GF’s official website recently announced a strategic partnership with Amkor Technology, the largest semiconductor packaging and test service provider in the United States. GF plans to move its 12-inch wafer-level packaging production line from its Dresden facility to Amco’s facility in Porto, Portugal, to build the first large-scale back-end facility in Europe.
GF said the partnership expands semiconductor supply chains in Europe and across the Atlantic.
GF will retain ownership of the tools, processes and IP it transfers in Porto, the announcement revealed. The two sides also plan to cooperate in Portugal’s future development efforts.
According to the announcement, Amkor currently has the only large-scale OSAT facility in Europe, and GF is the largest and most advanced semiconductor manufacturing services company in Europe. The partnership creates more European supply chain autonomy for key end markets, including automotive, through the advanced packaged semiconductor supply chain outside Asia.
Mike Hogan, GF’s Chief Commercial Officer, said, “GF remains committed to growing our European manufacturing ecosystem to support local and global customers, particularly in the automotive market. The partnership with Amkor in Portugal will provide much-needed services within the EU and expand the US-EU semiconductor supply chain. ”
Kevin Engel, Executive Vice President, Amkor Business Unit, said: “The strategic partnership with GF will strengthen Europe’s advanced semiconductor packaging supply chain and enhance competitiveness to complement existing capabilities in Asia. Amkor’s partnership with GF allows us to significantly scale up production and bring additional assembly and testing capabilities to the market to support our European and global customers.” “
