Massive Taiwanese semiconductor manufacturer United Microelectronics Corp (UMC) is planning to build a new 12-inch wafer plant at an undisclosed cost. The plant will be located in the Tainan Industrial Park, on the site where UMC was originally planning to build an 8-inch wafer plant. A company executive talking to the Taiwanese Commercial Times said that the change of plans was because of increased demand for 12-inch wafers, he expected that orders would increase throughout the year. The Tainan park is currently under construction and it is not clear when it will be completed. UMC plans to purchase new production equipment early in 2000.
