McClean Report May 2026: Foundry Market Overview and Forecast

Rising AI and edge computing demand is fueling foundry growth as TSMC faces new 2nm competition from Intel and Samsung in the semiconductor race.

The ongoing transition to AI-centric system applications and edge computing technologies has created a shortage of leading-edge foundry capacity. TSMC’s dominance of leading-edge nodes is being challenged by the launch of 2nm processes from IDM competitors. TSMC’s first 2nm device isn’t expected until Q3, while Intel and Samsung both reached the market with 2nm devices in Q1 2026 (Panther Lake and Exynos 2600, respectively). Meanwhile, specialty foundries and foundries that manufacture using mature-node process technologies are expected to see steady, tempered growth this year. After growing 22% in 2025, the worldwide semiconductor foundry market, including both pure-play and IDM foundry sales, is projected to grow 29% to $253.3 billion in 2026.