Core Viewpoint - TSMC is considering changing the production technology for its Kumamoto second factory from the originally planned 6nm to a more advanced 4nm process due to declining demand in the automotive semiconductor market and increasing demand for AI-related products [1][2][4] Group 1: Construction Status - Reports indicate that the construction of the Kumamoto second factory has effectively stopped, with heavy machinery cleared from the site by early December [3] - TSMC's president of the Kumamoto factory, Yuichi Horita, stated that construction is still ongoing and that discussions with partners regarding the details and progress of the construction are continuing [1][3] Group 2: Production Plans - The first Kumamoto factory is set to begin mass production in December 2024, with a production cycle time comparable to TSMC's facilities in Taiwan, and is expected to employ 2,400 people, increasing to over 3,400 after the second factory starts production [1] - The second factory, initially planned to produce 6nm and 7nm chips, may now focus on 4nm technology, which is more suitable for AI semiconductors, reflecting a shift in market demand [2][4] Group 3: Market Dynamics - The demand for 6nm and 7nm chips has decreased, impacting TSMC's production capacity utilization rates at its main facility in Taiwan [3] - TSMC is also considering introducing advanced chip packaging technology in Japan, which is crucial for manufacturing AI chips, and there are discussions about potentially skipping 4nm technology altogether in favor of 2nm due to anticipated market shifts [4]

Core Viewpoint - TSMC's performance in 2025 is projected to reach NT$3.7 trillion, driven by strong demand for AI, but concerns arise over the ongoing losses at its Kumamoto plant in Japan due to low capacity utilization and market challenges [1][2] Group 1: TSMC's Financial Outlook - TSMC's projected revenue for 2025 is NT$3.7 trillion, reflecting optimism in the AI sector [1] - The company has faced significant losses at its Kumamoto plant, which has raised concerns among stakeholders [1][2] Group 2: Challenges at Kumamoto Plant - The Kumamoto plant's capacity utilization is reportedly low, with ongoing losses attributed to reduced demand for automotive chips from Japanese manufacturers [2] - The plant's 28nm process is particularly affected, leading to a capacity utilization rate of approximately 50% [3] - TSMC is considering changing the planned production from 6nm to 2nm at the Kumamoto plant to address the ongoing losses, which would significantly increase investment costs from over US$10 billion to over US$25 billion [3] Group 3: Market Dynamics - The rise of mature process technology in mainland China has impacted TSMC's mature process capacity utilization, with reports indicating that the advanced 6nm process in Taiwan has also seen a decline to 60-70% utilization [2] - The Japanese automotive market's sluggish recovery has further exacerbated the challenges faced by TSMC's Kumamoto plant [3] Group 4: Government and Investment Considerations - The success of the 2nm process at the Kumamoto plant hinges on whether the Japanese government will provide additional subsidies [3] - TSMC's financial performance in the U.S. has also been under scrutiny, with significant losses reported at its Arizona facility since its establishment [3]

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses TSMC's strategic adjustments in response to the booming demand for AI chips, highlighting the challenges faced by its Kumamoto factory in Japan, which is experiencing low capacity utilization and ongoing losses. TSMC plans to shift its focus from mature processes to advanced 2nm technology to better align with market demands and improve profitability [1][2][3]. Group 1: TSMC's Capacity Adjustments - TSMC's Chairman, C.C. Wei, has initiated a global capacity review to optimize production, particularly in light of the underperformance of the Kumamoto factory [1][3]. - The Kumamoto factory, originally planned to produce 6nm chips, is now set to pivot towards 2nm production due to ongoing losses and low demand for mature processes [2][6]. - TSMC's 6nm capacity utilization in Taiwan has dropped below 70%, prompting the need for a strategic shift to advanced processes [6][12]. Group 2: Market Demand and Competition - The demand for AI chips is exceptionally high, with major companies like Nvidia and AMD increasing orders from TSMC, which has led to optimistic revenue projections of up to NT$3.7 trillion for the year [1][2][10]. - TSMC faces competition from China's mature process technology, which has impacted its capacity utilization rates, particularly in the automotive sector [2][3]. - The Japanese government is also investing in a competing 2nm wafer fab, which could create a competitive landscape for TSMC in securing client orders and government subsidies [8][12]. Group 3: Financial Implications and Future Plans - TSMC's shift to 2nm technology may require an investment increase from over $10 billion to more than $25 billion, raising concerns about the financial implications of this transition [7][12]. - The company is actively selling idle equipment from older fabs to free up space for advanced process technologies, indicating a strategic move to enhance production efficiency [10][11]. - TSMC's global expansion plans include acquiring additional land in Arizona for new 2nm facilities, reflecting its commitment to meeting strong market demand [12].

