Intel invests $7 billion into 7nm chip production plant in Arizona

Intel is investing $7 billion into a semiconductor factory in Chandler, Arizona that once completed will build chips on a 7nm manufacturing process. Known as Fab 42, the plant is expected to be the most advanced semiconductor factory in the world.

It will take three to four years to complete construction of the factory. The site will employ more than 3,000 high-tech, high-wage jobs for process engineers, equipment technicians, and support technicians, and 10,000 total long-term jobs in Arizona.

“Intel is a global manufacturing and technology company, yet we think of ourselves as a leading American innovation enterprise,” Intel CEO Brian Krzanich said. “America has a unique combination of talent, a vibrant business environment, and access to global markets, which has enabled U.S. companies like Intel to foster economic growth and innovation. Our factories support jobs—high-wage, high-tech manufacturing jobs that are the economic engines of the states where they are located.”

Krzanich announced the $7 billion alongside U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House today. The accompanying press release puts added focus on American job creation, though looking beyond the politics of the announcement, the interesting thing here is setting up shop for 7nm semiconductors.

Intel still hasn’t released their 10nm processors however they showed the 10nm Cannonlake processor wafer with this announcement.

After the 10nm Cannonlake, the ‘Process’ part of Intel’s three stage Process-Architecture-Optimization strategy, we’ll have Icelake (Architecture) and Tigerlake (Optimization). 7nm is far enough out that Intel hasn’t even revealed the codenames for the parts yet, so don’t get too excited. The eventual 7nm transition will also lead to more sophisticated data centers and advances in artificial intelligence technology.

Intel has plans extending well beyond 7nm, often peering 10 or more years into the future. Carbon nanotubes, graphene, and other advances may take over when silicon reaches its limit. Moore’s Law.