PSCSZ (Panasonic Semiconductor Suzhou Co.) held on January 22 a groundbreaking ceremony for its second semiconductor plant at the Suzhou National New & Hi-Tech Industrial Development Zone, according to Chinese-language Xinhua News.

A Chinese unit of Japan-based Matsushita Electric Industrial - operating under the brand name of Panasonic - PSCSZ plans to manufacture ICs, discrete semiconductor devices, as well as camera modules for mobile phones at this new plant.

PSCSZ has reportedly invested about 10 billion Yen (US$93.6 million; US$1 = 106.8 Yen) in this new plant, located on the same premises as the company's first Suzhou plant. Estimated to cover a total floor space of 15,530 square meters, PSCSZ's new plant is slated to start operations in October 2008.