Samsung chip plant in China achieves full capacity amid epidemic

The first phase of Samsung's chip plant in Xi'an, capital of Northwest China's Shaanxi province, achieved its full capacity of 130,000 memory chips per month in both January and February, according to Samsung China Semiconductor Co Ltd.

The company said they are pushing forward the construction of the second phase as planned.

The company was faced with obstacles such as shortages of raw materials and manpower due to the novel coronavirus outbreak, said Hyunki Ji, vice-president of Samsung China Semiconductor Co Ltd, adding that the local government has provided support to ensure the smooth operation of the plant.

The plant did not suspend operations during the Spring Festival holiday, with a series of anti-epidemic measures to ensure safe work and production, according to the company.

Thermal temperature detectors are set up at four entrances of the first phase of the plant to check employees' body temperatures. Workers are also required to follow specific routes inside the plant and have meals in separate areas, in a move to limit cross-infection risks.

The provincial and municipal governments have coordinated between Samsung's plant and tens of upstream and downstream firms to ensure the transportation and supply of key materials. The government of the Xi'an Hi-Tech Industries Development Zone, where the plant is located, also set up a special group temporarily to help Samsung solve problems, ready to respond 24 hours a day.

The first phase of the plant went into operation in May 2014, with a total investment of $10 billion.

The construction of the second phase of the plant started in March 2018, with its total investment expected to exceed $14 billion. The first part is near completion with equipment currently being tested and installed. The second part is scheduled to finish interior decoration by August, the company said.