March 31, 2025 /SemiMedia/ — Intel plans to commence high-volume manufacturing (HVM) of 3nm (Intel 3) chips at its Fab 34 facility in Leixlip, Ireland, in 2025. This marks the company's second major production site for the node, following its Oregon operations, as it expands its advanced process technology footprint globally.

Intel 3, the company’s second-generation EUV node, delivers an 18% performance-per-watt improvement over Intel 4. The process is available for foundry customers and is being used to manufacture next-generation Xeon 6 scalable server processors. Given Europe's limited access to cutting-edge semiconductor technology, Intel sees its Intel 3 foundry services as a key competitive advantage.

To fund its expansion, Intel sold part of Fab 34 to private equity firm Apollo last year. The company is also advancing multiple foundry nodes, including Intel 4, Intel 3, and Intel 18A, while co-developing a 12nm process with UMC. In 2025, Intel aims to begin HVM of its Panther Lake processors on the Intel 18A node at its Arizona facilities, with Intel 14A expected to launch in 2026.

However, Intel’s European expansion faces hurdles, as its planned wafer fab in Magdeburg, Germany, and packaging plant in Poland remain on hold. Additionally, following the ousting of Pat Gelsinger in 2024, new CEO Justin Hotard’s strategy for Intel’s advanced manufacturing and foundry business remains under close watch.