UMC sees Q3 revenue surge

Oct. 9, 2009 (China Knowledge) - Taiwan-based United Microelectronics Corp, the world's second-largest contract chipmaker, recorded nearly NT$27.41 billion of revenue in the third quarter of this year, representing a 21.11% growth from a quarter earlier, local media in Taiwan reported.

UMC on Thursday said its monthly revenue grew 5.23% in September to NT$9.54 billion, reaching the highest level in 23 months. Monthly revenues have been increasing since March.

High wafer prices were the main contributor to the revenue growth in Q3, when the firm saw orders for products made using 65-nanometer technology increase sharply, according to industry sources.

UMC chief executive Sun Shih-wei in July revealed that the firm will see shipments increase between 8% and 10% quarter-on-quarter in the improving global economy.

Moreover, UMC is expanding to match demand and to grab a larger market share of advanced process technology, according to the statement.

UMC is expanding its capacity at its 12-inch wafer plant in Singapore. The plant uses advanced 45-nanometer and 40-nanometer technologies, which are soon expected to contribute 1% of the Taiwanese firm's chip sales.