites spanning three continents and nine countries.
