New 450mm consortium set up to advance facility expertise
The F450C group has been set up to spearhead construction and infrastructure efforts for 450mm wafer fabs
Edwards is one of the founding members of the Facility 450 Consortium (F450C).
This is a subgroup of the Global 450 Consortium (G450C) created to address the complex development and infrastructure requirements for next-generation 450mm semiconductor wafer fabs.
Housed at the SUNY College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering (CNSE) in Albany, the F450C has been formed to develop critical facility expertise needed to define pre-competitive facility solutions that will enable the 450mm evolution.
Edwards is the only vacuum and abatement company represented in this consortium.
"Edwards is excited about the partnership opportunities within F450C, applying our expertise and innovation in vacuum and abatement technologies to what is set to be the next big game-changer in the industry," comments Jim Gentilcore, Edward's CEO.
"Collaboration amongst consortium members will be key to understanding the practical aspects of the transition, and ultimately, achieving the productivity improvements promised by 450mm wafer processing."
Where the G450C provides leadership in the area of 450mm equipment and process technologies, the goal of the F450C is to develop facility and infrastructure solutions essential to the transition to 450mm wafer fabrication.
These go beyond the manufacturing hurdles that 450mm wafer processing brings, as next-generation fabs present new challenges with respect to the design of the facilities, substrate handling, tool connection, chemical distribution, water and electrical systems and many other areas.
On June 28th, 2013, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced more than $5 million in new private investment and the creation of up to 150 high-tech jobs through the formation of the Facility 450 Consortium (F450C) at SUNY's College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering (CNSE).
A 450mm Manufacturing EHS Forum will be held during SEMICON West 2013, which will address environment, health and safety (EHS) considerations, and impacts and challenges as manufacturers move to 450mm wafer processes. Edwards will be presenting "Green Mode: Integrating for Utility Savings," at the Forum.
Edwards is a developer and manufacturer of sophisticated vacuum products, abatement systems and related value-added services. These are integral to manufacturing processes for semiconductors, flat panel displays, LEDs and solar cells.
Edwards has over 3,200 full-time employees and 500 temporary workers operating in approximately 30 countries worldwide engaged in the design, manufacture and support of high technology vacuum and exhaust management equipment.
Edwards' American Depositary Shares trade on The NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol EVAC. Further information about Edwards can be found at www.edwardsvacuum.com.
About the F450C
The Facilities 450mm Consortium (F450C) is a first-of-its-kind partnership at SUNY's College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering (CNSE) that is leading the global effort to design and build next-generation 450mm computer chip fabrication facilities.
The collaboration includes 10 of the world's leading nanoelectronics facility companies, including Air Liquide, CH2M HILL, CS Clean Systems, Ceres Technologies, Edwards, Haws Corporation, Mega Fluid Systems, M+W Group, Ovivo, and Swagelok.
Members of F450C are working closely with the Global 450mm Consortium (G450C), as announced by New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo, to identify viable solutions required for 450mm high-volume facility construction, with initial focus areas to include reducing tool installation cost and duration, and improving facility sustainability.
