The bulk of new fabs will be built in the Asia-Pacific/ROW region over the next three to four years, according to World Fab Watch. Compiled by Strategic Marketing Associates, the quarterly snapshot forecasts at least new 37 chip factories for the region by 2005.

SOURCE: STRATEGIC MARKETING ASSOCIATES; ILLUSTRATION BY JAMES SCHLESINGER

Most of these fabs will process 300-mm wafers, says George Burns, president of the market research company. "Basically, I'd say that about two-thirds of the new fabs are either foundries or DRAM fabs, with foundries the majority of those." China has arrived, Burns notes. "There are more new fabs now being started in China than in any other place. Their value isn't as much as, for example, a 12-in. fab started by TSMC in Hsinchu [Taiwan]. But in terms of the number of fabs, China is where the action is."

The July report notes that fabs in the region will process 62% of the global capacity of 8-in. wafers equivalent. Only nine fabs will be built in North America during the same period. Around the world, 972 fabs are operating. A total of 67 fabs will ramp up by 2005.