Core Viewpoint - TSMC is considering advancing its chip production technology at its second factory in Japan to meet the demand for AI-related products, which may lead to construction delays and design changes [3][4]. Group 1: Factory Development - TSMC's second factory in Kumamoto, Japan, which began construction in late October, is now contemplating a shift to 4nm process technology, moving away from the initially planned 6nm and 7nm chips [3]. - The construction of the Kumamoto factory has reportedly been paused, with heavy machinery cleared from the site by early December [3]. - TSMC has informed suppliers that it will not add equipment to its existing factory in Kumamoto until at least 2026, as demand for 6nm and 7nm chips has decreased [4]. Group 2: Market Demand and Technology Shift - The demand for 6nm and 7nm chips has declined, impacting TSMC's production capacity utilization at its main facility in Taichung, Taiwan [4]. - TSMC has a history of adjusting its construction plans based on market demand, as seen with its facility in Kaohsiung, which shifted from mature processes to advanced 2nm technology [4]. - TSMC is also considering introducing advanced chip packaging technology in Japan, which is crucial for AI chip manufacturing [5]. Group 3: Partnerships and Support - TSMC's projects in Japan are supported by companies such as Sony Semiconductor Solutions, Denso, and Toyota [5].

Core Insights - TSMC's factory in Kumamoto, Japan, has commenced production and plans for a third factory are underway, with significant investments and government support involved [2][3][6]. Group 1: TSMC's Expansion in Japan - TSMC's first factory in Kumamoto is set to begin mass production by the end of 2024, while the second factory's construction has started in October 2023, with an investment of approximately $13.9 billion [2][3]. - The second factory is expected to produce more advanced 6nm chips and is scheduled to start production by December 2027, although full-scale production may be delayed based on demand [3]. - The total investment for both factories in Kumamoto amounts to $22.5 billion, with the Japanese government providing subsidies up to ¥1.2 trillion [3]. Group 2: Government Subsidies and Financial Support - TSMC has received approximately NT$147 billion (around $4.7 billion) in subsidies from various governments, including those in the U.S., Japan, Germany, and China, over the past two years [5][6]. - In the third quarter of this year, TSMC received NT$4.77 billion in subsidies, bringing the total for the first three quarters of 2025 to approximately NT$71.9 billion [5]. - The financial aid is primarily allocated for purchasing property, facilities, and equipment, as well as covering operational costs related to overseas production bases [6].

Core Viewpoint - United Microelectronics Corporation (UMC) is exploring the feasibility of entering advanced chip production, specifically targeting 6nm technology, to enhance its growth potential in a market dominated by TSMC, Samsung, and Intel [1][2]. Group 1: Company Strategy and Developments - UMC is assessing future growth drivers, including the potential production of 6nm chips suitable for advanced connectivity applications and AI accelerators [1]. - The company is considering expanding its collaboration with Intel in 12nm chip production, potentially incorporating 6nm technology into this partnership [1][2]. - UMC's CFO indicated that substantial progress in advanced manufacturing technology will depend on partnerships to alleviate financial burdens [2]. Group 2: Market Position and Competition - UMC is currently the fourth largest chip foundry globally, with a market share of 4.7%, following TSMC, Samsung, and SMIC [3][4]. - As of Q1 2025, UMC's revenue decreased by 5.8%, reflecting competitive pressures from local Chinese manufacturers and the rise of SMIC, which has overtaken UMC to become the third largest foundry [2][3]. - The global foundry market is highly concentrated, with the top five companies accounting for 90.2% of the market share [3]. Group 3: Financial Considerations and Challenges - Entering the 6nm production space may require significant capital investment, estimated at around $5 billion, which poses a challenge for UMC [7]. - UMC's capital expenditure for the current year is projected to be $1.8 billion, significantly lower than SMIC's ongoing expenditure of over $7 billion [7]. - The company is exploring a "light asset" model to share the financial burden of new technology investments with partners [7]. Group 4: Industry Trends and Future Outlook - By 2030, mainland China is expected to lead global semiconductor foundry capacity, potentially holding 30% of the market, which adds competitive pressure on UMC [5]. - The demand for mature semiconductor products is rebounding slower than expected, prompting UMC to seek new growth opportunities [7]. - The transition to advanced chip production is complicated by the need for cutting-edge equipment, such as EUV lithography machines, which are costly and may impact production quality if older technologies are used [8].