VSMC opens US$7.8 billion chip fab in Singapore, bets on ‘physical AI’ demand
VSMC is a joint venture by NXP and TSMC-backed Vanguard International Semiconductor
VSMC, a joint venture between NXP and TSMC-backed Vanguard International Semiconductor, has opened its 300 mm wafer fabrication plant in Singapore. The partners are focusing on the growing demand for chips that power "physical artificial intelligence", expanding AI capabilities into vehicles, robots, factories, and infrastructure.
The plant, located in Tampines, will produce 130-nanometre to 40-nanometre process technology for mixed-signal, power management, analogue, and interposer applications, catering to high-performance computing, mobile, automotive, industrial, and consumer markets. Once at full capacity in 2029, it will generate approximately 44,000 300-mm rasters per month.
Rafael Sotomayor, NXP president and CEO, emphasized the importance of edge devices in scaling physical AI, stating that facilities such as VSMC are vital for expanding manufacturing capacity. Minister for Trade and Industry (Energy and Industry) Tan See Leng highlighted that the global semiconductor industry is expected to double in size to US$1.6 trillion by 2030, with specialty semiconductors also playing a crucial role in areas like power management, sensing, and controlling systems in vehicles and industrial equipment.
VSMC's opening is expected to create around 1,600 jobs, focusing on professionals, managers, executives, and technicians in advanced manufacturing.
Written by urgent.news from The Business Times - Singapore's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
