Intel’s Landmark EUV Manufacturing Breakthrough in Ireland Sparks Global Semiconductor Race
Intel, once the leading chip manufacturer, has made a significant breakthrough in Ireland that could potentially put it back in the lead. The company has successfully achieved high-volume manufacturing using Extreme Ultraviolet (EUV) technology. This achievement is seen as a major milestone for both Intel and the semiconductor industry.
Ann Kelleher, Intel’s general manager of technology development, described the accomplishment as a landmark for Intel and the semiconductor industry as a whole. The transfer of Intel 4 process technology into high-volume production in Ireland is considered a significant step towards enabling cutting-edge manufacturing in Europe.
The manufacturing plant responsible for this breakthrough is located in Leixlip, a town outside Dublin. It is the first high-volume facility to utilize Intel 4, a manufacturing process that incorporates EUV technology. This advanced technique will be used to produce Intel’s upcoming Meteor Lake chip for laptops, which will pave the way for AI-powered PCs.
Normally, Intel finalizes new manufacturing processes at its research and development site in Hillsboro, Oregon. Once the process is perfected, Intel exports the manufacturing template to various locations worldwide, including Ireland and Arizona in the United States.
The EUV machines utilized in this breakthrough are manufactured by ASML, a Dutch company. These machines, which are as big as a bus and cost around $150 million each, are among the most expensive tools in the world.
Beyond its existing facilities in Ireland, Intel has plans to construct a large chip complex in Germany and a semiconductor assembly and test facility in Poland. These new sites will benefit from relaxed funding rules and subsidies in the European Union as the bloc aims to reduce its dependence on US and Asian suppliers.
By expanding its European presence, Intel hopes to create a comprehensive end-to-end advanced semiconductor manufacturing value chain in Europe.
With the addition of the new factory in Ireland, Intel’s manufacturing space will be doubled in the country. Intel is already one of Ireland’s largest multinational employers, with 4,900 employees, accounting for half of its European workforce. The company plans to add an additional 1,600 jobs at the plant over time.
This breakthrough by Intel marks a significant development in the semiconductor industry. It sets the stage for an intense global semiconductor race as Intel aims to regain its leading position, delivering manufacturing technology that rivals Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Through its advancements in EUV technology, Intel is poised to drive innovation and shape the future of chip manufacturing.
