Samsung Electronics will stick with its investment plans despite the coronavirus, and intends to take process technology leadership in the foundry business away from TSMC.

“High technology will be more important in the foundry market,” said Samsung Electronics CEO Kim Ki-nam (pictured) yesterday, “in that sense, Samsung’s foundry has never been behind Taiwan, and in fact many customers are coming to us nowadays. In short, we will drastically improve Samsung’s foundry business by securing leadership in next-generation process technology.”

Samsung is increasing its use, and improving the productivity, of EUV machines currently delivering 7nm generation chips at Samsung and TSMC.

Samsung intends to invest $105 billion in its chip business in the current decade and $10 billion in quantum dot displays by 2025.

“We expect uncertainties will continue at home and abroad due to the COVID-19 and the U.S.-China trade conflict,” added  Kim, ‘we will pursue business opportunities by investing in AI chips, foldable phones as well as system chips and QD display in any circumstances.”

Samsung says that demand for its chips has not been affected by the coronavirus.