Apple, AMD & Nvidia Chip Maker TSMC May Set Up Shop in Singapore

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (TSMC), the chip maker supplying the likes of Apple, AMD and Nvidia, could set up shop in Singapore.

Credit: Wix

According to a report by the Wall Street Journal (via The Straits Times), the semiconductor manufacturer is considering building a multibillion-dollar plant in the island nation, with negotiations said to be already under way with the Economic Development Board (EDB). The report, citing anonymous sources, added that the Singapore Government could also help fund the construction of the plant. However, nothing is final as of yet, meaning plans could still change.

When asked about the report, TSMC told The Straits Times on Friday, 20 May, "TSMC does not rule out any possibility; however, the company does not have a concrete plan at this time to build a fab in Singapore".

The chip giant's comment seemingly backs up the report's claim that details are still up in the air. Additionally, the report didn't give a specific location or budget estimate for the plant. But TSMC previously said that its capital this financial year is between US$40 billion (S$55 billion) to US$44 billion, and the factory could be part of this.

The potential Singapore plant could manufacture between 7-nanometre (nm) and 28nm processors. These are the same chips used in smartphones and smart cars, among other electronic devices and gadgets. If the factory is eventually built, it could lighten the load of TSMC's other plants, including its main one in Taiwan and its Washington plant. The company is also building a Japanese plant in partnership with Sony and another US$12 billion plant in Arizona. The world is still far from resolving its silicon shortage issues, so a new plant could possibly help.

TSMC is one of the world's largest semiconductor companies. Up to a quarter of its revenue comes from its deal with Apple.

The California-based Globalfoundries, another major player in the semiconductor industry, announced last year that it's investing US$4 billion to build a plant in Singapore. The investment is in partnership with EDB, with some also coming from customers.

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• TSMC, the chip maker supplying the likes of Apple, AMD and Nvidia, could set up shop in Singapore.

• The semiconductor manufacturer is considering building a multibillion-dollar plant in the island nation, with negotiations said to be already under way with EDB.

• The Singapore Government could also help fund the construction of the plant.

• However, nothing is final as of yet, meaning plans could still change.