chinatimes
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October 4
- TSMC 2nm Wafer Prices Expected to Double➀ TSMC's 2nm technology development is progressing smoothly with plans for the new Taichung Hsinchu Science Park to start production in 2025; ➁ The price of the 2nm wafer is expected to be doubled compared to the 4/5nm, potentially exceeding $30,000, reflecting its sole supply situation and pricing power; ➂ The high investment in advanced process nodes, such as the over $4 billion for 3nm research and development, shows the importance of key supply chains; ➃ The cost of constructing a 3nm factory is estimated to be at least $15 to $20 billion; ➄ The development of advanced processes is a lengthy and resource-intensive process, often requiring 7 to 10 years, with the 2nm process having its path confirmed since 2016 but only recently becoming clear in terms of trial production timelines; ➅ The new process architecture involves substantial engineering support from equipment, software, and material industries; ➆ TSMC is following in the footsteps of the national mountain, overcoming many early difficulties and meeting the localization requirements of the supply chain; ➇ With the 2nm process expected to be released in 2025, supply chain companies are expected to see significant profit growth; ➈ M31's IP research has already entered the 2nm process platform supporting smartphones and high-performance computing, and Liwang is also developing 2nm technology in collaboration with leading wafer fabs; ➈ Material companies like Zhongsha and Shengyang Semiconductor are involved in diamond disks and recycled wafers for the 2nm process, with recycled wafers having a value approximately 4.6 times that of 28nm, offering significant commercial opportunities.
October 1
- UK Government Buys Out Semiconductor Factory to Secure Defense Supply Chain➀ The UK government has decided to invest £20 million in a gallium arsenide semiconductor factory in Durham County to prevent it from closing or falling into foreign hands; ➁ The factory, located in Newton Aycliffe, is the only facility in the UK capable of manufacturing gallium arsenide semiconductors and was previously owned by Coherent, an American supplier; ➂ The factory supplies critical components to the UK military, including radar power amplifiers for the Royal Air Force's Typhoon fighter jets; ➃ The government's intervention aims to maintain the defense supply chain, support employment in the North East, and protect key military technology.