Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company's (TSMC) board of directors on November 8 approved a capex appropriation of US$1.06 billion specifically for increasing advanced technology process capacity, and for building and expanding its 12-inch fab facilities.
Plans to allocate US$233.9 million for R&D expenses in 2012 also received the nod from the company's board, TSMC said.
TSMC CEO Morris Chang remarked at the company's October 26 investors meeting that 28nm process technology is expected to be an important engine of company growth next year.
TSMC's 28nm offering includes 28HP, 28HPL, 28LP and 28HPM. The former three processes are now in volume production, and the other will be ready for production by the end of 2011.
Market watchers expect 28nm to account for 2% of TSMC's revenues in the fourth quarter of 2011, up from only 0.5% in the third quarter. The ratio will rise significantly in 2012, they said.
TSMC shares closed at NT$74.50 (US$2.48) on the Taiwan Stock Exchange (TSE) on November 8, down NT$0.50.
Article translated by Jessie Shen
