The 1.4nm process was previously reported to be progressing smoothly, with TSMC seemingly facing zero obstacles . However, the semiconductor giant wasn’t experiencing technical difficulties, but its plans to secure the necessary real estate were stalled due to protests from landowners. Fortunately, this little distraction is no longer a problem, as the latest report states that TSMC has secured the land for two 1.4nm plants and one panel-level advanced packaging facility.
The Phase 3 expansion of the Longtan Science Park faced a truckload of resistance, forcing TSMC to pull the plug on the project back in October 2023 due to ongoing protests. Fortunately, Liberty Times Net reports that after landowners began to see the error of their ways and witnessed the significant economic spillover effects delivered by alternative production sites, the residents changed their minds. According to the record, if TSMC wasn’t allowed to utilize this land, its sole purpose would only be growing tea.
Around 88 percent of the land required by TSMC to jumpstart 1.4nm production belonged to the local populace. With this obstacle out of the way, the Taiwanese semiconductor behemoth has now set its sights on the expansion zone. The zone, which was previously reported to be reduced to 89.63 hectares, has now increased back to 104.19 hectares. In addition to the 1.4nm process, TSMC’s work continues on the 2nm node, with the company said to reach a major milestone by hitting 100,000 monthly wafers by the end of 2026.
However, TSMC’s 1.4nm technology is the firm’s most ambitious undertaking, with a previous estimate mentioning that a mammoth initial investment of $49 billion will be utilized for the construction of four plants solely for sub-2nm wafer production. Apple, one of TSMC’s most lucrative customers, is expected to leverage these facilities to introduce its first 1.4nm SoCs, the A22 Pro , in 2028 for the next-generation iPhone lineup.
News Source: Liberty Times Net
Follow Wccftech on Google to get more of our news coverage in your feeds.