TSMC Chairman C.C. Wei recently announced a decision to build one more 3nm fab in Tainan to meet strong customer demand, with mass production expected in H1 2028. TSMC had already planned one new 3nm fab each in Taiwan, the US, and Japan; adding the Tainan plant brings the 3nm new fab layout to a "3 plus 1" configuration.
Wei said that after a process node reaches target capacity, TSMC usually does not add extra capacity. But after evaluation, 3nm demand is expected to stay strong for years, so the company is continuing global fab construction and adding a Tainan plant to expand customer capacity support. The decision reflects TSMC's view that 3nm demand will persist.
The move comes as TSMC evaluates a new Texas fab, showing that Taiwan remains the center of its global capacity layout while it balances overseas expansion.
ICgoodFind Summary: TSMC broke its "stop expanding once a node hits target" convention, adding a Tainan fab beyond the original three 3nm plants—showing 3nm's demand cycle is longer than prior nodes. The 2028 production timing also means the 3nm capacity race is far from over.
