American giant builds factory in Germany. There is controversy
Intel begins construction of a new chip factory in Magdeburg. The €30 million investment is controversial among local residents and organizations.
Intel has received the green light to begin construction of a new factory in Magdeburg, a €30 million project to produce advanced computer chips.
Intel is building a factory in Magdeburg
The portal bild.de reports that the first construction works, including excavation for the foundations, have already been approved. Although the project is still waiting for full approval from the European Union, early work can start thanks to this decision. Intel has already received 10 billion euros in subsidies for this purpose.
The planned development has sparked 13 formal objections, including a petition signed by 2,235 people. Organizations such as Naturschutzbund NABU and Bund für Umwelt und Naturschutz Deutschland (BUND) and residents of the Burgstall commune have expressed concerns about water supply, soil protection and threats to local fauna. Intel intends to remove around 1.8 million tons of soil, the equivalent of 80,000 trucks.
Intel said it takes these concerns seriously. A company spokesman said that if final approval is not forthcoming, the company would commit to restoring the site to its original condition, which could mean filling in the excavations and abandoning the project.
Intel’s Magdeburg plant is set to produce chips just 1.5 nanometers in size. For comparison, one centimeter is ten million nanometers.
The authorities have imposed a number of requirements on Intel regarding soil protection, nature, waste regulations and building regulations. The project aims to create modern chips, comparable to those produced in Intel’s Irish factory.
Intel’s plans for Poland
Intel also plans to build a semiconductor assembly and test facility in Poland, near Wroclaw, Poland, for a $4.6 billion investment. The facility is intended to meet growing demand for assembly and test capacity in Europe. Operations are expected to begin by 2027, creating 2,000 new jobs. The Polish facility will work with the Magdeburg facility.
In the Polish plant, silicon wafers will be cut into single integrated circuits, which will then undergo tests to assess their performance and quality. After passing the tests, these circuits will be processed into final products and shipped to customers. Processors manufactured in Poland will go to stores.