Taiwan’s TSMC, the world’s largest foundry (semiconductor manufacturing), began mass production of semiconductors at its Kumamoto plant in Japan this month, as reported by the Nihon Keizai Shimbun (Nikkei) on the 27th.
The TSMC Kumamoto Phase 1 plant, which opened in February, has been conducting test productions until now.
TSMC noted, “The Phase 1 plant has completed all process certifications and commenced mass production as planned this month,” adding, “We aim to become a stable advanced semiconductor production base in Japan and contribute to the global semiconductor ecosystem system.”
Takashi Kimura, the governor of Kumamoto Prefecture, also said at a press conference that he received a report stating that the Phase 1 plant entered the mass production phase as scheduled this month.
The TSMC Kumamoto Phase 1 plant progressed rapidly through all processes in about three years, from the decision to build the factory in the fall of 2021 to mass production this month. Construction of the factory began in April 2022, and the opening ceremony was held in February this year.
At this plant, it can produce 55,000 wafers per month, based on 300 mm silicon wafers, for semiconductors with 12 to 16 nanometers (nm) and 22 to 28 nanometers, which are used in various products such as smartphones, automobiles, and industrial equipment. Chosun Biz