Hsinchu, Taiwan — Marking the company’s major move into the “green” energy market, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Ltd. (TSMC) broke ground on its new LED lighting research and development center and fab in Hsinchu Science Park. The company expects to offer LED light sources and light engines for the LED lighting industry in 2011.
“LED lighting is a promising industry, and we will make full use of TSMC’s technology leadership and manufacturing excellence in semiconductors to develop and integrate LED technology, process, and packaging and testing,” said Dr. Rick Tsai, TSMC president of New Businesses, in a statement.
The LED fab will be built in two phases. Investment in plant and equipment for the first phase is expected to cost NT$5.5 billion (about $173 million). Equipment move-in is scheduled for fourth quarter of 2010 followed by volume production in the first quarter of 2011. Second phase decisions will be made at a later date depending on future business needs.
In addition, TSMC is actively recruiting for its LED lighting business in areas including technology development, process integration, product mechanical engineering, packaging, testing, equipment engineering, facilities, and business development.