In the city of Phoenix, TSMC Arizona will represent the world’s most advanced semiconductor technology in the United States.

[Daniel Nenni]

TSMC is a critical enabler of today’s technology industry, having fundamentally reshaped the semiconductor landscape in 1987. Through the vision and leadership of its founder Dr. Morris Chang, TSMC pioneered the pure-play semiconductor foundry business model. TSMC has since remained one of the world’s largest dedicated foundries with fabrication facilities (“fabs”) and subsidiaries spanning Asia, Europe and North America.

Today, TSMC’s semiconductors are the digital engines inside more than 12,000 electronic products created by over 500 companies. TSMC’s technology can be found in devices such as internet-connected home appliances, smart phones and PCs, EVs and autonomous vehicles, cloud data centers, airlines and space-stations and AI-powered applications. The world’s biggest brands and savviest startups in technology rely on TSMC to unleash their innovations to the world.

About TSMC Arizona​

In a historic announcement, in May 2020, TSMC shared its plans to invest $12B in Phoenix, Arizona – building an advanced semiconductor manufacturing fabrication. In December 2022, the company announced its commitment to build a second fab in Phoenix, increasing its total investment to $40B. Then in April 2024, the U.S. Department of Commerce and TSMC Arizona announced up to US$6.6 billion in direct funding under the CHIPS and Science Act, fulfilling a goal to bring the most advanced chip manufacturing in the world to the United States. TSMC also announced plans to build a third fab at TSMC Arizona. This third fab brings TSMC’s total U.S. investment to more than $65 billion, making this the largest foreign direct investment (FDI) in Arizona history, and the largest FDI in a greenfield project in U.S. history. Now with a third fab, TSMC Arizona will create approximately 6,000 jobs – and more than 20,000 accumulated unique construction jobs, as well as tens of thousands of indirect supplier jobs.

As one of TSMC’s advanced fabs, TSMC Arizona will play a vital role in the U.S. government’s goal to onshore semiconductor manufacturing and strengthen national economic competitiveness. TSMC Arizona’s first fab will operate it’s leading-edge semiconductor process technology (N4 process), starting. production in the first half of 2025. The second fab will utilize its leading edge N3 and N2 process technology and be operational in 2028. The recently announced third fab will manufacture chips using 2nm or even more advanced process technology, with production starting by the end of the decade. TSMC Arizona will be able to produce semiconductor wafers for its valued customers using the most advanced process capabilities in the country.

By increasing our capacity for leading-edge technology in Arizona, we will enable our customers to unleash innovations across mobile, AI and HPC applications for all industry sectors. Watch this video to understand more about the exciting innovations we will make possible in Phoenix, Arizona.

Project Timeline​

TSMC Arizona’sEconomic Impact

The rising demand for chips worldwide has created an opportunity for the state of Arizona to become both a global and U.S. hub for semiconductor manufacturing. This is leading to incredible economic growth throughout the region, and also raising the greater Phoenix area’s innovation prominence. When complete, TSMC Arizona will be the most leading-edge semiconductor manufacturing technology operating in the United States.

Semiconductor manufacturing is also critical to the state as a job creator. TSMC Arizona’s $65B investment in three fabs will create 6000 high-tech, high-wage jobs, and the company’s suppliers will bring tens of thousands more employment opportunities in construction and supplier jobs. Our Arizona project is supported by a construction workforce of nearly 10,000 on this project daily. The company’s recent agreement with the Arizona Building and Construction Trades Council has a focus on building a construction workforce that can support TSMC Arizona in the near and long term with employment opportunities.

According to the Greater Phoenix Economic Council (GPEC), there are more than 140,000 jobs in occupations relevant to semiconductors in the metropolitan area and it is growing rapidly. An analysis by GPEC (April 2024) on the impact of TSMC Arizona notes that over a thirteen-year period, TSMC’s investment in Phoenix will:

+ Learn more

Sustainability at TSMC Arizona
TSMC is deeply aware that climate change has a severe impact on the environment and humanity. TSMC practices green manufacturing, and our overarching objective is to be seen as a global standard of eco-friendly corporations. Green management is integrated into daily operations as we strive to carry out energy efficient approaches, water conservation, waste management, and air pollution control through innovative practices and technologies.

The design and construction of TSMC Arizona has been approached with that same global vision. That spans energy management, water conservation, waste management and air pollution control.

The TSMC Arizona project development and application will go through the National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA) process to ensure appropriate environmental protections. Multiple federal and state agencies will review the project, surveys, and environmental and social analysis during the NEPA processes to create a comprehensive environmental review. TSMC Arizona has also conducted biological studies to minimize and mitigate any potential impacts and maintain the integrity of the land.

