Samsung To Splash Extra £6Bn On South Korean Chip Plant

Samsung Electronics is reportedly planning to invest at least 10 trillion won (£6.17bn) into its proposed South Korean chip plant.

The money adds to the previously announced 15.6 trillion won investment for the new plant build which will be situated in Pyeongtaek, south of Seoul.

DRAM

The MoneyToday report also said that the plant will focus on making DRAM memory chips, but could also produce mobile processors. Set to open in 2017, the plant will help Samsung to up its game following slowing smartphone sales.

Last month, it was rumoured that Samsung may be eyeing up an acquisition of Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) as it looks to heat up competition with chip rivals Intel and Qualcomm.

It was also revealed Google is to start using Samsung’s 3D NAND flash drives in Google data centres.

First reported by the Korea Times, the move will bolster Samsung’s credibility in the 3D NAND market, with a “sizeable” lump of money coming the South Korean firm’s way.

A Samsung Electronics spokesperson told the Korea Times: “The agreement calls for Samsung to supply 3D NAND SSD products for Google datacenters. Samsung is in discussions with Google to end some minor differences such as guaranteed shipments and pricing.”

TechWeekEurope reached out to both Samsung and Google about the deal, both parties declined to comment.

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