outran other global integrated device manufacturers in the semiconductor foundry sector in the Jan.-March period in terms of sales, according to market research firm IHS on July 13.The Korean chip company’s foundry business is forecast to have earned $613 million in sales in the first quarter, the largest among the global device manufacturers. The figure is three times more than that of runner-up Micron, which made $198 million.

Currently, TSMC of Taiwan, which only runs the foundry business, rules the global foundry segment with its market share standing at 56.7 percent as of the first quarter this year. The Taiwanese chip company held almost 60 percent of market share in the first quarter of 2015.There are three types of chip companies -- an integrated device manufacturer, which designs, manufacturers, and sells integrated circuits; a fabless chip company, specialized in designing chips without any manufacturing facility; and a foundry business that operates manufacturing facilities for chip design houses.By Kim Young-won ( wone0102@heraldcorp.com)