June 1, 2021

Japanese electronics group Renesas expects its fire-damaged chip plant to resume normal operations in mid-June, instead of the end of May as previously expected.

The Naka plant’s 300 mm chip line capacity in eastern Japan is now 88% operational, while all new equipment is estimated to be installed and switched on by mid-June.

Caused by faulty electrical wiring, the fire was another major blow to automakers as the automotive industry continues to struggle with a shortage of semiconductors.

Renesas manufactures a third of the microcontroller chips used in cars worldwide.

The fire gutted 600 square meters, 23 machines were destroyed and the highly sensitive clean room used for chip production turned to ashes.

The Japanese government appealed for help from equipment manufacturers, while customers such as Toyota Motors sent officials to help the chipmaker restart operations.

For more information, read the original story in Reuters.