Israeli Report: Intel Eyes 14nm ramp in Ireland
By Mark LaPedus, SemiMD senior editor
As it gears up for 22nm production, Intel Corp. is now leaning towards upgrading its 300-mm fab in Ireland for the next-generation 14nm node, according to a report in an Israeli publication, Globes.
According to its latest roadmap, Intel initially plans to manufacture 22nm products in its D1D fab in Oregon, followed by the D1C plant in the same location. The company also plans to ramp 22nm production at three other fabs, including Fab 12 and Fab 32 in Arizona, and Fab 28 in Israel.
Fab 24 reception logo at Intel's Ireland campus.
At one time, Fab 24 in Leixlip, Ireland was targeted to manufacture processors based on the 22nm tri-gate process. But Intel appears to have pushed out 22nm production at the Ireland fab. In a presentation, Intel excluded the fab in Ireland for 22nm production.
Now, according to the Globes report, Intel is mulling plans to ramp up 14nm production at the Ireland fab. The Israeli government apparently made a bid to have Intel ramp up its 14nm production in Fab 28 in Israel or another fab site in that nation, but Intel rejected that plan, according to the report.
“Intel Israel thoroughly reviewed the proposal, and other executives toured the proposed site, including its water and electricity infrastructures and access roads,’’ according to the report from Globes. “A senior government source involved in the talks with Intel told ‘Globes’ today that the company decided to upgrade its Irish fab instead.”
Intel declined to comment on the report. “We have not announced specific sites anywhere outside of the Oregon and (Arizona) for 14nm fabs,” according to a spokesman for Intel.
“We did announce a $500 million investment to prepare Fab 14 for a future technology in January, but the rest of the Globes report is speculative. Our near term focus is deploying 22nm and the only thing we’ve said about 14nm is that the first high volume fab will be Fab 42 in Arizona, which is under construction,’’ according to the Intel spokesman.
In any case, Intel could lower its capital spending for this year and next. C.J. Muse, an analyst with Barclays Capital, said “specific to Intel, we believe some adjustments in its capacity adds, coupled with its taking Fab 24 off the 22nm roadmap, is likely to drive 2011 capex to $9+ billion (formal guidance $10.5 billion +/-$400 million), with 2012 capex tracking to ~$8 billion,’’ Muse said in a research report.
Tags: 14nm, 22nm, Intel, Ireland, Mark LaPedus, semiconductor manufacturing