Samsung Electronics announced today that their 8 nm FinFET process technology, 8LPP (Low Power Plus), has been qualified and is ready for production. Samsung's newest process node provides up to 10-percent lower power consumption with up to 10-percent area reduction from 10LPP through a narrower metal pitch. 8LPP is expected to provide benefits for applications including mobile, cryptocurrency and network/server. Samsung expects this 8 nm node to be the last feasible one with current fabrication technology - shown by the fact it's actually employing much of the same design and production processes and philosophy as the 10 nm node. Samsung is counting on EUV (Extreme Ultra Violet) technology to enable 7 nm and smaller process nodes.

"With the qualification completed three months ahead of schedule, we have commenced 8LPP production," said Ryan Lee, Vice President of Foundry Marketing at Samsung Electronics. "Samsung Foundry continues to expand its process portfolio in order to provide distinct competitive advantages and excellent manufacturability based on what our customers and the market require." Details of the recent update to Samsung's foundry roadmap, including 8LPP availability and 7nm EUV development, will be presented at the Samsung Foundry Forum Europe on October 18, 2017, in Munich, Germany.