TSMC affiliate eyes Singapore for its most advanced chip plant

SINGAPORE -- An affiliate of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. is nearing a decision to build its most advanced chip plant ever in Singapore, three sources with knowledge of the matter told Nikkei Asia.

Vanguard International Semiconductor, a specialty contract chipmaker, is looking to build its first 12-inch chip plant with an eye on capturing demand for automotive-related chips. TSMC owns a 28.3% stake in the company. The overseas expansion plan follows VIS's $236 million acquisition in 2019 of a more mature 8-inch chip plant in Singapore from GlobalFoundries that makes various sensors.