Strong domestic demand in China is pushing 8-inch foundry utilization to full capacity, prompting price hikes and expansion plans. Clients are securing advanced node capacity through strategic partnerships, while geopolitics reshapes supply chains.
AI and smartphone demand lift 2H foundry utilization; Semiconductor tariffs pending and low inventory spur rush orders. China's mature nodes tighten, prices stabilize.
The latest Foundry Newsletter reports that leading wafer foundries have stabilized capacity due to major customer orders. Capacity utilization in the second half is better than expected. Focus is on expanding capacity and adjusting equipment to address order shifts and geopolitical factors, with signs of price increases. Tight capacity and long-term supply arrangements will drive the market.
The global foundry landscape is stabilizing, with leading and regional players staying productive; pricing and localization drive growth.
TrendForce reports 2Q25 wafer foundry growth driven by subsidies and new product stocking; TSMC leads with strong AI and mobile demand; top 10 firms dominate; 3Q25 outlook remains positive with rising utilization and revenue.
In 2026, Taiwan’s major foundries increase utilization; PSMC grows with new partnerships, UMC stable, Vanguard benefits from premium capacity and new fab, while TSMC’s advanced nodes remain fully utilized driving revenue growth, marking moderate market expansion.
Driven by policy support and market demand, leading foundries improved capacity utilization and revenue growth, with new capacity expanding, and diversified platform development showing positive results.
In 2025, the electronics industry sees diverging trends: strong AI demand, weak consumer devices, early pull-in erases seasonality, and future growth slows.
This report analyzes TSMC, UMC, and PSMC's recent operations and industry outlook, focusing on new plant investments, capacity utilization, product mix, and future technology roadmaps, as well as memory strategies, advanced process deployment, and capital expenditure adjustments.
Samsung restarts US plant expansion driven by policy, but timeline and capacity growth remain uncertain; 2nm order progress depends on yield and client decisions, requiring further observation.
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