TSMC Expands 2nm Process at Kaohsiung Facility

TSMC is advancing its 2nm semiconductor process at its Kaohsiung facility, with plans to expand further. The company intends to build Phase 3 (P3) of the plant on the site of the former CPC Kaohsiung Refinery. In addition, Phase 4 (P4) and Phase 5 (P5) are undergoing environmental assessments, with efforts to expand the development area. The expansion will continue on the eastern side of P3 to maintain the momentum of advanced process technology. The P3 plant is expected to be completed by 2026, with P4 and P5 anticipated to follow in 2027.

Industry experts are optimistic about TSMC's decision to increase investment in advanced manufacturing processes in Kaohsiung, signaling a strong demand for customer orders and the need for additional capacity to support future operations.

TSMC is simultaneously developing 2nm technology at its Hsinchu Baoshan and Kaohsiung facilities, with mass production scheduled for 2025. The Kaohsiung plant, TSMC's first 12-inch wafer fab in the region, was initially intended for mature process technologies. However, in August 2023, the board approved plans to expand to 2nm. Equipment installation, originally scheduled for the third quarter of 2025, was expedited and began in late November 2023—six months ahead of schedule.

The Kaohsiung expansion is progressing smoothly, with P3 planned on the former CPC refinery land. Given the rapidly evolving global semiconductor market and international competition, TSMC is moving forward with additional plant developments. The company is working to secure a larger development area for P4 and P5, increasing the total land area to approximately 60 hectares, including the original P3 site. An environmental impact assessment for the expansion will be presented at a public meeting on December 26, 2024.

Following the completion of Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the Kaohsiung plant, TSMC is now launching the P3 expansion. Due to the pressing need for additional land, the company plans to continue developing P4 and P5 next to the P3 facility, creating a clustered, high-capacity manufacturing hub.