October 25, 2007 — /BUSINESS WIRE/ — CHANDLER, AZ — Intel is opening its newest state-of-the-art microprocessor factory (called Fab 32) in Chandler, AZ, as it prepares to ship its first 45 nm processors on November 12.
Manufacturing capacity and modernization are key differentiators in today’s competitive market for microprocessors. Intel invests heavily in its global manufacturing network, including a $3 billion investment in Fab 32, to ensure it can meet the demands of the market, and is quickly ramping production on its 45nm process technology. Two more 45 nm factories will open next year.
With 1 million sq. ft. and more than 1,000 employees, Fab 32 is Intel’s latest environmentally friendly factory that will manufacture tens of millions of the most energy-efficient processors the company has ever made. These processors are based on Intel’s groundbreaking transistors with hafnium-based high-k metal gate silicon technology, the biggest change to how transistors are made in 40 years.
Production of a new generation of microprocessors for PCs, laptops, servers, and other computing devices officially began today inside of Intel Corp.’s first high-volume 45 nm manufacturing factory in Chandler,AZ.
The factory will use Intel’s innovative 45 nm process technology based on Intel’s breakthrough in “reinventing” certain areas of the transistors inside its processors to reduce energy leakage. The 45 nm transistors use a hafnium-based high-k material for the gate dielectric and metal materials for the gate, and are so small that more than 2 million can fit on the period at the end of this sentence. Millions of these tiny transistors will make up Intel’s faster, more energy efficient lead- and halogen-free processors for PCs, laptops, and servers, as well as ultra-low-power processors for mobile Internet and consumer electronic devices and low-cost PCs. The first of the company’s 45 nm processors is scheduled to be introduced on November 12.
“The opening of Fab 32 in Arizona today is a testament to Intel’s continued investment in our most strategic asset — the most advanced, environmentally friendly manufacturing network in the world,” says Paul Otellini, Intel president and CEO. “The magic of 45 nm and our new transistor design allow us to deliver high-performance, energy-efficient processors to our customers across the entire spectrum of market segments, from the most powerful servers to a variety of mobile devices and everything in between.”
Fab 32 is Intel’s sixth 300 mm wafer factory and its second factory to produce 45 nm chips. Intel first produced 45 nm processors in its Oregon development facility, called D1D, in January and is now moving into high-volume production with the opening of Fab 32. Two additional 45 nm, 300 mm manufacturing factories are scheduled to open next year in Kiryat Gat, Israel (Fab 28) and Rio Rancho, NM (Fab 11x). Using 300 mm wafers lowers the production cost per chip while diminishing overall use of resources.
With 184,000 sq. ft. of cleanroom space, the completed Fab 32 structure measures 1 million sq. ft., so large that more than 17 U.S. football fields could fit inside the building. More than 1,000 employees will operate the factory in such positions as process, automation, and yield engineers and senior manufacturing technicians.
A focus on the environment — From the factory down to the transistor
Fab 32 will be among Intel’s most environmentally friendly factories, incorporating a number of energy and water conservation measures that have come to characterize Intel’s long track record of environmental stewardship in its operations.
Intel’s industry-leading 45 nm process results in a 15 percent reduction in global warming emissions, and Fab 32 makes use of Intel Arizona’s innovative water conservation and reuse program which conserves more than 70 percent of the water.
The company also announced that it intends to seek certification for the new fab as the company’s first official Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) factory based on new criteria being developed for facilities of this kind. LEED is a green building rating system developed by the U.S. Green Building Council that provides a set of standards for environmentally sustainable construction and requires several months of operating data before certification can be completed. The certification would demonstrate that Fab 32 meets the highest environmental standards and reflects Intel’s history of commitment to environmental leadership.
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