TSMC 1.4nm Advanced Chip Fab Begins Construction

According to reports, TSMC has officially kicked off its ambitious A14 (1.4nm) advanced process fab in Taiwan's Central Science Park (Zhongke). The company submitted its construction application on October 17, with the new plant expected to begin mass production in the second half of 2028. Initial investments are projected to reach a staggering $49 billion USD (around NT$1.5 trillion), creating 8,000–10,000 job opportunities.

The Central Science Park Authority confirmed that the Phase II expansion, including key flood control and water conservation facilities, has been completed and will be handed over to TSMC on October 20. TSMC has already finalized the foundation piling contracts, with construction slated to start on November 5. Subsequent project phases are progressing rapidly.

According to TSMC's recent technology forum, the 1.4nm process will be primarily produced at the Taichung F25 facility, which plans to include four production fabs. The first fab is expected to complete risk trial production by the end of 2027, with full-scale mass production slated for the second half of 2028. Early revenue projections for the new site could exceed NT$500 billion.

Industry insiders note that while TSMC is introducing advanced nodes like 2nm–1.6nm in its Arizona facility in the U.S., the 1.4nm process will be prioritized for Taiwan. Once all four Zhongke fabs are operational, the site will become the world's largest production hub for AI and high-performance computing chips.

Originally, TSMC's Phase I in Zhongke planned two 1.4nm fabs, with potential Phase II fabs moving toward A10 (1nm) processes. Current reports suggest all four Zhongke fabs will adopt the 1.4nm node, while 1nm production is likely to shift to the Shalun park in Southern Taiwan. Supporting this, Tainan Mayor Huang Wei-Che announced that approximately 531 hectares of the new "Shalun Eco Science Park" have been approved, earmarked for future 1nm semiconductor production.

The move comes amid global competition, with companies like SoftBank and NVIDIA investing in Intel to accelerate advanced chip processes, and Samsung actively pushing for 1.4nm mass production. Analysts suggest that TSMC's acceleration of its 1.4nm deployment is a strategic effort to maintain market leadership and technological exclusivity.