News-in-brief: August-September 2023

Projects

TSMC, Bosch, Infineon Technologies and NXP Semiconductors announced they plan to jointly invest in European Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (ESMC) in Dresden, Germany. The joint venture will be 70% owned by TSMC, with the other three companies each holding a 10% stake. The 300mm fab will support automotive and industrial sectors at 28/22nm and 16/12nm nodes. The exact investment figure is yet to be confirmed. Additionally, TSMC signed an agreement with Germany’s Saxony regional government and Dresden University of Technology to launch a program to nurture talent for the semiconductor industry.

In other TSMC news, the expected start date for the operation of the TSMC Phoenix plant has been pushed back until 2025. The original intended opening date was late 2024, but the company cites a shortage of technical workers in the US with expertise to operate the fab. A second TSMC Arizona factory is expected to be operational by 2026.

Analog Devices has announced it will invest more than $1 billion to expand its semiconductor wafer fab in Beaverton, Oregon. The investment will expand cleanroom space and double the manufacturing of products running on the 180nm technology node and above. Analog Devices also announced that more than 10% of its total investment is for new, state-of-the-art fab tools which can increase efficiencies and utilize chemistries in a more environmentally friendly way. The facility is targeting reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 75% and water usage per production unit by 50% despite doubling production.

Company News

Ceramic desalination membrane manufacturer Membrion announced the completion of a funding round of $5.5 million, anchored by Samsung Venture Investment Corporation and Lam Capital. This brings the total funding round to $12.5 million, which was instigated in Q1 2023 by a $7 million investment led by PureTerra.

Bosch acquired the TSI Semiconductors fab in Roseville, California. It plans to invest $1.5 billion in retooling the fab to make silicon carbide chips but is seeking government financial support for completing the expansion.

Intel has cancelled its planned $4.5 billion acquisition of Tower Semiconductor and will pay a $353 million termination fee.

Sustainability News

TSMC announced an acceleration of its timeline for its renewable energy target. Instead of targeting 2050 for 100% renewable energy consumption, it now aims to reach this goal by 2040. Additionally, its 2030 goal for renewable energy consumption has been raised to 60% from 50%.

Policy and Regulations

The European Chips Act officially became law as of September 2023. The EU Chips Act aims to double the region’s manufacturing share to 20% by 2030 by investing $49 billion in private and public funding through to 2030.