Running On Four Decades of Leading-Edge Chip Manufacturing in Europe
Intel has been a part of the European digital ecosystem for more than 50 years now. We’ve been pioneering advanced manufacturing in Ireland for over 35 years. As the European Union pursues ambitious goals for its semiconductor industry, Intel is at the forefront of these efforts.
Pioneering High-Volume EUV Manufacturing in Europe
In 2023, our Fab34 site in Leixlip, Ireland became the first and only fab in Europe to use extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography in high-volume semiconductor manufacturing. This makes Ireland a global manufacturing hub for chips that power the most demanding computing applications, such as artificial intelligence (AI), advanced mobile networks, autonomous driving, and new data center and cloud applications.
The Need: Why Semiconductors Are Important
Today, semiconductors are the backbone of the modern economy and have multiplied humankind’s ability to invent, connect, learn and imagine. From revolutionizing construction to understanding the cosmos.
Critical challenges like global health pandemics, conflicts at Europe’s doorstep, and the urgent need for large-scale decarbonization have further accelerated the adoption of digital technologies. These factors have encouraged the EU to pursue an ambitious digital agenda to foster European competitiveness and resilience.
Leading-edge semiconductors will play a pivotal role in key European industries and foster Europe's competitive edge. The EU cannot miss this opportunity in the face of surging demand.
Leading-Edge Semiconductors Are Crucial for the European Industry and Innovation
Industries that will be crucial for Europe’s long-term competitiveness, such as the automotive, cloud infrastructure, and financial services sectors, depend on access to leading-edge semiconductors. But geopolitical challenges are a reality, semiconductor demand is changing, and conflicts can destabilize global supply chains. In this context, and where silicon technologies and chips are fast becoming the backbone of the economy, the world needs more geographically balanced and resilient supply chains.
Europe needs to level the playing field in semiconductor manufacturing. The objective should not only be to reduce dependencies: Europe should become more competitive in the field of semiconductors.
"For strategic industries, the EU should pursue a coordinated EU strategy to bolster domestic production capacity and to protect key network infrastructures. Europe should maximise its joint efforts to strengthen innovation in semiconductors and its presence in the most advanced chips segments."
― Mario Draghi, The future of European competitiveness: A competitiveness strategy for Europe, 2024
The EU’s goal to increase its share of global chip production to 20% (up from 10%) by 2030 is an ambitious undertaking and isn’t about the next two, five, or even ten years. Europe is faced with rapidly increasing global competition, particularly from major manufacturing powerhouses like Taiwan and South Korea. These countries represent a combined 58% of global manufacturing, which has left the EU in the backseat on production. Failure to act on these ambitions is not an option. Forecasts show that the EU will need to focus on leading-edge technologies to produce the latest generation of chips to guarantee its competitive edge in the long term.
Intel supports European plans to ensure leading-edge semiconductor production is done in Europe. We look forward to supporting the EU’s ambition to increase its share of global semiconductor manufacturing particularly through our ongoing investments in Ireland which serves as our European hub, focusing on advancing Moore's Law and foundry manufacturing. Read more about the EU’s plans to get there through the Chips Act: European Chips Act | European Commission (europa.eu).
Intel’s EU Investments - Investing in Europe’s Digital and Green Future
Intel has been a key player in the EU’s semiconductor industry for 35 years. Our Ireland site is a cornerstone of the EU’s manufacturing ecosystem, driving innovation, expanding manufacturing capabilities and delivering high-performance products. As one of Europe’s largest and most advanced semiconductor facilities, it represents the largest private investment in the history of Ireland, reinforcing the EU’s leadership in cutting-edge semiconductor technology.
Since 1989, Intel has invested €30 billion in Ireland and recently celebrated the opening of Fab 34, which produces Intel 4 and Intel 3 technology. Each year, Intel contributes €3.73 billion to the Irish economy and spends €284 million with Irish suppliers. Intel’s operations in Ireland have supported the creation of over 19,400 full-time jobs, in addition to the 4,900 people working for Intel.
Intel has long-standing and successful partnerships across the European ecosystem from R&D centres to suppliers and customers, including imec in Belgium and ASML in the Netherlands, and our investments have significant positive spillover effects throughout the European semiconductor industry. Semiconductor manufacturing sites are akin to small cities and drive the development of local workforces and supplier bases that boost economic development.
With over 50 years of history as a leader in the high-tech industry and the launch of Intel Foundry, we are expanding our ability to support the manufacturing needs of European chip designers for advanced semiconductors. Intel shares Europe’s values for technology leadership, centered on sustainability, trustworthiness, and responsible sourcing. Our common goals are to maintain sustainable, advanced semiconductor manufacturing in Europe competitive, to rebalance the global supply chain and to increase the resilience of the European semiconductor ecosystem.
Policy Actions for a Competitive and Resilient Europe
Europe’s economy is undergoing a once-in-a-generation change. European policymakers have a unique opportunity to lay the foundations of durable and sustainable prosperity. Achieving the goals of the EU’s twin – digital and green – transition will not be an easy feat. It will require a smart policy mix that has the support of a broad range of stakeholders. Based on our expertise and insights, the EU ought to prioritize four key areas over the next five years to create an environment where businesses and innovation can thrive by boosting competitiveness, enabling sustainable and responsible growth in Europe, driving innovation for a vibrant EU tech ecosystem, and promoting global collaboration.
In an increasingly digitalized age, a thriving semiconductor industry is at the core of achieving these ambitions. Intel stands ready to play its part in empowering the EU’s tech and manufacturing ecosystem and deliver on its promises.