TSMC, the world's largest semiconductor manufacturer, is preparing to build its first 1.4-nanometer chip factory. According to Economic News Daily, construction will begin ahead of schedule in October 2025. The initial investment could reach 1.5 trillion Taiwanese dollars, equivalent to about $49 billion.
The new facility, called "Fab 25," will be located in Taiwan's Central Science Park near Taichung City. Four production lines are planned to be built on the site. The first plant is scheduled to begin trial production by the end of 2027. Full-scale launch is expected in the second half of 2028.
TSMC has already informed its suppliers about the need to accelerate equipment deliveries to launch the new process. The 1.4nm technology is expected to provide a 15% performance increase and a 30% reduction in power consumption compared to previous generations.
The company is also already planning a transition to even more advanced 1nm lithography, but the timing of its implementation is not yet specified.
According to WccfTech, the cost of producing wafers using the new process will be significantly higher: the estimated price of one 1.4-nm wafer will be about $45,000, which significantly exceeds the current cost of 2-nm wafers — $30,000.