Apple chipmaker TSMC, which makes both Apple’s A-series and Apple Silicon chips, says that its production lines have been hit by a gas leak. This has affected some of its chip production — including the advanced chip fab used for upcoming iPhones and Macs.
“To ensure that there will be no issues with production quality, TSMC is currently carrying out stringent follow-up operations,” TSMC said. It told Reuters that it doesn’t expect this to he a “significant impact” on operations.
The production lines affected by the “contamination of gases used in the chipmaking process” are located in southern Taiwan.
TSMC, short for Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co, is the world’s largest contract chipmaker. Apple is its largest and most famous client. The two companies have worked together for many years.
While most of that relationship has been very positive — with a combination of cutting-edge chip technology and high quality, polished production — there have been a few hiccups over the years. In 2018, a computer virus infected the fabrication tools and computers used at TSMC’s factories. It has also previously sued an ex-employee for leaking R&D secrets to rival chipmakers, thereby allowing them to catch up.
TSMC recently received approval for a new plant in Taiwan. It will be dedicated to building next-generation 2-nanometer chips for future devices.
Source: Reuters
