New Facility in Tampines to Boost Production and Create Hundreds of Jobs
Siltronic, a leading German silicon-wafer manufacturer, has officially launched a new two-billion-euro (S$2.9 billion) wafer plant in Singapore on June 12, doubling its manufacturing footprint in the country. The 150,000-square-metre facility is the company’s third wafer-fabrication plant located in the Tampines Wafer Fab Park, bringing the total area of its wafer fabs in Singapore to 300,000 sq m.
This new plant will specialize in producing 300-mm wafers, which are crucial for semiconductor chip manufacturing, with an anticipated output of 100,000 wafers per month by the end of 2024. In addition, the facility is expected to create over 600 new jobs by 2028, spanning various roles from research to engineering.
Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat, who attended the launch event, highlighted that Siltronic’s new investment contributes to Singapore’s growing semiconductor ecosystem, reinforcing its global competitiveness and offering significant employment opportunities. He noted that the plant will enhance Singapore’s collaboration with global semiconductor companies, which remain a critical focus for the government.
The new facility is also notable for its silicon wafer epitaxy capabilities, making it the first of its kind in Singapore. This technology, which improves the electrical conductivity of wafers, is crucial for the production of advanced chips used in personal computers, smartphones, and AI servers. Despite the current weak demand for chips, Siltronic’s CEO, Michael Heckmeier, remains optimistic about the sector’s future, citing the cyclical nature of the industry and the potential boost driven by emerging megatrends such as AI, electromobility, and digitalization.
