Taiwan-based silicon wafer maker GlobalWafers is preparing for a second-phase expansion of its Texas plant. The plan depends on firm commitments from customers, Chairperson Doris Hsu said on Wednesday.
She said customers have already begun asking about more capacity. Because of this, the company believes the first phase may not be enough to meet demand.
Background on U.S. investment
In May last year, GlobalWafers said it would invest another four billion dollars in the United States. The goal was to support rising customer demand. This followed the opening of a new 3.5 billion dollar wafer facility in Texas.
That site is now GlobalWafers’ most advanced plant. It is also the only fully integrated 300 millimeter silicon wafer factory in the United States. Notably, it is the first advanced wafer facility built in the country in more than 20 years.
Customers’ driving capacity needs
Hsu explained that the Texas plant serves several customers, not just one. As a result, each customer has asked for more capacity. She said GlobalWafers is moving ahead with factory design work so it can act quickly once customers confirm their orders.
By preparing early, the company hopes to shorten the time needed to begin production when the expansion is approved.
Ties to TSMC and U.S. policy
GlobalWafers supplies silicon wafers to TSMC, the world’s largest contract chipmaker. TSMC is investing 165 billion dollars in new factories in Arizona.
At the same time, the United States and Taiwan reached a new trade deal last week. Under the agreement, Taiwanese firms will invest 250 billion dollars in U.S. projects tied to semiconductors, energy, and artificial intelligence. In return, U.S. tariffs on Taiwanese exports will drop from 20 percent to 15 percent.
Hsu said the deal shows Washington’s strong focus on building resilient local supply chains. She added that this direction matches GlobalWafers’ long-term expectations.
Global footprint and industry role
GlobalWafers operates 18 production and operations sites across nine countries. In the United States, it runs facilities in Texas and Missouri.
Silicon wafers play a central role in chip production. Larger wafers, such as 300 millimeter ones, allow manufacturers to produce more chips per wafer. This leads to better efficiency and lower costs.
