TSMC establishes research and development facility in Munich, Germany
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) To Establish European R&D Center in Munich
In a strategic move to expand its global footprint, the world's leading semiconductor contract manufacturer, TSMC, is set to establish a research and development (R&D) center in Munich, Germany. The center, tentatively scheduled to commence operations in Q3 2025, will mark TSMC's first chip design center in Europe.
The new R&D center aims to support European customers in developing high-density, high-performance, and energy-efficient chips, with a focus on several key sectors: automotive, industrial, artificial intelligence (AI), and the Internet of Things (IoT).
Notably, the center will assist in developing chips for automotive applications, thereby enhancing features such as autonomous driving and vehicle electronics. In the industrial sector, it will aid the creation of chips for enhanced efficiency and automation in manufacturing processes. Regarding AI, the center will contribute to developing AI-related chips for various applications, while for IoT, it will work on designing chips essential for smart devices and connectivity.
The primary objective of this center is to provide design technology co-optimization (DTCO) services, helping European customers optimize their chip designs to work seamlessly with TSMC's manufacturing processes. This includes assistance in the development of microcontroller units (MCUs) for mature process technologies and advanced processors for AI and high-performance computing (HPC) applications.
This move is a part of TSMC's broader strategy to strengthen its European presence, following a joint investment with European partners like Bosch, Infineon, and NXP to establish a semiconductor manufacturing facility in Dresden, Germany.
Sources: ntv.de, RTS
The establishment of TSMC's R&D center in Munich will foster collaboration with small and medium-sized undertakings (SMSEs) in Europe, particularly in the automotive, industrial, artificial intelligence (AI), and Internet of Things (IoT) industries, aiming to provide design technology co-optimization services and facilitate the development of high-density, high-performance, and energy-efficient chips. This strategic investment in European technology broadens TSMC's presence in the continent's semiconductor industry, signifying a significant move in the realm of finance and technology.
