SCIENCE/TECHNOLOGY

Silicon Systems has acquired an option to purchase a chip-manufacturing plant in the United States. Company officials aren’t saying where the plant is located, except to say that it isn’t in Orange County.

Officials of the Tustin-based computer chip manufacturer said terms of the purchase agreement prohibit the firm from discussing the plant’s location.

Silicon Systems’ existing manufacturing plant in Tustin is operating at full capacity, and the company has been relying on outside chip manufacturers to meet demand from its customers.

“If this facility is acquired, it will allow us to reduce our dependence on outside wafer foundries,” said Carmelo J. Santoro, chairman and chief executive.

William E. Bendush, chief financial officer, said the new plant “does not take anything away from what we’re doing in Tustin. It represents additional jobs and additional capacity.”

Bendush said the new plant would employ more than 50 people.

Silicon Systems has 60 days to exercise its option to purchase the facility.