Mon, Dec 19, 2022 page11

• Intel delays German chip plant

  Seeking SUBSIDIES: The chipmaker cited geopolitical challenges, industry demand issues, inflation and recession as reasons for increased cost and delay of the project

  • Bloomberg, With AFP
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  Intel Corp is to delay construction of its planned German chip plant and is seeking more in government subsidies, Volksstimme reported.

  The US-based chipmaker earlier this year announced plans for a mega site worth 17 billion euros (US$18 billion) in Magdeburg. Construction was set to begin by the middle of next year, and the German government planned to provide 6.8 billion euros in state aid.

  The cost has risen to 20 billion euros, Volksstimme reported.

  

  The Intel logo is pictured in Hanover, Germany, on March 19, 2017.

  Photo: Reuters

  Intel no longer has a planned start date for construction and wants the German government to increase subsidies, the report said.

  Although Intel has not made any official announcements about a delay, it said in a statement on Saturday that “much has changed” since the company disclosed plans to build in Magdeburg.

  “Geopolitical challenges have become greater, semiconductor demand has declined, and inflation and recession are disrupting the global economy,” the statement said.

  The company is monitoring the situation, and “will pace these investments with the market,” it said. “We cannot predict the market recovery, but we do know it will recover as it always has in the past after a down cycle.”

  The EU has an ambitious goal of producing 20 percent of the world’s chips by 2030.

  The European Chips Act is still moving through the legislative process, but has already prompted a number of companies to make investments, of which Intel was the largest. High energy prices, a market downturn and even subsidies from the US’ Inflation Reduction Act could threaten the plans.

  Meanwhile, former Volkswagen AG chief executive officer Herbert Diess is set to become chairman of the supervisory board at German semiconductor manufacturer Infineon Technologies AG, the company said on Friday.

  Diess “is expected to assume the role,” subject to a vote at an annual general meeting in February, taking over from Wolfgang Eder, Infineon said.

  Eder, who has been in the position since 2019, said Diess was “the ideal candidate to become my successor, touting his “excellent knowledge of the company and of the industry landscape.”

  Infineon last month unveiled plans for a 5 billion euro new factory in the eastern German city of Dresden, as Europe races to reduce its reliance on semiconductors made in Asia.

  A global shortage of semiconductors, spurred by a COVID-19 pandemic boost in demand for consumer electronics, has snarled international supply chains and forced manufacturers to trim production in a range of industries.

  German vehicle manufacturers have been among those hit hard, as semiconductors are a crucial component in both conventional and electric vehicles.

  Diess stood down as chief executive officer of Volkswagen in September, handing the wheel to former Porsche AG chief executive Oliver Blume after four turbulent years in charge.

  Under Diess, Volkswagen became the first legacy vehicle maker to try to follow US upstart Tesla Inc by seeking to develop centralized electronic vehicles.

  However, the drive proved controversial, with critics saying that Diess had moved too fast, while underestimating how complicated it was to shift in-house an operation that was not among the vehicle maker’s core expertise.
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