For those who came in late, FD-SOI is targeted Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI) and Big Data applications.

In a recent interview with Digitimes, Jha said the new Chengdu fab will initially focus on mainstream process technologies including 0.18-, 0.13- and 0.11-micron, which will be transferred from Globalfoundries' 12-inch fab in Singapore. Then we'll bring 22nm FD-SOI manufacturing to the fab.

Future plans involve transferring 12nm FD-SOI process technology to the Chengdu fab.

“Globalfoundries is promoting its FD-SOI technology in China to satisfy demand for IoT and AI applications. We hold leading position in the FD-SOI field, and we care about feedback from the market,”

Meanwhile Globalfoundries' 7nm process technology will be ready for volume production in 2018, and it will introduce an improved version using extreme ultraviolet (EUV) a year later, Jha.

“We have also started R&D for 5nm process technology. In the advanced process race, Globalfoundries basically will participate in the every generation,” he added.

He said that Globalfoundries' investment in 7nm should see enough returns as it will be one of the few suppliers capable of 7nm manufacturing, and plans to move the node to volume production in 2018 which only TSMC has the same commitment.

Globalfoundries already has customers engaged with its 7nm process node, Jha said.

It is not clear if GloFo will make much cash out of 5nm because there is no unified 5nm standard. FinFET is not the only option for 5nm process architecture. Gate-all-around (GAA) is also viable, he pointed out.

No one is sure about end-market applications, if it will be smartphones of AI or something else. In any event, 5nm will not arrive until 2020.