TSMC studying 2nd fab in Kumamoto, focusing on mature technologies

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Taipei, June 6 (CNA) Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) is studying the feasibility of building a second wafer fab in Japan that would focus on mature semiconductor technologies, the world's largest contract chipmaker said Tuesday.

focustaiwan.tw/, Jun. 06, 2023 – 

At TSMC's annual shareholders meeting, TSMC Chairman Mark Liu (劉德音) said the Japanese government has urged TSMC to expand its investment in Japan, and it is assessing a plan to build a second plant in Kumamoto.

Even if it were to build a new plant there, however, TSMC would not introduce advanced processes to the Japanese production site, Liu said.

TSMC is building its first wafer fab in Kumamoto through a joint venture, known as Japan Advanced Semiconductor Manufacturing (JASM), with mass production scheduled for 2024.

Its production will use the more mature 12nm, 16nm and 22nm IC production processes, and 28nm specialty technologies.

TSMC is also building two wafer fabs in the United States, but they are focused on more advanced processes.

One will start mass production in 2024, using its advanced 4nm process, and the other will begin commercial production in 2026, using the more sophisticated 3nm process, which is the most advanced technology TSMC is currently using to mass produce chips in Taiwan.

The company is also developing the next generation 2nm process that is slated to begin commercial production in 2025 in Taiwan.

TSMC is thinking of expanding its mature technology capacity in Kumamoto because many of its Japanese clients have told the company that its output of mature-process chips, even after the first Kumamoto plant comes online, cannot meet their requirements, Liu said.

The chipmaker announced in November 2021 that it would invest up to US$2.12 billion in the Kumamoto fab by setting up a TSMC-majority-owned subsidiary to provide foundry services and have Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corp. (SSS) take a stake of up to 20 percent in the new company.

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