October 21, 2025 /SemiMedia/ — GlobalWafers officially inaugurated its FAB300 12-inch semiconductor wafer manufacturing facility in Novara, Italy. Operated by its subsidiary MEMC Electronic Materials S.p.A., the fab is among the first in Europe to offer full in-house 12-inch silicon wafer production capabilities.

The FAB300 expansion follows a 2022 announcement of a €450 million investment to enhance the Novara site, which has been producing silicon wafers since 1976. The project demonstrates GlobalWafers’ long-term commitment to strengthening Europe’s semiconductor ecosystem and supply chain resilience.

FAB300 is part of the European Important Project of Common European Interest in Microelectronics and Communication Technology (IPCEI-ME/CT) and received €103 million in R&D funding. The initiative, backed by the Italian government and the European Union, aims to align production capacity with customer demand while supporting Europe’s strategic technological priorities.

The opening of FAB300 marks a key milestone in GlobalWafers’ global semiconductor network. It complements the May 15 inauguration of the company’s flagship GlobalWafers America (GWA) facility in Sherman, Texas, highlighting the firm’s global expansion and strategic partnerships with governments and customers.