STMicro and GlobalFoundries are going to build a chip factory together in France

GlobalFoundries and STMicroelectronics want to build a chip factory together in Crolles, a French town near Lyon. The factory must be fully operational in 2026 and will then produce a maximum of 620,000 wafers per year for 18nm chips, among other things.

The factory will be located next to STMicro’s existing factory and 42 percent of the production of the new factory will be for this company. The remaining 58 percent will be for GlobalFoundries. In the factory want the companies making different types of chips, with 18nm as the smallest process. With this, the two want to make chips for the automotive, iot and smartphone markets.

The French government will support the construction of the factory with money. In return for Reuters the government says it will invest more than 5.7 billion euros. The exact amount is not mentioned, because the government hopes to get ‘more’ money from the European Chips Act.

About 1000 workers are needed for the factory. STMicro’s current plant in Crolles produces according to FT 520,000 wafers on an annual basis.

STMicro’s factory in Crolles, France