TSMC seeks approval to build new chip plant in Taiwan

TSMC has applied for approval to build a new semiconductor plant, the A14 fab, in the Central Taiwan Science Park, according to Taiwan’s National Science and Technology Council.

The facility will focus on manufacturing high-speed wafers using the company’s 1.4-nanometer process, which promises faster computing and improved power efficiency compared to its 2nm process set for production this year.

A report from Wccftech said construction could begin by the end of 2025, with mass production targeted for the second half of 2028.

TSMC has started recruiting staff, while Taichung officials said site preparations will be completed by the end of October to support the investment.

🔗 Source: Focus Taiwan

🧠 Food for thought

Implications, context, and why it matters.

TSMC’s multi-patterning could delay 1.4nm if yields lag

TSMC will skip High-NA EUV (extreme ultraviolet lithography tools with higher numerical aperture for finer resolution) for A14 (its planned 1.4-nanometer process) and lean on multi-patterning with Low-NA EUV, which uses multiple prints of one layer with different masks to reach smaller features, so it takes more time with lower early yields (the percentage of chips that meet specifications) 1.
The second-half 2028 production target looks tight, since the first A14 version will not use backside power delivery (routing power on the wafer’s rear to cut resistance and boost efficiency), so slips into 2029 are possible 2 1. Intel plans High-NA EUV with its 14A process (its roughly 1.4nm-class node) in 2027–2028 3 to reduce multi-patterning complexity, which could move leadership.

Vendors can target Central Taiwan Science Park’s $49 billion expansion

The NT$1.5 trillion (~$49 billion) plan includes 30 EUV lithography machines in 2027 4. Permits for three buildings came in August 1, with site work finishing by end of October.
Suppliers should watch the Central Taiwan Science Park Bureau’s tenders (public bids) 5 plus portals for utility upgrades and facility construction contracts through 2027.
Operational Technology (OT) cybersecurity vendors have prospects, with drone detection and alarm procurement at Zhongke Taichung Park (the Taichung campus of the Central Taiwan Science Park) 6. Security plus workforce contracts will land before the 2028 ramp, with 4,500 jobs expected and NT$485.7 billion in annual production value.