Key Takeaways
- Huawei is reportedly supporting a major DRAM manufacturing project through SwaySure Technology.
- The proposed plant would produce 140,000 wafers per month using a 28nm process.
- SwaySure has government support and aims to reduce Huawei's reliance on foreign memory suppliers.
Chinese tech giant Huawei is reportedly set to establish its own DRAM manufacturing facility in China, as part of efforts to reduce its dependence on foreign suppliers and mitigate the impact of US trade restrictions. The project involves SwaySure Technology, a Shenzhen-based state-backed memory company with close ties to Huawei.
According to reports, the proposed 12-inch wafer plant would initially use a 28nm process and target a monthly production capacity of 140,000 wafers. However, neither Huawei nor SwaySure has formally announced this partnership or confirmed the specific production targets.
The latest report is based on information published by Semiconductor Insider, an account on X. Wccftech rated the claim as 'plausible,' noting that it had limited independent corroboration. Huawei has not commented publicly on the latest report, and the figures of 28nm process and 140,000-wafer capacity are not entirely new.
SwaySure describes itself as a memory-chip developer and manufacturer financed by a state-owned investment organization. It was founded in March 2022 with a state-backed ownership background in Shenzhen. The company focuses on developing and manufacturing memory products for consumer electronics, vehicles, and other applications.
Industry sources previously reported SwaySure as the operator of one of several semiconductor facilities developed in Shenzhen with local government support. Huawei has denied that SwaySure and several other semiconductor companies were its affiliates, stating it was incorrect to attribute all semiconductor activity around the Shenzhen facilities directly to Huawei.
SwaySure has recruited experienced executives from the international semiconductor industry. Its chief executive, Liu Xiaoqiang, previously managed fabrication facilities for Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company. The company also appointed Yukio Sakamoto, former CEO of Japanese DRAM manufacturer Elpida Memory, as its chief strategy officer.
Reducing dependence on foreign memory suppliers is a strategic move by Huawei. Currently, the company relies heavily on outside manufacturers for many of the memory chips used in smartphones, telecommunications equipment, vehicles, and AI hardware. Domestic production could provide an alternative source if foreign shipments become restricted or too expensive.
Huawei has faced US technology restrictions since 2019, which have limited its access to advanced chips, manufacturing equipment, and foreign suppliers. This has encouraged the company to develop a more self-sufficient semiconductor supply chain.
