Intel acquired IMS firm in 2015
Intel has agreed to promote a ten% stake in its IMS Nanofabrication enterprise to Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC) for roughly $4.3 billion. The deal, anticipated to shut within the fourth quarter of this yr, leaves Intel as the bulk proprietor of the unit.
Intel acquired IMS in 2015. The Austrian fab firm is a number one producer of multi-beam masks writing instruments, a chip manufacturing element generally known as “high-NA” excessive ultraviolet gear that’s required for the quick manufacturing of AI and cellular chips. Earlier this yr, Intel bought a 20% stake within the enterprise to Bain Capital on the similar valuation.
Lately, Intel terminated a $5.4 billion deal to amass Israel-based chip firm Tower Semiconductor, citing regulatory hurdles. The deal, introduced in February 2022, was meant to assist scale Intel’s foundry providers and was anticipated to shut inside 12 months of being made public.
Regardless of some setbacks, nonetheless, the corporate is constant to develop its Intel Foundry Companies (IFS) enterprise, introduced in March 2021. The enterprise unit had an impressive second quarter this yr, reporting a income of $232 million, a big enhance from the $57 million reported final yr. In line with Intel, the rise in gross sales is the results of “superior packaging,” which allowed the corporate to mix items of chips made by one other firm to create a extra highly effective chip.
Whereas Intel Foundry Companies is a competitor for TSMC, the Taiwanese firm has been a long-term associate of IMS, offering an inexpensive path for the minority stake acquisition.
“This funding demonstrates the deep trade collaboration IMS is pioneering to advance vital lithography know-how for modern nodes, which is able to profit the complete semiconductor manufacturing ecosystem,” commented Matt Poirier, senior vice chairman of company improvement at Intel. “With enhanced independence, IMS can be properly positioned to handle the numerous progress alternative for multi-beam masks writing instruments over the following decade and past.”
