Switzerland-based STMicroelectronics, a multinational electronics and semiconductors manufacturer, and US-based semiconductor contract manufacturer GlobalFoundries are to establish a joint manufacturing facility in Crolles, south-east France. The companies will expand their existing site, which currently employs 4,700 staff, by adding a further 1,000 engineers and technicians. The newly expanded facility is expected to reach full capacity in 2026, with up to 620,000 300mm wafers being produced each year.

Jean-Marc Chery, president and CEO of STMicroelectronics, explained in a company press release: “This new manufacturing facility will support our $20bn-plus revenue ambition. Working with GlobalFoundries will allow us to go faster, lower the risk thresholds, and reinforce the European FD-SOI ecosystem. We will have more capacity to support our European and global customers as they transition to digitalisation and decarbonisation.”

STMicroelectronics and GlobalFoundries will receive funding from the French government. The project is one of 14 selected under the Choose France programme, which will invest a total of $6.75bn (€6.75bn) and create 4,000 jobs.