+ Goals and Objectives

Search ArizonaJob Opportunities
On over 1,100 acres in Phoenix, TSMC Arizona is the foundation for innovation environment in the U.S. This Phoenix, Arizona semiconductor fabrication facility will be the most-advanced on U.S soil with a more than 20,000 chip wafer-per-month production capacity. As one of the most important semiconductor pioneers, TSMC is relied on by the world’s best-known brands and savviest start-ups to bring their designs to life.
We are looking for the best and brightest engineers, technicians and business professionals.
BUILD a rewarding career backed by competitive salary and benefits.
WORK alongside smart peers, from diverse backgrounds, in a thriving industry.
APPLY and refine your skills on the most leading-edge tools and technology.
PURSUE ongoing learning and development opportunities.
BE A PART OF a company with heart and purpose, deeply committed to sustainability.

+ Learn more

https://www.tsmc.com/static/abouttsmcaz/index.htm

 

[OneEng]

Sounds very promising. I wonder about the water supply issues in that area though.

 

[siliconbruh999]

I guess after 6-9 months 18A will be the most advanced in the US at least

 

[BruceA]

What is in Node name? I thought in Oregon Intel was running Intel4 and Intel3 for production before transfer overseas, seems someone forgot about that

 

[siliconbruh999]

What is in Node name? I thought in Oregon Intel was running Intel4 and Intel3 for production before transfer overseas, seems someone forgot about that

As for Node names it was TSMC and Samsung that created this marketing PR cause their 14nm were worse than Intel 14nm.

US always has the most leading nodes in semi history for like 5 decades( Seems Like TSMC don't want to mention that and Media as well) until recently they lost it cause Intel fell behind as for Intel 4/3 only dev work was in Oregon before their transfer I don't think they have any I4/3 capacity left at Oregon

 

[MKWVentures]

Sounds very promising. I wonder about the water supply issues in that area though.

Arizona uses less water than 10-20 years ago. Water use is based on Farmer ranchers, not semi plants and pools. Plus 80%+ of water at a plant is returned.

 

[Xebec]

As for Node names it was TSMC and Samsung that created this marketing PR cause their 14nm were worse than Intel 14nm.

US always has the most leading nodes in semi history for like 5 decades( Seems Like TSMC don't want to mention that and Media as well) until recently they lost it cause Intel fell behind as for Intel 4/3 only dev work was in Oregon before their transfer I don't think they have any I4/3 capacity left at Oregon

A source to back this up: https://www.eetimes.com/silicon-lacks-clear-metrics/?_ga

 

[hist78]

Sounds very promising. I wonder about the water supply issues in that area though.

The City of Phoenix has the enough water capacity and enough water rights through multiple sources to support TSMC's operations. Once TSMC's water recycling plant is in place, TSMC's demand of city water will be reduced for the same fab.

 

[BruceA]

As for Node names it was TSMC and Samsung that created this marketing PR cause their 14nm were worse than Intel 14nm.

US always has the most leading nodes in semi history for like 5 decades( Seems Like TSMC don't want to mention that and Media as well) until recently they lost it cause Intel fell behind as for Intel 4/3 only dev work was in Oregon before their transfer I don't think they have any I4/3 capacity left at Oregon

Production also happened in Oregon before transfer. Was always part of CE that it starts and ramps in Oregon. It’s a fallacy to claim TSMC is producing the most advanced technology on US soil. TSMC starts production in Hsinchu before transfer as well

 

[BruceA]

View attachment 2626
A source to back this up: https://www.eetimes.com/silicon-lacks-clear-metrics/?_ga

This naming is why Intel renamed their nodes too, LOL

 

[osnium]

Production also happened in Oregon before transfer. Was always part of CE that it starts and ramps in Oregon. It’s a fallacy to claim TSMC is producing the most advanced technology on US soil. TSMC starts production in Hsinchu before transfer as well

Unless TSMC N4 is more advanced than Intel 3

 

[hist78]

Plans for new development near TSMC plant

 

[OneEng]

The City of Phoenix has the enough water capacity and enough water rights through multiple sources to support TSMC's operations. Once TSMC's water recycling plant is in place, TSMC's demand of city water will be reduced for the same fab.

I understand that fabs use lots of water and that Phoenix has been lowering the building permit allotment to prevent running out of water due to their ongoing 15 year drought. Of course, this could all go away quickly with a year or two of heavy rain (see the hoover dam reservoir lately?).

 

[Artificer60]

Unless TSMC N4 is more advanced than Intel 3

It also depends on what 1st half 2025 actually turns out to be. If Intel is going to launch Panther lake by the end of 2025 as they have indicated they will have to start production no later than June of 2025 to build up supply. So Intel 18A will be running production by June in Oregon, and possibly sooner. So if TSMC N4 is more advanced than Intel 3 and they start production before June then they might be able to make that claim for a few months. If 18A isn't more advanced than TSMC N4 then Intel needs to just close their doors now.

