[News] YMTC Reportedly Invests in SOI Micro, Backing an Alternative Chipmaking Approach Without EUV - TrendForce

China is actively pursuing alternative approaches to chip manufacturing, with SOI Micro recently attracting significant investment, signaling progress toward reducing reliance on foreign technology. T... Read original →

The advancement of FD-SOI technology marks China's strategic move to reduce reliance on EUV lithography. YMTC's investment in SOI Micro not only provides capital but also aims to establish a domestic supply chain ecosystem. This development will accelerate upstream EDA and PDK innovation, while strengthening midstream wafer and equipment validation capabilities. Downstream design firms may reduce dependence on imported process nodes. From a compliance standpoint, this approach mitigates some international sanctions risks, though technical maturity and ramp-up challenges remain. Competitors like STMicroelectronics and GlobalFoundries may intensify FD-SOI investments to maintain market relevance. Over the next 12 to 24 months, if SOI Micro achieves small-volume production as planned, it could offer a viable alternative for domestic chip supply chains, accelerating large-scale adoption of indigenous solutions.