Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) is expanding its monthly 12-inch capacity to 240,000 wafers at the end of 2010, rising by 37% from a year earlier, and the capacity will increase another 30% to 312,000 wafers in 2011, according to company chairman and CEO Morris Chang at the foundry's annual supply chain management forum on December 3.

TSMC estimates 2010 capital expenditure (capex) at US$5.9 billion and expects a higher budget for 2011, Chang said, adding along with capacity expansion, TSMC has increased its workforce from 20,000 employees at the beginning of 2010 to 36,000 currently.

Global semiconductor production value in 2010 will grow by 30% from 2009 and the production value of foundry services alone will rise by 40%, Chang said. In 2011, the value for overall semiconductor production, IC design and foundry services will increase from 2010 by 5%, 7% and 14%, respectively, while TSMC will see its 2011 production value increase by more than 14%, Chang added.