{
  "id": 10407279,
  "title": "Semiconductor firm VSMC opens first S$8.5 billion plant in Singapore, expected to create 1,600 jobs",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/28/semiconductor-firm-vsmc-opens-first-s-8-5-billion-plant-in-singapore",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-09-28T08:50:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Channel News Asia",
    "slug": "channel-news-asia",
    "url": "https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/vsmc-semiconductor-wafer-plant-microchip-6415241"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "On September 28, VisionPower Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (VSMC), a joint venture between Taiwan’s TSMC-backed Vanguard International Semiconductor and the Netherlands’ NXP Semiconductors, inaugurated its first S$8.5 billion wafer fabrication plant in Singapore. The plant is expected to produce 44,000 silicon wafers per month by 2029, creating 1,600 new jobs.\n\nThe Tampines facility, which began volume production in Q1 2027, will manufacture 40- to 130-nanometre chips, a critical component for mixed-signal, power management, and interposer applications used in high-performance computing, mobile, automotive, industrial, and consumer markets. These applications are still in high demand despite the growing emphasis on artificial intelligence (AI) chips produced using two-nanometre or smaller processes.\n\nMinister for Trade and Industry (Energy and Industry) Dr Tan See Leng highlighted the significance of specialty semiconductors, noting that the semiconductor industry is poised to double to US$1.6 trillion by 2030. He emphasized that demand for specialty chips is growing due to trends like electrification, connected devices, and industrial automation. Dr Tan also emphasized that the new facility will bolster Singapore's semiconductor manufacturing capabilities and solidify its position as a trusted node in the global semiconductor supply chain.\n\nOf the 1,600 new jobs created by the plant, 75% will be professional, managerial, executive, and technician roles, including engineers, chemists, and data scientists. These roles will provide Singaporeans the opportunity to develop deep skills and pursue meaningful careers in a rapidly growing industry. The semiconductor industry presently contributes close to 6% of Singapore's economy and employs over 35,000 people, making Singapore a major player in global semiconductor production, accounting for roughly one in every ten chips made worldwide.",
  "summary": "The site in Tampines is set to produce 44,000 wafers per month when it reaches full capacity by 2029.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Channel News Asia",
        "title": "Singapore semiconductor industry commits over S$500m to R&D as global chip race intensifies",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/28/singapore-semiconductor-industry-commits-over-s-500m-to-r-d-as-global",
        "published": "2026-09-28T05:53:02.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Straits Times Business",
        "title": "Semiconductor firm VSMC opens first plant in Singapore, to create 1,600 jobs",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/28/semiconductor-firm-vsmc-opens-first-plant-in-singapore-to-create-1",
        "published": "2026-09-28T07:55:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}