TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) is rumored to have expanded investment to the development of Gallium Nitride (GaN) process technology to tap into the high demand for fast-charging components.

The move is expected to help the Hsinchu-based company drive sales and profitability this year, thanks to the more expensive, state-of-the-art GaN power products, LTN reported.

The world's largest contract chipmaker is said to have added 16 units of specialty equipment, more than twice the number of its 6-inch wafer fab in Hsinchu. The aim is to boost production capacity for clients such as Navitas Semiconductor, the world's largest GaN power IC manufacturer, in response to surging demand. TSMC declined to comment on the report.

Earlier this year, Navitas announced that a record high of over 13 million GaN power ICs had been shipped, indicating a fast uptick in demand for the mobile quick charge market. The company said in a statement that it has thanked TSMC as its "trusted foundry partner" for helping to manufacturer the products with GaN process technology and deliver them to market quickly.