[종합] ‘Shutdown’ of Samsung’s Austin plant due to a record cold wave in the United States… “Semiconductor supply and demand raged”

Due to power shortages occurring in various parts of the United States, Samsung Electronics’ local semiconductor factories were also faced with a first-time shutdown.

According to foreign media and related industries on the 17th, the power supply to Samsung Electronics’ semiconductor plant in Austin, Texas, was cut off from the dawn of the day in Korean time.

The Austin plant is Samsung Electronics’ only semiconductor plant in the US, the first time since its establishment in 1998 that the plant has ceased production due to power shortages.

In addition to Samsung Electronics, the power supply is known to have been cut off at major local companies and production facilities.

According to local media in the United States, the power supply to 5.5 million households in 18 states, including Texas, Oregon, Kentucky, West Virginia and Virginia, has been cut off due to the record heavy snowfall and cold wave that hit the United States.

“The last 15 days, prior notice of electricity supply interruption…Recovery matters to be discussed with the city”

An official from Samsung Electronics said, “On the 15th (from Austin Energy), we were informed in advance that the electricity supply will be stopped due to the power shortage problem due to heavy snowfall and cold wave. We have taken precautions to minimize damage and We are waiting for recovery.”

Although they have taken precautionary measures, the scale of the damage caused by the plant shutdown is expected to be significant. When the Pyeongtaek semiconductor plant was shut down for 30 minutes due to a fire in 2018, Samsung Electronics lost about 50 billion won.

However, it is known that there will be no losses such as wafer damage due to this shutdown. Preparing points such as storage of intermediate-process products are expected to help the factory restart smoothly.

The timing of power supply and restarting the plant is expected to be determined through consultations with the city of Austin, including Samsung Electronics and other local companies.

An official from Samsung Electronics said, “When power is supplied and the factory is restarted, we must consult with the city of Austin.”

Still, it’s a shortage of 車semiconductors…

Samsung Electronics’ Austin Semiconductor Plant is commissioned to produce automotive semiconductors, communication chips, and mobile APs, including Tesla’s chips for autonomous vehicles.

Industry analysts say that the current power supply interruption will cause automotive semiconductor companies such as NXP and Infineon to stop production, which will hurt the automotive industry, which is experiencing a recent semiconductor supply shortage. NXP and Infineon occupy 21% and 19%, respectively, in the automotive semiconductor market. Japan’s Renesas Electronics, the world’s third largest company, has also stopped operating its local plant due to the 7.3 earthquake in Fukushima Prefecture on the 13th.

The global automaker industry is already experiencing serious production disruptions due to shortages in automotive semiconductors. Market research firm IHS Markit predicted that the worldwide automobile production will be delayed by nearly 1 million units due to the recent shortage of automotive semiconductors.

It usually takes 12 to 16 weeks from order to supply, but now it takes at least 26 weeks due to the shortage of automotive semiconductor supply. Ford, Volkswagen, Toyota, and GM have already made a decision to cut production because they could not obtain automotive semiconductors.

An official from the automobile industry said, “Amidst the unsatisfactory supply and demand of semiconductors for vehicles, the unprecedented situation in which semiconductor factories are shut down due to the record heavy snowfall and cold wave in the United States occurred. “We will not be able to meet the influx of demand and will have a hard time supplying vehicles.”