Reports: Europe wants Samsung and TSMC to enter fab project
The political goal is to limit Europe’s dependence on other countries for the ICs needed to make such things as 5G wireless systems, connected cars, high-performance computing and more.
Both TSMC and Samsung could be involved in the European project but nothing has been decided, a French Ministry official is reported saying by the Taipei Times.
That fab could be newly built or a redevelopment of an existing wafer fab according to unnamed sources referenced by Taipei Times. The sources added that no final decision has been taken and the time frame of the project is still to be determined.
In an opinion piece Bloomberg described the plan as misplaced calling the project a plan to build $30 billion white elephant. It said that Europe does not generate enough demand for leading-edge ICs to justify a wafer fab. TSMC has said it has no plans to make chips in Europe but has not ruled it out (see TSMC has no “concrete” plans to make chips in Europe).
That fab could be newly built or a redevelopment of an existing wafer fab according to unnamed sources referenced by Taipei Times. The sources added that no final decision has been taken and the time frame of the project is still to be determined.
The ambition for Europe to re-engage with the leading-edge in chipmaking is in line with a joint-declaration signed by politicians from 17 European countries. They launched an initiative in December 2020 (see Europe will try to rebuild semiconductor capability using pandemic recovery funds).
Next: Who moved our chips
Europe’s interest in semiconductor production has in part been stimulated by a supply chain breakdown that has left a number of European automotive factories unable expand output after the Covid-19 pandemic (see Volkswagen faces massive chip shortages). However automobiles use relatively few chips manufactured on the most advanced processes.
That leading-edge currently stands at 5nm and European politicians are realising the strategic nature of being able to control IC supply as technologies such as artificial intelligence and 5G gain significance.
Europe’s attempts to re-engage with chip production are being led by politicians such as German economy minister Peter Altmaier and Europan Industry Commissioner Thierry Breton (see Germany ready to help Europe invest ‘billions’ in chip manufacturing).
Related links and articles:
News articles:
Europe will try to rebuild semiconductor capability using pandemic recovery funds
Volkswagen faces massive chip shortages
TSMC has no “concrete” plans to make chips in Europe
Opinion: Time for Europe to wake from a 30-year slumber
TSMC has no “concrete” plans to make chips in Europe
Germany ready to help Europe invest ‘billions’ in chip manufacturing
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