Imec Selected as a TSMC Value Chain Aggregator in India

Building on their six-year VCA collaboration in Europe, imec will provide comprehensive access to TSMC technologies for the design and production of ASIC products

Leuven (Belgium)—November 13, 2013 – Imec announced today an extended cooperation agreement to become a TSMC Value Chain Aggregator (VCA) in India. Under the terms of the agreement, imec can offer full mask tape out and wafer production to Indian fabless semiconductor companies, system and design houses. Customers in the region will gain enhanced technical support and fast access to TSMC foundry services through the new collaborative agreement with imec.

ASIC design for TSMC process technologies requires access to TSMC technology information, such as transistor models, standard cell libraries, memory compilers and IP blocks, among other components. For prototyping of the designed ASICs, customers can access TSMC Cybershuttle services through imec. In addition Customer-Owned Tooling (COT) services are available, such as access to TSMC technology files, library licenses, design support, GDSII submission, and preparation for production. Imec also offers its own digital backend design services and has extensive experience in qualification, packaging, test, and failure and yield analysis to further facilitate the process of bringing qualified ASIC solutions to the market.

“Entrepreneurial ASIC teams can increase their knowledge while accelerating their time-to-market success by tapping into the resources of TSMC and imec,” said Sajiv Dalal, Vice President, TSMC North America. “We have a long history with imec of collaborating on design and manufacturing, making this combination an expert support team for emerging new players who want to bring their innovations to the world.”

“Over the past six years, imec has successfully supported more than 200 companies in Europe in designing and producing qualified ASIC solutions as a TSMC VCA in Europe, and earlier this year, we extended our VCA activities for TSMC in Brazil,” said Steve Beckers, general manager imec services at imec. “Through our local representation in Bangalore (imec India), we are now reaching out to the Indian market to further extend our VCA service for TSMC. Combining imec’s and TSMC’s strengths, we are well-positioned to support market growth of Indian semiconductor and design companies, while also spearheading research advancements in the region to drive further innovation.”

Through its expanded presence and role as TSMC’s VCA in India, imec can increase its customer base, taking advantage of the associated economies of scale. The partnership will also allow for better cooperation between imec and Indian companies as well as research institutes in applicable research domains, such as sensors, low power electronics, imaging, body area networks, energy devices and core CMOS technology.

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, India and Japan. Its staff of more than 2,000 people includes more than 650 industrial residents and guest researchers. In 2012, imec's revenue (P&L) totaled 320 million euro. Further information on imec can be found at www.imec.be.
Imec is a registered trademark for the activities of IMEC International (a legal entity set up under Belgian law as a "stichting van openbaar nut”), imec Belgium (IMEC vzw supported by the Flemish Government), imec the Netherlands (Stichting IMEC Nederland, part of Holst Centre which is supported by the Dutch Government), imec Taiwan (IMEC Taiwan Co.)and imec China (IMEC Microelectronics (Shanghai) Co. Ltd.) and imec India (Imec India Private Limited).

Contact:

Hanne Degans, External Communications Officer, T: +32 16 28 17 69, Mobile: +32 486 06 51 75, hanne.degans@imec.be