Silicon wafer supplier GlobalWafers has disclosed plans to build new production lines for 12-inch wafers at its existing plant in South Korea.

GlobalWafers indicated a total of US$438 million will be invested through subsidiary MEMC Korea to expand production capacity at its local plant in Cheonan, South Chungcheong. An additional 150,000 wafers will be produced monthly when the new capacity comes online in 2020.

GlobalWafers continued the additional 12-inch wafers are to fulfill orders placed by its clients that have struck long-term deals with the company.

Earlier in 2018, GlobalWafers reached a MoU with the government of South Korea for the silicon wafer company to expand production capacity at its local plant, the company disclosed, without elaborating.

GlobalWafers announced consolidated revenues of about NT$5 billion (US$161.6 million) for September 2018, down 3.5% on month but up 19.6% on year. Revenues came to NT$15.16 billion for the third quarter of 2018, rising 5.5% on quarter and 26.6% from a year earlier.

GlobalWafers' cumulative 2018 revenues through September totaled NT$43.44 billion, rising 28.7% on year.