With highest fab equipment capex forecasted for 2012, Korea is ready for SEMICON Korea

SAN JOSE, USA: With forecasts projecting Korea to lead the world in semiconductor equipment capital spending this year, industry leaders will be looking to SEMICON Korea 2012 in Seoul next month for the latest trends and technologies shaping the future of microelectronics manufacturing. Celebrating its 25th year serving the Korean market, SEMICON Korea 2012 will be held at the COEX in Seoul, February 7-9, and will again be co-located with the LED Korea exhibition focused on LED manufacturing and applications.

Typically, the first quarter of each year brings seasonal decline in semiconductor industry revenues and a drop in capital expenditure. Given the current economic uncertainties and the potential impact on the consumer, fab equipment spending worldwide is expected to decline by about 11 percent in 2012. Korea, however, is the only region in the world expected to show growth in fab equipment spending in 2012. Spending on fab equipment in Korea reached $7.4 billion in 2011, and forecasts project an increase of almost 39 percent to $10.3 billion this year.

SEMICON Korea is the leading semiconductor technology event serving the region, and technical presentations will address critical new technology developments, including new device architectures such as vertical transistors. Keynote presenters include Prof. Chenming Calvin Hu of the University of California at Berkeley (“Thin-Body FinFet Powering ICs to and Beyond 10nm"), and Dr. Luc Van den Hove, president and CEO of IMEC (“Semiconductor, Core of Sustainable Amazing World”).

Technical and business programs include the SEMI Technology Symposium, Market Seminar, Secondary Equipment Forum, Parts Sourcing Forum, and the System LSI Forum. A complete schedule of technical sessions and events can be found on the SEMICON Korea website.

New to SEMICON Korea this year is the “TechXPOT," a technology presentation stage located on the SEMICON Korea show floor. TechXPOT presentations will provide the latest perspectives on emerging and adjacent technologies including MEMS, Printed Electronics, Laser, ESD and Test. Additionally, LED Korea 2012 will feature two days of conference sessions which will address the next generation technologies for LED equipment and materials.

The Suppliers Search program will provide local firms with practical advice and tips to help them expand their businesses abroad. Job Fair 2012, sponsored by the semiconductor companies, will offer employment opportunities for job seekers in the semiconductor industry.