In spite of the ongoing chip shortage, TSMC is currently looking at avenues to help alleviate its pressure within the industry. To that end, reports are now saying that the Taiwanese foundry is looking at expanding its operations, specifically within the EU.
As to which country would serve as a potential candidate, the company is said to be eyeing Germany as an option. However, that decision is not yet finalised, as the Taiwan-based company still has to take several factors – the higher manufacturing and operating costs in Europe being some of them – into consideration.
TSMC’s plans to open a foundry within Europe stems from an earlier announcement in April, where it says that it plans on spending no less than US$100 billion (~RM423 billion) in order to boost chipmaking production. Not only that the semiconductor maker also began construction of its factory in Arizona in June, months after it received its initial investment of US$3.5 billion (~RM14.8 billion).
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Another reason for its European expansion is also due to the fact that the EU itself has shown a strong interest in wanting to boost its manufacturing capacity, particularly with 7nm, 5nm, 3nm, and 2nm process nodes.
