Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. submitted documents to begin construction on its 1.4-nanometer chip facility, marking the company’s largest single-site investment as competitors face mounting challenges in advanced chipmaking.
The chipmaker filed paperwork with the Central Taiwan Science Park administration on Thursday to start work on a NT$1.5 trillion ($49 billion) complex in Taichung. TSMC plans four fabrication plants at the site, with the first targeting trial production by late 2027 and full manufacturing by the second half of 2028, according to the filing.
The project will employ between 8,000 and 10,000 workers and generate estimated annual revenue exceeding NT$500 billion ($16 billion). Construction on foundation work begins November 5 following completion of water management infrastructure.
TSMC appears to be accelerating its 1.4nm roadmap in response to shifting competitive dynamics. The company previously earmarked two of the four Taichung facilities for 1.4nm production, reserving the remainder for one-nanometer chips. Industry sources now indicate all four may manufacture 1.4nm processors, with the more advanced node potentially relocating to a separate site in Tainan.
The timing coincides with challenges facing TSMC’s rivals. Samsung Electronics has pushed back its 1.4nm timeline to 2029 from an initial 2027 target as it focuses on improving yields at existing nodes. Intel, meanwhile, secured $7 billion in combined investments from SoftBank and Nvidia this year as it works to stabilize its struggling foundry operations.
TSMC reserves its most cutting-edge manufacturing for Taiwan, deploying 2nm and 1.6nm processes at its Arizona facilities.
