Most Important Developments
Not Necessarily Limited To Fabs
- 2025: American Manufacturing Program, Apple lead. Link here. Supply chain.
- 2025: Stargate, Softbank and Foxconn lead. Link here. Nationwide data centers.
- 2021: RAMP-C, Intel lead -- DOD. Link here. Program similar to Apple's AMP.
Fabs in Oregon
August 30, 2025:
Semiconductor fabs in Oregon include Intel's facilities in Hillsboro, Jireh Semiconductor's (an Alpha and Omega Semiconductor subsidiary) fab in Hillsboro, the Microchip Technology fab in Gresham, and the Analog Devices plant in Aloha. Other companies like Stratacache have purchased facilities but are not yet in full production.
Fabs in Texas
August 30, 2025:
Texas is home to multiple semiconductor fabrication plants (fabs) operated by major companies, including two 300mm wafer fabs at Texas Instruments (TI) in Richardson and a new 300mm wafer fab under construction by Samsung in Taylor. Texas Instruments also has new 300mm wafer fabs being built in Sherman, and other semiconductor companies with facilities in Texas include NXP Semiconductors and Infineon.
Multiple companies operate major semiconductor fabrication facilities in Texas, including long-term manufacturing hubs in Austin and Richardson, along with significant new expansions in Taylor and Sherman. The recent growth has been fueled by incentives from the Texas CHIPS Act and federal CHIPS and Science Act.
Fabs in Ohio
August 30, 2025:
Intel's first Ohio fab (Mod 1) is expected to have construction completed in 2030, with operations to begin in 2030-2031, and the second fab (Mod 2) in 2031, with operations starting in 2032.
This schedule represents a delay from previous projections, with Intel citing financial responsibility and the need to align with customer demand as reasons for the slower construction pace at its Ohio One site.
Intel fabs: update.
Twenty Most Important Global Fabs
This was posted by PatentPC on August 18, 2025: top ten (sic) most advanced Fabs in the world, latest rankings. Link here.
1. TSMC Fab 18 -- Taiwan, 3nm and 5nm chips; monthly capacity: 100,000 wafers; critical for Nvidia.
2. Samsung Pyeongtaek Campus, South Korea; the world's largest semiconductor fab, spanning over 2.9 million square meters (2.9 x 10.7639 = 31 million square feet); a city; handles most advanced fabrication processes including 3nm and below.
3. Intel D1X -- Primary Research and Development Fab for Intel's advanced notes, incuidng 18A (1.8nm); Ronler Acres campus in Hillsboro, Oregon, south of Portland;
What makes D1X stand out is its role in process innovation. Unlike high-volume fabs, this facility focuses on refining the techniques that will eventually be used in larger production facilities worldwide. This means that breakthroughs in D1X shape the entire semiconductor industry.
4. TSMC Fab 20 -- Taiwan, first fab to mass-produce 2nm chips; expected to start operations in 2025.
5. Samsung Hwaseong -- South Korea, produces cutting-edge GAA transistors for sub-3nm nodes.
6. Intel Ocotillo Fab 42 -- Chandler, Arizona, Intel's largest production fab; the move from Intel 7 (10nm) to Intel 4 (7nm).
7. TSMC Arizona Fab -- North Phoenix, USA -- $40 billion investment; will produce 4nm and later 3nm chips from 2025;
TSMC is not only bringing advanced chip production closer to key clients like Apple, NVIDIA, and AMD but also reinforcing supply chain resilience amid geopolitical uncertainties.
8. Samsung Taylor Fab -- Taylor, Texas, USA; $17 billion investment; will manufacture 3nm ad 4nm chips by 2024 - 2025; re-shoring! In Texas' Silicon Valley, northeast of Austin, TX.
9. Intel Magdeburg Fab -- Germany; a $33 billion investment; expected to start 2nm production by 2027;
Intel’s Magdeburg fab isn’t just another semiconductor plant—it’s a high-stakes move in the battle for technological dominance. With a staggering $33 billion investment, Intel is making a bold statement: Europe will play a critical role in the future of advanced chip manufacturing. For businesses, this shift is monumental. Supply chains will diversify, risks tied to Asia-centric production will reduce, and companies reliant on cutting-edge chips will gain a new, strategically located supplier. Whether you’re a tech startup, an automotive giant, or a data center operator, this fab’s arrival changes the way you think about sourcing chips.
10. GlobalFoundries Fab 8 -- Luther Forest Technology Campus, Malta, NY, USA, north of Albany, NY, produces advanced FinFET notes up to 12nm with a monthly capacity of 60,000 wafers.
GlobalFoundries may not be competing at 3nm or 2nm, but its role in supplying specialized chips is crucial. Many industries still rely on 12nm and older nodes, and Fab 8 ensures a steady supply of these essential components.
The next ten:
11. TSMC Nanjin -- China; focused on 16nm and 28nm process nodes for the Chinese market.
12. Samsung Austin -- Austin, TX, USA; one of the largest semiconductor fabs in the US, producing 14nm and older nodes.
13. TSMC Kumamoto Fab -- Japan; joint venture with Sony, producing 22nm and 28nm chips by 2024.
14. SMIC Beijing Fab -- China, the most advanced Fab in China, recently producing 7nm chips.
15. SK Hynix M16 -- South Korea; produces DRAM and NAND (think Micron) with EUV lithograpy fro advanced memory.
16. Micron Hiroshima Fab -- Japan; produced advanced DRAM using 1α (1-Alpha) process node.
17. Intel Ireland Fab 34 -- producing Intel 4 (7nm) chips with EUV lithography.
18. TSMC Fab 15 -- Taiwan -- one of the first fabs to mass-produce 7nm chips still operational
19. UMC Fab 12A -- Taiwan -- one of the most advanced non-TSMC fabs in Taiwan, producing 14nm chips
20. Samsung P3 Fab -- South Korea; will produce 2nm and below using GAA transistors by 2025.
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Global Fabs
The list is incredibly long.
Number of fabs (all approximate) that are
- in the "planning stage"): ~ seven (7);
- under construction: ~ five (5);
- started production in 2025: planned, one (1);
- started production in 2024: ~ 2
- started production in 2023: 1
- started production in 2022: 2
- started production in 2021: 2
- started production in 2020: 5
- started production in 2019: 3
- started production in 2018: 6
- started production in2017: 5
