Intel opens Europe’s first 65nm chip plant

Stan Beer
Sunday, 25 June 2006 21:05

IT Industry - Strategy

Chip making market leader Intel Corporation has opened a high-volume semiconductor manufacturing facility in Leixlip, Ireland. The fabrication plant is Intel’s third chip factory using 65nm process technology and the industry’s first chip factory in Europe producing 65nm chips in high volume.

The US$2 billion factory has begun high-volume production using 65nm process technology produced on 300mm wafers, which provides the Intel fab with the potential to generate higher microprocessor output at lower cost. Along with Intel’s Fab 12 in Arizona and D1D fab in Oregon, the new facility (called Fab 24-2) is the company's most technologically advanced, high-volume semiconductor manufacturing plant building multi-core microprocessors.

“Intel is establishing a clear technology lead with our next generation of dual-core processors based on the Intel Core microarchitecture,” said Intel president and CEO Paul Otellini. “Our manufacturing capability is key to fueling Intel’s success.”

Intel is now producing more than half its PC and server microprocessors using the 65nm process technology. During a ceremony to officially open the Ireland factory, Otellini said that the 300mm wafers that began running through the new facility three months ago helped the company reach this milestone.

Intel says it is also on track to begin production using its next-generation 45nm process technology by the end of 2007.

Rival AMD plans to bring its first 65nm plant online in Dresden, Germany before the end of 2006.