Samsung Electronics has announced a long-term vision to quadruple its foundry (semiconductor contract manufacturing) client base by 2029, compared to the number at the time of its independent business unit launch. The strategy aims to enhance competitiveness in the foundry market by significantly strengthening its focus on artificial intelligence (AI) and high-performance computing (HPC).
On September 29, Noh Mi-jeong, Executive Vice President of Samsung's Foundry Business, presented this vision during a corporate briefing at the 'Korea Premium Week 2026' event held at The Grand Lotte Seoul in central Seoul.
Noh stated, "Compared to 2017, when the foundry division was established as an independent unit, the current client base has increased by about three times. Through continuous order activities and portfolio diversification, we expect to secure a client base four times larger than at the launch by 2029."
The strategy to expand the client base centers on the AI and HPC sectors. HPC refers to advanced computing systems that process vast amounts of data at high speeds, essential for training and inference of large AI models and supercomputers.
Samsung has been rapidly restructuring its order structure, which had previously focused on mobile products like smartphones, towards semiconductors for data centers and AI computing.
The share of the HPC business, which accounted for only 5% of total foundry revenue at the time of the division's independence in 2017, has now grown to 28%. By 2029, this share is projected to soar to 66%.
Noh emphasized, "By 2029, HPC-related clients will make up more than half of our total client base, becoming a key revenue source that exceeds half of our sales."
Samsung is also rapidly advancing its roadmap for advanced fine processes and plans for global production infrastructure expansion. The company aims to begin mass production of its third-generation 2-nanometer process by 2028 and complete mass production of its 1.4-nanometer process by 2029.
Additionally, plans for establishing overseas production bases are progressing on a concrete timeline. Initial operations at the first foundry fab in Taylor, Texas, are set to begin by the end of this year, with construction of a second fab expected to start within the year, aiming for commercial production to commence in 2030.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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