SiCarrier showcases new chipmaking tools at Shanghai fair

SiCarrier, a semiconductor equipment maker linked to Huawei, attracted a large crowd at a trade fair in Shanghai. The company showcased its latest chipmaking tools for the first time. This event lasted three days and highlighted China's efforts to become self-sufficient in technology amid US export restrictions. Founded four years ago with support from the Shenzhen government, SiCarrier displayed many new machines for chip manufacturing and testing at Semicon China. Industry insiders believe that some of these products may help in producing Huawei's 7-nanometre chips, which were introduced in the Mate 60 Pro smartphone last year. However, SiCarrier has not confirmed these connections. The company did not reveal the specific capabilities of its machines. Yet, a staff member mentioned that some tools, including an etching device, could potentially support 5-nm chip production. This aligns with a patent application from 2023 for a method to produce 5-nm chips using existing technologies, as advanced chips typically require more advanced, and often restricted, production methods. The interest in SiCarrier's booth was high, with many attendees, including reporters and potential clients, eager to learn about products that may help China become less dependent on foreign chipmaking technology.