TSMC's new 2nm fabrication plant in Kaohsiung reached a significant milestone on November 26, as it hosted its equipment installation ceremony, marking three major achievements. First, this plant represents TSMC's first-ever 12-inch fab in Kaohsiung. Second, the installation process began more than six months ahead of schedule. Third, once operational, the Kaohsiung fab will produce the world's most advanced chips, with major clients like Apple and AMD expected to be among its first customers.

The new 2nm fab in Kaohsiung complements TSMC's parallel efforts in Hsinchu, where the Baoshan fab is also slated for mass production of 2nm chips by 2025. While the Baoshan plant began its equipment installation earlier this year, Kaohsiung was originally planned to focus on mature process technologies. However, a decision in August 2023 shifted its focus to 2nm technology, accelerating the timeline for equipment installation by over six months.

Apple has already secured early orders for 2nm chips, particularly for its upcoming iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max models, which will feature TSMC's cutting-edge 2nm technology. Additionally, Intel's Nova Lake platform is expected to use the 2nm process, although production for this platform is currently scheduled for 2026. TSMC's 2nm technology is poised to be a cornerstone for high-performance computing and data center applications, with demand for these advanced chips surpassing that for the company's 3nm family.

As TSMC continues to expand its global manufacturing footprint, the Kaohsiung fab will play a key role in meeting the strong demand for next-generation chips. Chairman C.C. Wei recently expressed confidence in the company's 2nm orders, noting that inquiries have outpaced those for 3nm, and capacity is expected to grow as TSMC ramps up production. The Kaohsiung plant, along with TSMC's facilities in Tainan, will drive Taiwan's role as a global leader in semiconductor manufacturing, positioning the company to meet the needs of tech giants like Apple and AMD.

In a related development, TSMC is preparing to install the world's most advanced chip-making machines, the High NA EUV lithography systems, purchased from ASML. These $350 million machines, set to arrive by the end of the year, will further solidify TSMC's technological leadership and ensure it remains at the forefront of semiconductor innovation.

With a strong pipeline of high-profile customers and cutting-edge technologies, TSMC's Kaohsiung 2nm fab is poised to become a critical hub for producing some of the world's most advanced chips, supporting the rapid growth of industries that rely on high-performance computing, mobile devices, and next-generation data centers.