SK hynix to build foundry line in China

SEOUL, July 10 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's No. 2 chipmaker SK hynix Inc. said Tuesday it will establish a joint venture in China to build a new foundry production line.

The chipmaker said its wholly owned subsidiary SK hynix System IC Inc. will build a new production line in the second half of this year in Wuxi, eastern China, along with Wuxi Industrial Development Group, an investment firm run by the regional government.

SK hynix System IC, launched last year, focuses on the foundry business, which refers to making chip designs for other companies that do not have a semiconductor fabrication plant.

There has been a rumor that SK hynix has been seeking to open a joint venture in China to expand its foundry business after the launch of the sister company.

The construction of the new factory is expected to be completed in the second half of 2019. SK hynix is expected to relocate production facilities at its Cheongju production line, some 130 kilometers southeast of Seoul, to its new Chinese plant throughout 2021.

colin@yna.co.kr
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