The most advanced fabs on Earth have a weak spot, and it's a small motor. Reut… · @Leoskie_L · TwKit

@Leoskie_L

The most advanced fabs on Earth have a weak spot, and it's a small motor. Reuters exclusive (Oct 22, Wen-Yee Lee & Fanny Potkin, 3 sources): TSMC is looking for alternatives to rare-earth components in its factory equipment. The chain: ▸ Rare-earth permanent magnets drive the motors that move parts in industrial tools ▸ Highly automated fabs like TSMC's lean heavily on those tools ▸ Since 2025, China has required export licences for some rare-earth materials, magnets and processing tech TSMC's move: asking suppliers whether factory automation gear can switch to rare-earth-free motors. Two of the sources say talks are early, with no large-scale adoption yet. TSMC didn't respond. Taiwan's plan: Economy Minister Kung Ming-hsin said in February the government will back ITRI to build a rare-earth pilot line within 3 years, aiming to cover ~50% of domestic demand (same Reuters story; a government target). Last night's story was energy squeezing through Hormuz. This one is a different chokepoint: for a fab to move, the magnets in its motors need a Chinese licence. The weakest link in a supply chain is often the part nobody looks at. Not investment advice.

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