With the semiconductor food chain already strongly established in Asia -- including design, EDA, IP firms, and testing and packaging services -- the long-term outlook indicates that Asia's position in semiconductor production will continue to strengthen, reports In-Stat (http://www.in-stat.com). In addition to reduced production costs in Asia, companies will also benefit from the growing demand for semiconductors in Asia itself, the high-tech market research firm says.

"With the foundry business centered in Taiwan, and major memory makers located nearby in Japan and South Korea, China is expected to drive the next manufacturing growth wave in Asia," said Mayank Jain, In-Stat analyst. "Many IDM and foundry players in China are already expanding their production capacities."

Recent research by In-Stat found the following:

-- Overall foundry revenues in 2005 were US$18.24 billion, and the contribution of Asian foundries was close to 91%, at US$16.56 billion.

-- Revenue from Asian foundries is expected to reach US$31.8 billion in 2010.

-- With Samsung venturing into the leading-edge foundry business, competition is expected to heat up among top foundry players offering advanced process technology, while China's foundries will offer low-cost fabrication on older technologies.

The research, "Semiconductor Manufacturing in Asia: Focus on China, South Korea, and Taiwan" (#IN0602728ASM), covers the semiconductor manufacturing market in Asia. It includes a forecast of Asian foundry revenue, Asia's market share of the foundry business, as well as of the overall Asian semiconductor market through 2010. It also includes extensive analysis of the challenges and drivers of the Asian semiconductor industry. Technology road maps of major manufacturers are provided.

For more information on this research, please visit: http://www.instat.com/catalog/Scatalogue.asp?id=239 or contact Erin McKeighan at 480-609-4551 or emckeighan@reedbusiness.com. The price is $2,495 (US).

About In-Stat

Technology vendors, service providers, technology professionals and market specialists, worldwide, rely on In-Stat's experienced staff and in-depth research to support critical business, product and technology decisions. In-Stat's insights are derived from both a deep technology understanding and comprehensive research, which examines each segment of the value chain for each market. Regular and ongoing end user demand and primary research surveys underpin much of the analysis, enabling In-Stat to provide incisive market knowledge and guidance on future market opportunities.

In-Stat is a strategic segment of the $9 billion Reed Elsevier global information network, with access to an expansive worldwide electronic network, extensive technology databases and well-informed personnel. As a member of Reed Business Information, In-Stat is a division of the largest business-to-business publisher in the United States.