STMicroelectronics and GlobalFoundries have announced the construction of an electronic component factory in Crolles, in Isère. This will be adjacent to the existing production unit owned by the Franco-Italian semiconductor manufacturer.
If Intel preferred Germany to France to build a mega-factory of electronic components as part of an investment of 17 billion euros, France will console itself with that planned by STMicroelectronics and GlobalFoundries. Indeed, the Franco-Italian semiconductor manufacturer and the American founder have announced the construction of an electronic component factory in Crolles, in Isère. This will be adjacent to the existing production unit owned by STMicroelectronics, and should reach cruising speed in 2026 to produce up to 620,000 electronic chips per year. The information was revealed by Le Figaro Sunday evening, before being confirmed by the two companies on Monday morning.
The announcement of this new factory is part of the Choose France summit, which is being held this Monday, July 11 in Versailles. This event aims to attract foreign investment to French territory. Some 6.7 billion euros of investments divided between 14 projects, with 4,000 permanent jobs at stake, are expected. Since 2018 and the start of the Choose France summits, nearly 80 investment projects, representing 12 billion euros and 21,000 jobs, have been presented.
Europe aims for 20% of global production by 2030
With an overall envelope of 5.7 billion euros, the semiconductor factory promised by STMicroelectronics and GlobalFoundries is by far the largest investment announced this year at this economic summit. A sign of the importance attached to this project, Emmanuel Macron should go to Grenoble this Tuesday, July 12, not far from the future site which will allow France and Europe to strengthen their production capacities of electronic components.
And for good reason, Europe is seeking to reduce its dependence on Asia, which alone accounts for 80% of the world’s production of electronic chips. In this sense, Thierry Breton, European Commissioner for the Internal Market, presented at the beginning of February the Chips Act, a 42 billion euro plan aimed at increasing the EU’s share in the world production of semiconductors to 20% by by 2030, compared to less than 10% today. Thirty years ago, Europe produced 40% of electronic chips worldwide.