Samsung Electronics seeking 2nd production line in China

Samsung Electronics said yesterday it is seeking to build a new production line in China to manufacture flash memory chips in response to rising demand for mobile devices.

The company applied for a permit from the government to build its second overseas production line for producing NAND flash devices based on the 20-nanometer-class process technology, it said in a statement. If authorization is given and construction begins on schedule, production at the factory will begin in 2013.

Samsung plans to begin talks with the Chinese government to choose a location for the new plant so construction can begin next year, it said.

The company currently operates production lines in Austin, Texas, that manufacture NAND flash memory chips and logic chips, which process digital signals. Most of Samsung’s semiconductor production facilities are located in Korea.