GLOBALFOUNDRIES enters a broad strategic partnership with imec

Leuven, Belgium – April 4, 2011 – GLOBALFOUNDRIES, one of the world’s leading semiconductor foundries, has signed a strategic long-term partnership on sub-22nm CMOS scaling and GaN-on-Si technology with the nanoelectronics R&D center imec. 

GLOBALFOUNDRIES becomes a full imec core CMOS partner. Imec’s sub-22nm core CMOS program aims at developing processes that can be used in high-volume manufacturing of future logic and memory ICs. The program encompasses material and device studies, tool and process step exploration, integration options and advanced characterization towards process technology platforms for the next generation of ICs, as well as exploring and developing the options for further generations.

The company will also closely collaborate on EUV lithography, device technology for logic and memory, nano-interconnects and 3D integration together with other leading integrated device manufacturers (IDMs), foundries, fabless and fablite companies, equipment and material suppliers who are part of the imec research ecosystem.

GLOBALFOUNDRIES also joins the imec GaN research program, which aims at high-performance, cost-effective GaN devices on silicon. This program brings together leading IDMs, foundries, compound semiconductor companies, equipment suppliers and substrate suppliers to develop 8-inch GaN technology on silicon.

“Partnering with GLOBALFOUNDRIES is very important for imec and our partners since it strengthens our collaboration with foundries and thus also the ecosystem we offer in our programs to IDMs and the fabless and fablite community,” said Luc Van den hove, President and CEO of imec. “We expect this partnership to give a further boost to our research programs over the coming years.”

“GLOBALFOUNDRIES has long embraced a collaborative approach to R&D innovation based on a model of shared objectives and shared investments with partners around the world,” said David Bennett, vice president of alliances at GLOBALFOUNDRIES. “The mission and capabilities of imec are highly complementary to our current collaborative R&D approach and will add another important dimension to our technology pipeline.”

Download this news release at http://www2.imec.be/be_en/press/imec-news/imecglobalfoundries.html

About imec

Imec performs world-leading research in nanoelectronics. Imec leverages its scientific knowledge with the innovative power of its global partnerships in ICT, healthcare and energy. Imec delivers industry-relevant technology solutions. In a unique high-tech environment, its international top talent is committed to providing the building blocks for a better life in a sustainable society. Imec is headquartered in Leuven, Belgium, and has offices in Belgium, the Netherlands, Taiwan, US, China and Japan. Its staff of more than 1,750 people includes over 550 industrial residents and guest researchers. In 2009, imec's revenue (P&L) was 275 million euro. Further information on imec can be found at www.imec.be.

About GLOBALFOUNDRIES

GLOBALFOUNDRIES is the world’s first full-service semiconductor foundry with a truly global manufacturing and technology footprint. Launched in March 2009 through a partnership between AMD [NYSE: AMD] and the Advanced Technology Investment Company (ATIC), GLOBALFOUNDRIES provides a unique combination of advanced technology, manufacturing excellence and global operations. With the integration of Chartered in January 2010, GLOBALFOUNDRIES significantly expanded its capacity and ability to provide best-in-class foundry services from mainstream to the leading edge. GLOBALFOUNDRIES is headquartered in Silicon Valley with manufacturing operations in Singapore, Germany, and a new leading-edge fab under construction in Saratoga County, New York. These sites are supported by a global network of R&D, design enablement, and customer support in Singapore, China, Taiwan, Japan, the United States, Germany, and the United Kingdom. For more information on GLOBALFOUNDRIES, visit http://www.globalfoundries.com.