N3 and N2 in 2028 will not be leading edge nodes at that point in time as long as Intel remains solvent. So at best the claim of leading process technology being manufactured in the US by TSMC is a marketing ploy with no real substance.

 

[siliconbruh999]

It also depends on what 1st half 2025 actually turns out to be. If Intel is going to launch Panther lake by the end of 2025 as they have indicated they will have to start production no later than June of 2025 to build up supply. So Intel 18A will be running production by June in Oregon, and possibly sooner. So if TSMC N4 is more advanced than Intel 3 and they start production before June then they might be able to make that claim for a few months. If 18A isn't more advanced than TSMC N4 then Intel needs to just close their doors now.

Well according to TSMC N3P is on par with 18A and N3P is clearly superior to N4 so the fact that 18A is not more advanced than is taken care by TSMC themselves the only thing is timing which is crucial

N3 and N2 in 2028 will not be leading edge nodes at that point in time as long as Intel remains solvent. So at best the claim of leading process technology being manufactured in the US by TSMC is a marketing ploy with no real substance.

Definitely

 

[hskuo]

I guess after 6-9 months 18A will be the most advanced in the US at least

Let's see what will happen then.

 

[IMakeICsAtHomeJK]

TSMC [ . . . ], having fundamentally reshaped the semiconductor landscape in 1987.

1987 is a far from 2025 as it is from 1949. Seeing as how the semiconductor industry "roots can be traced to the invention of the transistor by Shockley, Brattain, and Bardeen at Bell Labs in 1948." (et al, Wikipedia) [0], TSMC has been innovating for roughly half the industry's lifetime. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Corporation appears firmly, even permanently, entrenched as a market player when compared against its competition.

[ . . . ] TSMC Arizona will play a vital role in the U.S. government’s goal to onshore semiconductor manufacturing [ . . . ]

This goal . . . would seem . . . opposed to the ROC's interests . . . ["Onshoring semiconductor manufacturing"]—any manufacturing really—requires vast changes to 'C-suite' (all manner of 'Chief Officer') mentality: (i) their mindset around labor costs; (ii) their conceptions of timelines regarding returns on investment; (iii) their preconceptions toward government involvement; and so on. (This C-suite mentality is actually only a reflection of shareholders' interests: greatest return-on-investment in the shortest amount of time.) To only point out executive deficiency within the private sector would be dishonest; the United States of America's government has only paid lip-service to reversing the trend of diminishing domestic industrial manufacturing. For the USA to be considered credible in its intentions to 'de-risk' from foreign entanglement, the level of commitment should approximate (not in absolute financial provisions, but symbolic significance; exemplia gratia, a 'blank check'): "In 1986, Li Kwoh-ting, representing the Executive Yuan, invited Morris Chang to serve as the president of the Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) and offered him a blank check to build Taiwan's chip industry." (et al, Wikipedia)

Li Kwoh-ting/ 李國鼎 / 李国鼎 :

(Outlookxp, 2016)

Spoiler: File:李國鼎故居的李國鼎塑像.jpg (2,248 × 3,195 pixels)

(Outlookxp, 2016)

US always has the most leading nodes in semi history for like 5 decades [ . . . ]

Totally siliconbruh999. Hard to fathom how semiconductor fabrication got swept up amongst all the offshoring and/or outsourcing. Easy to understand? Yes. Imagine the answers in boardrooms to the question of: "Have our tactics aimed at short-term profit-margin improvements succeeded to secure the viability of our long-term strategy?"

If 18A isn't more advanced than TSMC N4 then Intel needs to just close their doors now.

Quote above by Artificer60 sums up the situation nicely. Things have changed so much and become so dire for Intel Corp. Must be such a head scratcher for an outside observer spectating the decline over decades. Like BruceA mentions, "This naming is why Intel renamed their nodes too, LOL", Intel is feeling the pressure. Xebec's EETimes source dated 2016 seems so relevant nine years later: "With the recent disclosure of its 10 and 7nm plans, 'TSMC has proven not only that they have their mojo back [after initially struggling with 28 and 16nm nodes], but that they also have a faster cadence than anyone,' [G. Dan Hutcheson] added." (Merritt) The phrase "faster cadence" is striking given Artificer60 conditions a statement on "Intel [remaining] solvent" a near decade later.
The author's comment on his own article "Silicon Lacks Clear Metrics" from EETimes is an interesting fossil: "So someone on Twitter asked me what's an intelligent way to compare TSMC and Intel processes. Tongue in cheek, I said there is none and pointed him to this story." (Merritt, 2016)
0: Bardeen, 1952; "Oscillation Generator" [PDF]