Taiwan chip testing suppliers step up expansion

台灣晶片測試供應商加速擴產

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Testing-interface suppliers are expanding production capacity to keep up with growing orders, CTEE reported Thursday.

Semiconductor makers are facing higher testing requirements as AI and high-performance computing chips become more complex. Their higher cost means defects during packaging or testing can result in greater losses, prompting customers to place greater emphasis on testing quality and validation, according to CTEE.

WinWay Technology Co. is working on more than 10 projects related to co-packaged optics, a packaging technology that integrates light-based components with computing chips in the same package. The company said the need to move large amounts of data at high speeds is driving greater interest in CPO as AI chips become more powerful.

Small-volume production of related testing products is expected to begin in the second half of next year, followed by larger-scale production in 2028. Its work spans several stages of the testing process.

The company is developing socket solutions, which connect chips to testing equipment, as well as probe cards used for wafer-level testing. It is also expanding its capabilities for testing both wafers and packaged chips.

WinWay’s socket production capacity is expected to remain tight through the first quarter of next year. Additional facilities are scheduled to come online gradually in the second and third quarters.

Chunghwa Precision Test Tech Co. is also seeing strong orders from customers in AI and high-performance computing. The manufacturer said its production capacity remains relatively tight, with orders visible through 2027.

As AI chips become more complex, Chunghwa Precision said customers are seeking more services beyond wafer-level and final testing. System-level testing is becoming more important, while burn-in testing, which simulates prolonged operation to identify potential failures, is also seeing greater interest, according to Odi Morgan.

Meanwhile, customer planning horizons are becoming longer. Chunghwa Precision said some customers are no longer discussing capacity requirements for just one year, but are instead planning for two or three years, or even longer. The trend is particularly pronounced among AI and HPC customers, according to Anue.

To support future orders, Chunghwa Precision is expanding its manufacturing footprint. A new plant and additional equipment are expected to be ready in 2029, while several projects are currently under development and validation.