Floodwater and damage in North Carolina
Photographer: Melissa Sue Gerrits/Getty Images
By Jane Lanhee Lee, Yoolim Lee, and Christina Kyriasoglou
October 2, 2024 at 8:02 AM EDT
Global semiconductor makers are monitoring supplies of high-purity quartz, a material critical to the industry, after Hurricane Helene halted production at two North Carolina mines that produce most of the world’s supply.
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. — the world’s largest chipmaker — and Germany’s Infineon Technologies AG said in statements they were keeping tabs on the situation but didn’t anticipate any significant impact to their operations. South Korea’s Samsung Electronics Co. and SK Hynix Inc. said they also don’t expect repercussions. TSMC supplier Topco Scientific Co., which processes quartz, said it is reviewing its inventory and is in close touch with all suppliers.
The impact on the global chipmaking sector remains unclear, given semiconductor firms are adept at stockpiling essential components and the operations in North Carolina are expected to eventually resume. GlobalWafers Co., one of the world’s biggest suppliers of silicon to the likes of TSMC, on Thursday became the latest to play down immediate supply concerns.
“Our crucible suppliers have sufficient inventory to meet our needs,” the Taiwanese company said in a statement. “The supply chain is resilient enough to manage a temporary disruption in upstream material. Adequate inventories are maintained throughout, and we do not anticipate any impact on our ability to fulfill committed orders.”