Yangtze Memory Technologies (YMTC), China's foremost NAND flash memory manufacturer, is set to embark on an ambitious expansion plan. In addition to its existing wafer fabrication facilities, YMTC intends to construct two new factories, with the goal of doubling its overall production capacity once all facilities are fully operational. Presently, YMTC's two wafer fabs boast a combined monthly output of 200,000 wafers. Upon the activation of the new factories, each will contribute an additional 100,000 wafers per month to the total production volume.
Notably, the third factory, located in Wuhan, is slated to commence production within the current year. Remarkably, over half of the equipment utilized in this factory will be domestically manufactured, underscoring China's commitment to self-reliance in the semiconductor industry. As part of its expansion strategy, YMTC will also partially transition towards DRAM production, diversifying its product portfolio.
Projections indicate that by the third quarter of 2025, YMTC's global market share in NAND flash memory will surpass 13% for the first time, bringing it tantalizingly close to the market share held by Micron. Once the third-phase projects reach their full production potential, YMTC's annual output is expected to surge from 1.77 million wafers in 2025 to nearly 2 million wafers in 2026, marking a significant milestone in the company's growth trajectory.
Furthermore, YMTC has successfully entered mass production of its 294-layer 3D TLC NAND chip, which is based on the cutting-edge Xtacking 4.0 architecture. This new chip boasts performance metrics that are on par with international mainstream products, solidifying YMTC's position as a formidable player in the global semiconductor market.