2024-04-26 03:16:11
TSMC “We will not use ASML next-generation equipment”
Samsung-Intel interim roadmap unveiled for the first time
Intensifying competition for foundry process leadership
Taiwan’s TSMC, the world’s largest foundry (semiconductor consignment production) company, announced that it will begin semiconductor production through the 1.6nm (nanometer, 1nm is 1 billionth of a meter) process from the second half of 2026 (July to December). While first place TSMC and second place Samsung Electronics both announced plans for a 2-nano process in 2025 and a 1.4-nano process in 2027, they surprisingly released an additional interim roadmap.
TSMC unveiled its 1.6-nano front-end process technology ‘A16’ at a technology conference held in Santa Clara, California, USA on the 24th (local time). According to Reuters, TSMC Senior Vice President Kevin Chang said on this day, “The reason we succeeded in developing A16 technology faster than expected is thanks to the demand for artificial intelligence (AI) semiconductors.” He added, “The process involves the next-generation high-NA extreme ultraviolet ray (UV) launched by ASML, a Dutch semiconductor equipment company. “EUV) exposure equipment is not required,” he explained. This means that we will respond to increasing market demand by producing using existing equipment and achieving price competitiveness.
Currently, there are only two companies in the world that have succeeded in mass producing microprocesses of 5 nanometers or less, Samsung Electronics and TSMC. Both companies are currently mass producing 3-nano process products. Samsung Electronics has the same 2-nano and 1.4-nano roadmap as TSMC, but there has been no announcement related to 1.6-nano. Intel, a latecomer that announced its entry into the foundry business in 2021, has declared that it will release 2-nano process products by the first half of this year (January to June) and 1.8-nano process products by the end of this year.
In this situation, analysis suggests that TSMC’s announcement of its intermediate process roadmap is aimed at its competitors. As a leader, we will not lose control of the cutting-edge market. A semiconductor industry official said, “TSMC’s additional announcement of the intermediate process roadmap, which has already announced the 2-nano and 1.4-nano roadmaps, seems close to strategic marketing. “Competitors will also be able to announce intermediate process steps in the future depending on customer demand,” he said.
Competition over foundry fleet process leadership is expected to become more intense. According to market research firm Trend Force, TSMC accounted for 61.2% of the foundry market share in the fourth quarter of last year, and Samsung Electronics accounted for 11.3%. Chaser Intel remains outside the top 10. However, Intel announced investment in a new foundry plant worth $20 billion (about 27.5 trillion won) in Arizona, USA in 2021, followed by investments in Ohio ($20 billion), Ireland (12 billion euros), and Ireland (12 billion euros) in 2022. It is expanding its stride by successively announcing investment plans for major countries, including Magdeburg, Germany (17 billion euros).
Reporter Kwak Do-young now@donga.com
Reporter Lee Ji-yoon asap@donga.com
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2024-04-26 03:16:11