News Sony and TSMC considering a joint fab in Japan

[NTMBK]

TOKYO, Oct 8 (Reuters) - Taiwan's TSMC (2330.TW) and Japan's Sony Group Corp (6758.T) are considering jointly building a chip factory in Japan, with the government ready to pay for some of the investment of about 800 billion yen ($7.15 billion), the Nikkei reported on Friday.

TSMC and Sony considering joint chip factory, Japan gov't to help -Nikkei

Taiwan's TSMC and Japan's Sony Group Corp are considering jointly building a chip factory in Japan, with the government ready to pay for some of the investment of about 800 billion yen ($7.15 billion), the Nikkei reported on Friday.

www.reuters.com

Sounds like it would probably not be a leading edge fab, if it's focused on camera sensors and automotive parts.

 

[DrMrLordX]

Sounds like it would probably not be a leading edge fab, if it's focused on camera sensors and automotive parts.

Sony probably already has contracts lined up with Japanese automakers et al. One wonders which node they'll use?

Sony also has a history of building their own fabs. The last fabs they built of which I am aware were for Cell.

 

[moinmoin]

Seems like a natural extension of its existing business actually:

Products & Solutions | Sony Semiconductor Solutions Group

Sony Semiconductor Solutions Group develops device business which includes Micro display, LSIs, and Semiconductor Laser, in focusing on Image Sensor.

www.sony-semicon.co.jp

See also Sony's foundries in this listing (do a text search):

List of semiconductor fabrication plants - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[DrMrLordX]

Wow, Mitsumi? There's a name I haven't heard in years. I had a 12x SCSI CD-ROM drive from them in 1997. Ahem. Back on-topic!

Looks like Sony has expanded their fab capacity a bit. The Oita facility is pretty new.

 

[DrMrLordX]

An interesting take on Sony's upcoming collaboration with TSMC:

TSMC refuses to comment on rumor Denso involved in Sony partnership | Taiwan News | 2021-08-26 18:07:00

Auto component manufacturer Denso, Toyota allegedly getting in on deal too | 2021-08-26 18:07:00

www.taiwannews.com.tw

Denso is said to be interested in joining the partnership. Possibly Toyota, too. TSMC refuses to comment on that rumour.

 

[moinmoin]

Makes sense, this would pretty much turn the fab into an on premise service (to use a term from computing) by TSMC to the diverse Japanese automotive suppliers as investors.

 

[remsplease]

Probably going to become more prevalent given the unstable nature of global economics, supply chain and spying.

Security, Security, Security.

 

[ozzy702]

The more TSCM can expand globally the better and the more foundries the better. It's not like global demand for silicon will be leveling out at some point soon.