Resumption of Some Chip Plants in Japan

Published:2011/3/22 4:39:00 Author:Amy From:SeekIC

According to foreign media, some Japanese chip plants shut down by reason of earthquake and tsunami have started to resume production. But some other plants still confront shortage of electricity.

Some industry insiders indicated that at present, the biggest concern of the chip industry is the quake and tsunami’s impact on supply chain of global high technology industry. Some issues may not be able to be solved in a few months, but resumption of some firms can be regarded as signs that the worst is over.

The second largest 300mm wafer supplier, Shin-Etsu Chemical, announced that after the earthquake occurred, four plants had been shut down. But now, there are two have recovered production. The company is evaluating the loss of another two plants and transferring the production facilities of one plant to another plant. According to the report of United Bank of Switzerland, Japan accounts for 72 percent of global 300mm wafer market.

Elpida, a Japanese DRAM firm, said that after temporary shutout by reason of Japanese earthquake and electricity cut-off. Its testing and package plant which is located in the northeast of Japan has recovered production. The plant was not damaged but power supply shortage will still be the problem, said Shin-Etsu Chemical.

According to the market research firm IHS iSuppli, it is impossible to resume all chip production lines before aftershocks in the northeast of Japan completely stopped. The production line will automatically shut off even when occurs five-M earthquake.

The catastrophe brought a great loss and huge damage for IC industry including facilities damage, raw materials shortage, and supply chain crisis and transportation or distribution interruption. The good part is that the industry is or will be recovering gradually and at least some of enterprises have been put on the correct path. The related integrated circuit is IT600-S.

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