TSMC breaks ground on Arizona reclaimed water plant

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) has broken ground on an industrial reclaimed water factory in Arizona, scheduled to begin operation in 2028.

• 15-acre Arizona plant will begin operations in 2028, initially recycle 85% of industrial wastewater and target 90%+ to achieve near net-zero wastewater emissions; it will produce ‘ultrapure water’ suitable for semiconductor manufacturing, including the 4-nanometer chips at TSMC’s Arizona fab.
• Site selection & design details: TSMC cited plans by state and city governments including a “100-year plan on water supply”; the plant design will account for higher magnesium and calcium levels in local water; TSMC already operates industrial water treatment plants in Taiwan and first used industrial reclaimed water in advanced manufacturing in 2022.