On Jul 20, Singapore-based Silicon Box opened a $2 billion advanced semiconductor manufacturing factory poised to revolutionise the chip manufacturing sector.
The three founders of Silicon Box, CEO Dr Han Byung Joon, Chairman of the Board Dr Sehat Sutradja and his wife Weili Dai were joined by guest of honour, Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB) Chairman Png Choon Boon at the 73,000 sq m facility’s launch.
“This factory is the first one and I believe there is an opportunity for many such factories possibly all over the world. I believe innovation knows no borders and we share a common goal to build a better, more prosperous future. This experience from Silicon Box has given us the confidence, the competence and know how to do it again and again,” says Han.
“Singapore is home to a vibrant and sophisticated semiconductor industry, with a strong ecosystem of solution providers and partners. Silicon Box’s decision to set up its first manufacturing and R&D facility in Singapore is testament to our competitiveness as a critical global node for semiconductors and a vote of confidence in the long-term growth prospects of the sector in Singapore. We will continue to strengthen our industry’s competitiveness by developing a stronger talent pipeline, reducing the sector’s carbon footprint and deepening our semiconductor R&D capabilities,” says Png in his speech.
Supported by the EDB, Silicon Box is also looking to upskill and employ up to 1,200 highly skilled people at the environmental, social and governance (ESG)-friendly factory.
The company’s one-of-a-kind fabrication of “chiplets” results in design flexibility, better electrical performance and double the computing performance at a fraction of the cost compared to traditional approaches. For graphical processors and high-performance computing chips, costs can be reduced by up to four times.
See also: Alibaba anoints new chief in revamp of stalling commerce arm
Han says: “This new facility is well poised to solve the unique challenges for chiplet adoption, which is critical to meet market demands of emerging technologies. Our proprietary technology will not only shorten the design cycle of chips but also lower new device costs, reduce power consumption and enable faster time-to-market for industry partners like artificial intelligence, data centres, and electronic vehicles.”
Silicon Box offers design flexibility and exceptional electrical performance at a lower cost and power consumption with its proprietary fabrication method. They have developed the shortest interconnections using sub-5-micron technology, setting a new standard in semiconductor design cycles. This means the industry can efficiently scale chiplet-based solutions across the semiconductor value chain.
With the design flexibility, Silicon Box’s chiplets are able to provide better electrical performance, cost-savings, shorter interconnections, higher performance and more.
See also: Break up Google? What’s at stake in antitrust action
The benefits for chip designers result in double computing performance at a fraction of the cost compared to traditional approaches. For graphical processors and high-performance computing chips, costs can be reduced by up to four times. This is a new paradigm in the chip industry, where stakeholders can concentrate on enhancing the performance optimisation of these modular functional units.
In line with Singapore’s goal to expand its manufacturing sector by 50% by 2030, the launch of this new factory is expected to further strengthen its appeal as a preferred destination for AI and semiconductor companies seeking to diversify their manufacturing supply chains amid growing geopolitical tensions.
As Singapore embraces this new technology, the country aims to solidify its position as a global leader in high-performance technology and enhance its attractiveness to industry players. This factory by Silicon Box is expected to have a significant impact on Singapore’s semiconductor sector, as it is expected to boost the industry’s growth and elevate the country’s standing in the global market. This will also support the nation’s economic expansion and its long-term vision of expanding its manufacturing base.
At its core, this cutting-edge offering is not only for manufacturers but retailers and consumers. The ripple effects extend beyond its financial impact, the predicted economic surge spans multiple sectors due to the interwoven nature of today’s supply chains. This expansion in Asia marks more than widened industrial horizons; it preludes a shift to innovation-led growth brewing within Singapore’s borders.
