TSMC is said to be in wide ranging talks about the significant investment required to open a new chip fab in Saxony, Germany. Private investment may be as high as €10 billion (~$11 billion), according to "people familiar with the matter" talking to Bloomberg reporters. Public funds might end up matching that amount, to reel in this strategic investment, but the European Commission will have to greenlight any state aid. It is understood that TSMC's first fab in Europe will concentrate on 28nm production.
If the plans reported upon by Bloomberg are correct, TSMC will work in partnership with NXP Semiconductors, Robert Bosch, and Infineon Technologies to provide a wide base for the venture. The partnership will spread the €10 billion (~$11 billion) investment risk. TSMC partners' local business knowledge will help in both planning and the raising of state aid. Public funds won't quite meet the private investment level, at least initially. Bloomberg's report says that state subsidy levels will start at around the €7 billion mark ($7.75 billion), but could well rise to match the private investment capital.
