https://www.tomshardware.com/pc-components/cpus/more-intel-layoffs-are-hitting-this-time-in-israel-company-is-even-considering-dramatic-decision-to-shut-down-fab-28
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@by Sorry, meant to say IS F38.
I often get those two mixed up, but think F34 has a better chance of being retained than the rest of the fabs in IR.
Intel needs the IR site due to the intractable EU trade issues, but has no long term need for any of the non-EUV fabs.
@by The issue with F34 is that it only makes sense to keep if IFS starts picking up meaningful volume.
Might be better to keep Ohio than F34 if they determine that external volume will take 5 to 10 years to ramp up. That is what other foundries have faced in the past.
To be sure, LBT is looking at what is realistically possible within the shorter time span, like less than 5 years, and will want to sell anything that is either lagging node or not useful in that time frame.
IR makes sense to keep, due to the EU, but IS was always more driven by subsidies. Not sure Intel needs those in the immediate future.
AZ is another site that could either bring in Private Equity or possibly carve out the older fabs and sell them to another foundry. Hard to see them being of future use for Intel.
See what happens, but I think that any fab which does not already have EUV, is eventually either sold or shuttered, and that Intel would rather see them sold.
F34 is new Fab.F24 could be sold. Intel need a buyer and willingness to sell.Ireland site would be prime site for takeover if price right.Dont think Intel would sell due to strategic importance in Europe and R&D and European contributions they get not to mention wage and work ethic.
I think that at least F28 (and maybe even F34) are likely to be sold to another foundry.
The need for 7nm is waning and upgrading to EUV would only be based on a level of demand that is hard to foresee any time in the reasonable future.
Intel is selling about $1B of MBLY, so is clearly looking to clean up the balance sheet and the older fabs in IS seem like a good fit for what the company needs to do.
Also looks like the company is at least considering selling NM and the entire glass substrate line.
Ireland older fabs have already been offered for private equity investment and the older fabs in AZ seem to be a similar situation.
These are all perfectly good fabs for a lagging node foundry and Intel is very soon going to have no need for them. Sell them and then buy the wafers from the other foundry till those roadmaps run out.
Blackmail