UMC says plant in Singapore will be equipped on time

United Microelectronics Corp (UMC, 聯電) will start equipping its new Singapore plant in January as planned, as the world's No. 2 supplier of made-to-order chips expands its capacity to make semiconductors using the latest technology.

Machinery installation at UMCi, a venture with Infineon Technologies AG that makes 12-inch silicon wafers, will begin in the first quarter, spokesman Alex Hinnawi said, denying a report that UMC plans to delay the process because of a slower-than-expected recovery in demand.

"Our expansion plan is still on target," Hinnawi said.