Chipmaker Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Ltd. (TSMC) began mass production in Taiwan of the most advanced chips on Thursday. The company’s Chairman stated that it will continue expanding its capacity on the island.
As the long-awaited mass production for chips using 3-nanometer technology is underway, attention turns to the investment plans of the largest contract chipmaker in both domestic and international markets. TSMC is a major manufacturer of chips that are used in advanced technology, from smartphones to fighter jets.
“TSMC continues to be a leader in technology, while also investing heavily in Taiwan. We will continue to invest in Taiwan and prosper with our environment,” Mark Liu, Chairman of TSMC told a ceremony commemorating the expansion and production in Tainan.
Liu stated that the 3-nanometer chip is in high demand because of new technology, such as 5G and high-performance computing products. He didn’t elaborate.
Earlier in the month, TSMC announced that it will more than triple its investment at Arizona’s new plant, to $40 billion. This is one of the biggest foreign investments made by the U.S. government.
Taiwanese firm, Apple Inc. (AAPL.O), and Nvidia Corp. (NVDA.O) are its main clients. It is currently building a chip plant in Japan and said that it was still reviewing a possible expansion to Germany.
Liu stated that the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturers Council’s (TSMC) foreign investments would not undermine Taiwan’s position as a leader in the field of semiconductors. This was in apparent reply to concerns that the production showed that TSMC is “taking concrete actions to develop advanced technology in Taiwan”
Taiwan’s government dismissed fears about Taiwan leaving the chip industry in a negative mood, stating that Taiwan is still a leading semiconductor producer and maker of the best chips.
Liu stated that mass production had been successful with high yields. He also said that new 3-nanometre technology could create products worth $1.5 trillion in five years.
TSMC stated that it is building factories to produce the 2nd generation of 2-nanometre chips. These were to be made in Taiwan’s northern and central regions.
TSMC repeatedly stated that Taiwan will continue to manufacture the majority of its products.
