KIKUYO-MACHI, Japan (Oct 7): Sony Corp's image sensor production will return to full capacity in the October-March half-year due to a pickup in smartphone demand, having spent part of the past year running just under full strength, the head of its chip-making subsidiary said. Sony commands about 40% of the market for complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) image sensors, a type of chip that converts light into electronic signals. A slowdown in the global smartphone market prompted Sony to cut sensor production in the October-March half of the last business year, but demand has since picked up. Ueda said combined monthly production would rise in the second half of this business year from 70,000 wafers at present to 73,000 wafers — full capacity at Sony's five image sensor plants. He said brisk demand for Sony's sensors also reflects the firm's effort to diversify its client base, noting clients had recently experienced some ups and downs.

Source: The Edge Markets October 07, 2016 07:52 UTC