Taiwanese tech giant GlobalWafers recently unveiled plans to build a silicon wafer factory in the state of Texas. Silicon wafer is a key component in the production of semiconductors, which are increasingly hard to come by. The construction of the facility is reportedly set to cost $2 billion, while the total investment is projected at the north of $5 billion.
GlobalWafers, the third-largest producer of silicon wafers in the world, shared a statement on Monday detailing the plan. According to the company, the Texas plant, which will be located in Sherman, will enter the construction phase at some point in 2022. The production is expected to launch as soon as 2025, and the total output should be 1.2 million wafers on a monthly basis.
T U.S. has been hit hard with recent supply chain disruptions considering that the country massively relies on importing silicon wafers for its semiconductor production. But once the GlobalWafers facility starts operating, the U.S. will be able to weather future supply chain issues while also setting itself up for an expansion of domestic semiconductor production.
“This investment will represent the first new silicon wafer facility in the U.S. in over two decades and close a critical semiconductor supply chain gap,” said GlobalWafers announcing the news.