Friday, November 3rd 2023

Texas Instruments Breaks Ground on New 300-mm Semiconductor Wafer Fabrication Plant in Utah

Texas Instruments (TI) today broke ground on its new 300-mm semiconductor wafer fabrication plant (or "fab") in Lehi, Utah. Joined by Utah Governor Spencer Cox, state and local elected officials, as well as community leaders, TI President and Chief Executive Officer Haviv Ilan celebrated the first steps toward construction of the new fab, LFAB2, which will connect to the company's existing 300-mm wafer fab in Lehi. Once completed, TI's two Utah fabs will manufacture tens of millions of analog and embedded processing chips every day at full production.

"Today we take an important step in our company's journey to expand our manufacturing footprint in Utah. This new fab is part of our long-term, 300-mm manufacturing roadmap to build the capacity our customers will need for decades to come," said Ilan. "At TI, our passion is to create a better world by making electronics more affordable through semiconductors. We are proud to be a growing member of the Utah community, and to manufacture analog and embedded processing semiconductors that are vital for nearly every type of electronic system today."
In February, TI announced its $11 billion investment in Utah, marking the largest economic investment in state history. LFAB2 will create approximately 800 additional TI jobs as well as thousands of indirect jobs, with first production available as early as 2026.

"TI's growing manufacturing presence in Utah will be transformative for our state, creating hundreds of good-paying jobs for Utahns to manufacture critically important technology," said Utah Governor Spencer Cox. "We are proud that semiconductors - made in Utah by Utahns - will power the innovation that is foundational to our country's economic and national security."

Building stronger communities
As part of TI's commitment to education, the company will invest $9 million dollars in the Alpine School District to develop the state's first Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) learning community for all students in kindergarten through 12th grade. The multiyear program will embed STEM concepts more deeply into coursework for the district's 85,000 students and provide STEM-oriented professional development for its teachers and administrators. The district-wide program will equip students with essential STEM skills, such as critical thinking, collaboration and creative problem-solving to succeed after graduation.

"We are excited this partnership will help our students develop essential knowledge and skills, preparing them for success in life and possible careers in the technology sector," said Alpine School District Superintendent, Dr. Shane Farnsworth. "Working together with the city of Lehi, Texas Instruments, and our schools, this collaborative investment will impact students and their families for many generations to come."

Building sustainably
TI has a long-standing commitment to responsible, sustainable manufacturing. LFAB2 will be one of the company's most environmentally efficient wafer fabs, designed to meet one of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) building rating system's highest levels of structural efficiency and sustainability: LEED Gold version 4.

LFAB2 has a goal to be powered by 100% renewable electricity, and advanced 300-mm equipment and processes in Lehi will further reduce waste, water and energy consumption. In fact, LFAB2 is expected to recycle water at nearly twice the rate of TI's existing fab in Lehi.

Building the next era of semiconductor manufacturing
LFAB2 will complement TI's existing 300-mm wafer fabs, which include LFAB1 (Lehi, Utah), DMOS6 (Dallas), and RFAB1 and RFAB2 (both in Richardson, Texas). TI is also building four new 300-mm wafer fabs in Sherman, Texas (SM1, SM2, SM3 and SM4), with production from the first fab as early as 2025.

TI's manufacturing expansions, with anticipated support from the CHIPS and Science Act, will provide reliable supply of analog and embedded processing products. These investments in manufacturing and technology illustrate the company's commitment to long-term capacity planning.

Source: Texas Instruments
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11 Comments on Texas Instruments Breaks Ground on New 300-mm Semiconductor Wafer Fabrication Plant in Utah

#1
Eskimonster
How do they deal with water in the dessert ?
Posted on Reply
#2
dicobalt
EskimonsterHow do they deal with water in the dessert ?
It's a close neighbor to Salt Lake City, there are two giant lakes nearby so it's not a problem.
Posted on Reply
#3
TheLostSwede
News Editor
EskimonsterHow do they deal with water in the dessert ?
Watch the video, they have a short segment on it. That said, I still don't get why so many companies are building fabs in desert.
Posted on Reply
#4
dragontamer5788
Did they release which process node they're aiming for?

300mm is the headline for a reason. A lot of what companies use are 200mm or even smaller, which is 50% less chip per... processing step... because 200mm diameter is 31400 mm^2 while 300mm is 70650 mm^2. Furthermore, TI focuses on older technology nodes, instead making cheaper transistors for Automotive and other industrial purposes.

So TI ain't making a 3nm fab here. I'd assume somewhere between 22nm and 90nm. But I'm curious which node they chose.
Posted on Reply
#5
PCL
dragontamer5788Did they release which process node they're aiming for?

300mm is the headline for a reason. A lot of what companies use are 200mm or even smaller, which is 50% less chip per... processing step... because 200mm diameter is 31400 mm^2 while 300mm is 70650 mm^2. Furthermore, TI focuses on older technology nodes, instead making cheaper transistors for Automotive and other industrial purposes.

So TI ain't making a 3nm fab here. I'd assume somewhere between 22nm and 90nm. But I'm curious which node they chose.
My money's on 28, but I'd love to be surprised and find out 14 is considered the new "workhorse".
Posted on Reply
#6
Minus Infinity
I would want my plant to be more than 300mm. Not much room for growth.
Posted on Reply
#7
tussinman
TheLostSwedeWatch the video, they have a short segment on it. That said, I still don't get why so many companies are building fabs in desert.
Probably significantly cheaper land cost and wages
Posted on Reply
#8
TheLostSwede
News Editor
tussinmanProbably significantly cheaper land cost and wages
How would wages be cheaper when you have to relocate people to get enough competent staff to work at the fab?
Did you read any of the news about the Intel or TSMC Arizona fabs?
And what good is land if you can't get sufficient water and electricity supply?
Posted on Reply
#9
Fourstaff
TheLostSwedeHow would wages be cheaper when you have to relocate people to get enough competent staff to work at the fab?
Did you read any of the news about the Intel or TSMC Arizona fabs?
And what good is land if you can't get sufficient water and electricity supply?
Maybe they made a deal with the Mormon overlords? /s

I would think they have done their maths, 11 bln is not pocket change. They have existing operations there so its not greenfield.
Posted on Reply
#10
TheLostSwede
News Editor
FourstaffMaybe they made a deal with the Mormon overlords? /s

I would think they have done their maths, 11 bln is not pocket change. They have existing operations there so its not greenfield.
Well, at least in this case, TI was already established on the location as you say, so it might be easier for them than Intel and TSMC. Even so, you need to find people willing to work shift jobs at the fabs and that's apparently not that easy.

At least it looks like they've got some more land to build on there.

Posted on Reply
#11
Fourstaff
TheLostSwedeWell, at least in this case, TI was already established on the location as you say, so it might be easier for them than Intel and TSMC. Even so, you need to find people willing to work shift jobs at the fabs and that's apparently not that easy.

At least it looks like they've got some more land to build on there.

If I am in their shoes, I will overstaff the existing LFAB1 and use it as training in preparation for LFAB2 when its ready. So its not that bad in terms of ramping up. Then again I am not in the manufacturing sector, so what do I know about ramping up a new factory.
Posted on Reply
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