The global shortage of semiconductors, essential for the manufacture of electronic chips, pushes the heavyweights of the world industry to secure their supplies.
Japanese electronics giant Sony to invest around $ 500 million in future semiconductor mega-factory that global industry giant, Taiwanese TSMC, plans to build at an initial cost of $ 7 billion, have announced Tuesday both groups.
This highly strategic project was officially announced in mid-October by TSMC.
Sony had confirmed at the end of October that it was in discussions with the Taiwanese group to participate.
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The site is expected to generate around 1,500 highly skilled jobs, and have a monthly production capacity of 45,000 12-inch (30 cm) silicon wafers, with a view to initially manufacturing 22-28 nanometer semiconductors.
"
As the global semiconductor shortage is expected to continue, we believe this partnership with TSMC will help secure a stable supply (...), not just for us but for the entire industry,
" commented in the press release Terushi Shimizu, the boss of Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation (SSS), a subsidiary of the Japanese giant.
This semiconductor foundry is to be built in Kumamoto, on the island of Kyushu (southwestern Japan), from next year with a view to starting production by the end of 2024. The government Japanese will provide a "
significant
"
financial contribution
to the project, the two groups said.
According to Japanese media, Tokyo has planned to subsidize the construction of the plant up to 50% or more.
