TSMC to build 2nm wafer plant in Hsinchu

Taipei, Sept. 23 (CNA) Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC), the world's largest contract chipmaker, said Wednesday it will build a sophisticated 2 nanometer wafer plant in Hsinchu.

On the sidelines of a technology forum held at SEMICON Taiwan 2020, TSMC Chairman Mark Liu (劉德音) said the choice of Hsinchu as the location for the 2nm process was aimed at balancing the company's production in northern, central and southern Taiwan.

Liu told reporters that if a new 2nm wafer plant in Hsinchu cannot meet demand, TSMC will add production lines in Taichung, but the company also plans to expand capacity in northern Taiwan even after the 2 nm process plant is built.

He did not disclose the timetable for the 2nm wafer plant.

Currently, Hsinchu serves as a research and development hub for TSMC, while chip production using the 7nm process is based in Taichung and production using the 5nm process is based in Tainan.

In the second half of 2022, TSMC is scheduled to start mass production of the 3nm process, also in Tainan.

Those projects mean that in 2024 and 2025, TSMC will produce 60-70 percent of its chips in southern Taiwan, Liu said, so the company decided to set its sights on balancing its production around Taiwan in the future.

Liu was one of the speakers in a technology forum held in SEMICON Taiwan 2020, which opened Wednesday and will run through Friday.

This year's show will feature 15 theme pavilions and 19 international seminars, including a smart manufacturing pavilion and a strategic materials conference, according to SEMI, the association representing the global semiconductor sector.

Premier Su Tseng-chang (蘇貞昌) and Brent Christensen, director of the American Institute in Taiwan's Taipei office, appeared at the event's opening ceremony.

Christensen said the United States and Taiwan should continue to push for new semiconductor technology development, and he encouraged Taiwanese manufacturers to work with their U.S. counterparts and team up with American universities to set up R&D groups.

According to SEMI, the three-day SEMICON Taiwan 2020, featuring 500 exhibitors, is expected to attract 45,000 professional visitors.