Intel’s new fab in Ireland starts production of ‘Intel 4’ chips

05 Oct 2023

Process said to be first use of EUV in high-volume manufacturing in Europe.

Chipmaker Intel has announced the arrival of its Intel 4 technology, which uses extreme ultraviolet (EUV) technology, and the first use of EUV in high-volume manufacturing (HVM) in Europe.

The company says that the arrival of this new capability “ushers in the future for products like upcoming Intel Core™ Ultra processors (code-named Meteor Lake), which will pave the way for AI-based PCs, as well as future-generation Intel Xeon processors in 2024 and produced on the Intel 3 process node.”

EUV technology employed in the production of Intel 4 is broadly adopted in leading-edge semiconductor technology nodes that power the most demanding computing applications, such as artificial intelligence, advanced mobile networks, autonomous driving, and new data center and cloud applications. Intel believes that EUV plays a “critical role” in driving the firm toward its goals of delivering five nodes in four years and regaining leadership in process technology by 2025.

Sustainable supply chain

Pat Gelsinger, Intel CEO, said of the new installation in Ireland, “The Silicon Isle has always been core to our long-term strategy, and today’s opening of Fab 34 contributes to the EU’s goal of creating a more resilient and sustainable semiconductor supply chain.”

The opening of Fab 34 in Leixlip, Ireland, combined with Intel’s planned wafer fabrication facility in Magdeburg, Germany, and planned assembly and test facility in Wrocław, Poland, will help develop a semiconductor manufacturing value chain in Europe. Intel said it is committed to “helping Europe realize its technological ambitions and, in turn, to building a global semiconductor supply chain that is resilient and geographically balanced.”

Keyvan Esfarjani, the company’s executive VP and chief global operations officer said, “Intel’s Ireland operations are a cornerstone of our global manufacturing footprint, and an important part of building an end-to-end semiconductor manufacturing value chain in Europe.

“As we continue to advance our 17 billion euro investment, this marks a significant milestone and a win for our Ireland operations as it brings Intel’s latest and greatest Intel 4 technology utilizing EUV to Fab 34, Ireland and Europe,” Esfarjani said.

The process development and early HVM on Intel 4 technology – which delivers significant improvements in performance, power efficiency and transistor density compared with earlier technologies – was performed in Intel’s development fab in Oregon.

‘Historic day’

Leo Varadkar, Irish Taoiseach, commented, “The opening of Fab 34 marks yet another historic day for Intel and for the team in Ireland. Since arriving here in 1989, Intel has been an anchor of our country’s industrial development, and today the company is once again demonstrating its commitment to leading-edge technology from Ireland. This milestone comes at a pivotal time for the industry, as Europe puts in place the building blocks to increase its semiconductor capacity. We look forward to the role that Ireland can play in realising the region’s ambitions.”