Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.'s first U.S.-based wafer fab is accelerating its mass production timeline, with plans to commence pilot operations using extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography equipment this March. This move is a crucial preparatory step for the eventual mass production of Tesla Motors' AI5 and AI6 autonomous driving chips.
The company intends to install etching and deposition equipment in phases, with full-scale production anticipated to begin in the second half of 2026. Samsung is currently preparing to apply for a temporary occupancy permit from Texas authorities, which would allow production activities to start even before the factory is officially completed.
On-site construction is now in its final stages. According to contractors cited by media, approximately 7,000 workers are currently on-site daily, with about 1,000 already occupying the factory's office building, indicating a significantly accelerated pace compared to a year ago.
The scale of the Taylor facility is immense, with considerable room for future expansion. Samsung's Taylor factory in Texas spans approximately 4.85 million square meters, an area larger than the combined footprint of its Pyeongtaek and Hwaseong plants in South Korea. Reports indicate the company has reserved enough land at the site to accommodate an additional 10 wafer fabs, signaling a long-term strategic commitment to expansion in the United States.
Initially planned as a 4nm chip production base, the factory's strategic target has been revised to a monthly output of 50,000 2nm wafers, demonstrating a clear pivot towards the most advanced process nodes. Furthermore, it is reported that if Samsung secures more customer orders, the second Taylor factory, currently in early construction phases, could begin operations ahead of schedule.
Yield challenges for the 2nm process remain a significant hurdle for Samsung in the advanced semiconductor race. Reports note that TSMC commenced mass production of 2nm chips at its Taiwan facility by the end of 2025, achieving initial yields between 70% and 90%, a level Samsung's 2nm pilot line has yet to reach.
However, according to the latest information, Samsung has reportedly increased its 2nm process yield to approximately 50% and has begun full-scale promotion of its second-generation 2nm technology, SF2P. This technical progress is critical for Samsung, especially as its Taylor plant aims to bring 2nm production lines online according to schedule, where yield performance will be directly linked to its ability to supply key clients like Tesla on time.
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