Capex of the global semiconductor industry is expected to top US$62.2 billion in 2014 as increasing popularity of mobile devices has stirred demand for IC parts built by advanced processes nodes, according to an industry estimate. The industry's capex hit a historical high of US$65 billion in 2011.

　　Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) has begun offering foundry services utilizing 20nm process and is expected to usher in 16nm process by the end of 2014, the sources indicated.

　　TSMC's capex during the period from 2013-2014 will be close to US$10 billion a year but the pace of its capital spending is expected to begin subduing in 2015, estimated the sources.

　　Samsung Electronics' combined capex from 2012-2014 is likely to reach US$35 billion, with 60% of the capital being used to ramp the production capacity and its process technology.

　　Globalfoundries' capex is expected to grow 22% on year to US$5.5 billion in 2014. For the period from 2012-20014, capex will total US$13.8 billion.