TSMC and Samsung have a rival: Intel joins the 1.4-nanometre chip race

Intel is getting back into the semiconductor business and making significant investments to give a head start to giants like TSMC and Samsung. Samsung is already struggling with TSMC's dominance in the contract chip manufacturing segment, now Intel is joining the rivalry race.

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Intel plans to start producing chips at the advanced 1.4 nanometre level in the coming years, ramping up its foundry business to compete with global chip contract manufacturing leader TSMC. Samsung, on the other hand, is trying to speed up the process of setting up production of the latest chips in an attempt to get ahead of TSMC.

Intel has announced that it will start producing chips using the advanced 1.4nm process in the coming years. The announcement was made at Intel's first semiconductor manufacturing event, where Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger first announced Intel 14A, which is what the company called its 1.4nm process.

While Samsung and TSMC have started producing chips on a 3nm process, Intel is currently working on a 5nm process and it aims to start 2nm production alongside both chipmakers by 2025. The US chipmaker is a late starter in foundries, but hopes the increased focus on advanced processes will help it bridge the gap.

Samsung plans to commercialise 1.4nm chips by 2027, while TSMC is also targeting 2027-2028. Intel may want to release its chips by the same time. TSMC currently has nearly 60 per cent of the contract chip manufacturing market, with Samsung in second place with 13 per cent of the market.

Intel's CEO reiterated the company's goal of becoming the second largest foundry in the world by 2030. This confirms that Intel is looking to overtake Samsung in the market, which could put a crimp in Samsung's plans to expand its share.

Source: NikkeiAsia