[News] TSMC May Fast-Track 1.4nm at Central Taiwan Science Park as 2nm Yields Reportedly Beat Expectations

TSMC has announced that its 2nm process has entered mass production on schedule this quarter, with momentum at the advanced-node level continuing to build. According to Economic Daily News, sources say that because its 2nm yields have exceeded expectations, the company’s 1.4nm advanced process fab in Central Taiwan Science Park could also see an accelerated rollout. The new fab is expected to complete risk production by the end of 2027, with volume production targeted for 2028.

As the report indicates, the fab began foundation piling work in early November. More recently, tenders for the Central Utility Plant (CUP) have been completed, and bidding for the main fab construction is expected to begin soon.

TSMC’s Central Taiwan Fab Moves to 1.4nm, 1nm Reportedly Possible

The report notes that the Central Taiwan Science Park Administration said TSMC confirmed during a land-lease briefing a shift from the originally planned 2nm process to a 1.4nm process or an even more advanced node. Industry sources cited by the report also say that 1nm process could potentially be deployed at the Central Taiwan Science Park fab earlier than expected.

TSMC plans to introduce its 2nm and 1.6nm processes at its Arizona fabs, while prioritizing 1.4nm production in Taiwan, the report indicates. As a result, once the Central Taiwan Science Park fab enters volume production, it is expected to become the world’s largest manufacturing base for AI and HPC chips.

The new Central Taiwan Science Park fab complex is planned to include four fab buildings and an office facility, with total investment estimated at around NT$1.5 trillion and initial annual revenue expected to exceed NT$500 billion, as the report highlights.

TSMC Accelerates Advanced Process Timelines in Arizona

The foundry giant has also been pushing ahead with advanced process manufacturing in the U.S. According to Economic Daily News, sources say that the second fab at TSMC’s Arizona site could reach 3nm volume production up to a year earlier than originally planned. The fab had been slated for mass production in 2028, but TSMC may accelerate the timeline to early 2027 or even sometime in 2026, using 3nm technology.

In addition, the report notes that the third Arizona fab could begin volume production of 2nm and A16 processes as early as around 2028. The progress of both fabs would be at least four quarters ahead of the company’s original targets.

Read more

• [News] TSMC Reportedly to Raise Sub-3nm Prices 3-10% in 2026, Plans Hikes Through 2029
• [News] TSMC’s Bold Pivot: Kumamoto Fab 2 Reportedly Leaps from 6nm to 2nm amid JASM Losses

(Photo credit: TSMC)