[News] TSMC Kaohsiung Fab Hits 2nm Trial Production Ahead of Schedule, A14 Reportedly Under Evaluation

According to Economic Daily News, the Kaohsiung City Government announced on the 6th that TSMC’s Kaohsiung F22 has successfully completed trial production of its first batch of 12-inch 2-nanometer wafers. The report notes that this indicates the company’s 2nm project in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, is progressing ahead of schedule, with the plant’s initial annual output value estimated to exceed NT$150 billion (around US$4.7 billion). The report adds that the company also plans to expand the site in Kaohsiung’s Nanzih district to five fabs.

Commercial Times further notes, citing industry sources, that Kaohsiung is poised to become a key hub for 2nm production. All five phases (Phase 1–5) of the planned F22 site are reportedly designated for the 2nm family, including the A16 process featuring backside power delivery (BSPDN) to be introduced in 2026. In addition, Commercial Times also indicates that the company is reportedly evaluating the addition of a sixth phase (P6) to support the more advanced A14 (1.4nm) process.

TSMC Expands 2nm and A14 Production Footprint Across Taiwan

As Commercial Times highlights, mass production of TSMC’s A14 process is planned for 2028, with P3 and P4 of Hsinchu Baoshan’s Fab 20 taking the lead in development. The main production base will be Taichung’s Fab 25, which will comprise four fabs slated to begin construction by the end of this year and enter production in the second half of 2028. The report adds that if Kaohsiung’s sixth fab also adopts the A14 process, it would further enhance capacity flexibility and underscore the strong market demand for AI and high-performance computing.

Kaohsiung Reportedly Outpaces Arizona in TSMC’s 2nm Production Timeline

Meanwhile, as noted by Commercial Times, TSMC’s Arizona plant is expected to introduce 2nm/A16 production in its P3 and P4. The report, citing industry sources, indicates that although progress is accelerating, P3 in Arizona is unlikely to begin cleanroom and utility construction until mid- to late-2026, making large-scale 2nm production in the U.S. before 2028 difficult. In contrast, Commercial Times points out that construction in Kaohsiung is reportedly ahead of schedule, positioning the site as a potential global hub for TSMC’s sub-2-nanometer production.

TSMC’s Kaohsiung campus is the largest semiconductor investment in southern Taiwan. According to Commercial Times, P1 is set to begin 2nm mass production by the end of this year. P2 completed equipment move-in in August and is now undergoing installation and calibration, with mass production slated for the second quarter of next year. P3 received construction approval in October last year, while P4 and P5 were approved for construction in July this year. As noted by Liberty Times, all five fabs (P1–P5) are expected to be operational by the fourth quarter of 2027, forming a world-leading 2nm cluster advancing faster than anticipated.

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(Photo credit: TSMC)