Samsung Electronics reportedly extended the construction contract for its P3 plant, leading to concerns about potential delays in the operational schedule. However, Samsung has emphasized that there are no issues with the factory's actual operation.
According to reports from Korean media outlet Dealsite, citing data from Samsung Engineering, the construction contract for Samsung's P3 plant has been prolonged by one year, now set to conclude on December 31, 2024. The P3 plant serves as a part of Samsung's comprehensive semiconductor production facility in Pyeongtaek, breaking ground in 2020. The NAND Flash production line introduced equipment in May 2022 and initiated mass production in July. Currently, the construction focus is on DRAM and foundry lines.
Originally, Samsung planned a phased activation starting with NAND, followed by DRAM and foundry lines, with foundry production anticipated in the latter half of 2023. Any potential delay in the completion timeline could affect the activation schedule for DRAM and foundry lines.
Samsung clarified that the contract extension is solely due to defect repairs and that the factory's actual operation remains unaffected. The operational schedule for the P3 plant remains unaltered. During the final phase of construction, contract terms are often adjusted for defect repairs and final settlements, without actual delays in the project timeline.
To ensure stable production capacity, Samsung is executing a "Shell-First Strategy," prioritizing facility construction before equipment installation. This strategy enables substantial investment without being restricted by current market conditions. Apart from the P3 plant, Samsung has plans for a total of six facilities in the Pyeongtaek campus, with construction on the P4 plant already underway.
