Intel invests $650 million to expand 300mm fab

Continuing its strategy to increase 300mm manufacturing capacity, semiconductor supplier Intel Corp. announced Monday (Oct. 24) it would invest $650 million to expand an existing fab in Rio Rancho, N.M., called Fab 11X.

Intel (Santa Clara, Calif.) has 300mm fabs in Oregon and Ireland, and announced in July it would spend $3 billion to erect a new 300mm fab in Chandler, Ariz..

The company expects the additional 300mm capacity to increase its ramp-up of 90 and 65nm as well as other future process technologies.

"Additional 300mm wafer manufacturing capability helps improve the overall cost-effectiveness of our worldwide manufacturing network, said Intel president and chief executive Paul Otellini in a statement. "Investing in an existing manufacturing site allows us to take advantage of our highly skilled workforce in New Mexico."

Construction and new tool installations are scheduled to continue through 2006, with production operations set to begin through the new expansion in early 2007. Intel is expected to create more than 300 new manufacturing jobs through the expansion.

- Spencer Chin

EE Times