Samsung Electronics Co. recently opened a research and development (R&D) center for its foundry business, industry sources said Monday, reflecting its drive to advance deeper into the segment.

Industry sources said Samsung, which has emerged as one of the major leaders of the global chip industry, is currently seeking to catch up with No. 1 player Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) in the foundry sector. Samsung is currently the fourth-largest player in the global foundry industry.

The foundry business refers to making chip designs for other companies that do not have a semiconductor fabrication plant.

According to the sources, Samsung opened the R&D center under the crucial device solution arm, which oversees the company's critical chip business. The new center is focused on bolstering Samsung's capabilities in the foundry business, the sources added.

The new center adds to Samsung's existing eight research bodies under the device solution division, namely memory, system LSI, semiconductor, package, LED, production technology, software and display centers.

Samsung earlier vowed to become the world's No. 2 player in the foundry industry this year by posting annual sales of US$10 billion.

"Samsung recently launched various efforts to make inroads deeper into the foundry business, also kicking off the Samsung Advanced Foundry Ecosystem program earlier this year for foundry-related clients," an industry watcher said. "It is fostering growth engines by strengthening ties with major clients including Qualcomm."

By: DocMemory
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