Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co Ltd (TSMC) (2330.TW) said that there will be no production delays using 40-nanometer process technology.

"There is no delay on our tapeouts," said a TSMC official, noting: "Our production will depend on clients schedule."

'Tapeouts' refers to the transitional part of the pre-production or test production process to actual production following the final stages of integrated circuit (IC) design, according to the official.

The official did not reveal the clients, but the Economic Daily News earlier reported that there is speculation that TSMC clients Altera and AMD-ATi may delay new products.

This would result in a postponement of the chipmaker's 40-nanometer technology to February or March next year from the original plan of the fourth quarter of 2008, the daily added.

The wafer foundry in March this year unveiled the 40-nm technology following successful tapeouts using 45-nm technology last year.