Shanghai-based Huahong Group announced the start of operations of its new Wuxi integrated circuit research, development and manufacturing center on Sept 17. [Photo/wxrb.com]
Shanghai-based Huahong Group announced the start of operations of its new Wuxi integrated circuit research, development and manufacturing center on Sept 17—marking a milestone for the city's IC development, according to local officials.
The facility, with a total investment value of more than $10 billion, has been established in Wuxi National High-tech District.
Officials said it is the largest-ever single investment in Wuxi and the project is also the first production facility that Huahong Group has invested in outside Shanghai.
The project's construction began in March 2018 and the first photolithography machines were installed in the plant in June 2019. Wuxi will become one of the most advanced IC production line-intensive areas in China, local media reported.
Six dignitaries launched the start of production—including Hu Qili, first president of Huahong Group; Hua Jianmin, first vice-president of Huahong Group; Lou Qinjian, Party secretary of Jiangsu province; Li Xiaomin, Party secretary of Wuxi; Ma Chunlei, deputy general-secretary of Shanghai Municipal Government and Zhang Wenyi, vice chairman of Huahong's first board of directors.
Li Xiaomin expressed his gratitude to all the departments that supported the construction of the project.
"It's a highlight for Wuxi's integrated circuit industry, a milestone for Huahong and Wuxi to promote the integrated circuit development in China and an example of integration and cooperation between Yangtze Delta regions," Li said.
The first phase can produce 40,000 sets a month, with a processing technology platform that includes emerging applications such as mobile communications, the internet of things, the smart home, artificial intelligence and new energy vehicles.
The company said it is expected to meet the market's demand for medium and high-end integrated circuit chip products.
As one of the major industrial projects in Wuxi during the 13th Five-Year Plan period (2016-20), the Huahong investment was widely acclaimed as a pacesetter for China's IC industry.
It will consolidate the city's position as a microelectronics industry center in the southern half of China.
