Nvidia has emerged as a major buyer in the semiconductor package substrate business of Samsung Electro-Mechanics (009150). With the two companies agreeing to jointly expand production lines in South Korea, their relationship has moved beyond parts supply to joint operation of manufacturing facilities.
Samsung Electro-Mechanics announced a strategic partnership with Nvidia on the 21st to supply package substrates for next-generation artificial intelligence chips. The two companies will invest jointly in the Sejong and Busan plants to build production lines dedicated to Nvidia. Samsung Electro-Mechanics had earlier said it would invest a total of 23 trillion won ($16 billion) through 2040 to develop the Sejong and Busan sites into production bases for advanced AI substrates. Nvidia, which has signed a long-term agreement (LTA) with Samsung Electro-Mechanics, is expected to cover part of that spending.
Samsung Electro-Mechanics said volumes supplied to Nvidia would grow by more than 10% a year on average. By 2028, it expects Nvidia-bound volumes to account for a large share of its total package substrate capacity. Nvidia aims to ease bottlenecks in mass production of AI chips by adding substrate suppliers and capacity, while Samsung Electro-Mechanics secures a stable revenue base for its high-margin substrate business.
Package substrates are a core component that electrically connects semiconductor chips to other parts. Those for AI chips are larger in area and have more complex circuitry than general-purpose substrates, making them harder to manufacture. Producers must process circuits at fine dimensions while minimizing heat-induced warping of the substrate. The substrates also incorporate multilayer ceramic capacitors (MLCCs) and silicon capacitors made by Samsung Electro-Mechanics to stabilize power delivery.
"We will fully carry out our role as a total solution provider so that Nvidia's AI computing platform can reach the market on time with the best performance and quality," said Jang Duck-hyun, president of Samsung Electro-Mechanics. Debora Shoquist, executive vice president of operations at Nvidia, said the partnership with Samsung Electro-Mechanics broadens its network of substrate supply partners and secures additional capacity.
