Industry Expert Blogs

There has been debate for decades about whether it matters or not having a fab capability in a region.

The issue arises again with the Asian fabs taking the lead in process technology.

Back in the ‘80s Pasquale Pistorio persuaded the EU authorities that every region of the world needed controlled access to silicon.

The issue arises again with the Asian fabs taking the lead in process technology.

Back in the ‘80s Pasquale Pistorio persuaded the EU authorities that every region of the world needed controlled access to silicon.

That was achieved, but was allowed to, let slip and an attempt to revive it by Nellie Kroes was sunk by the industry.

On the whole, Europe no longer cares about lack of controlled access to silicon.

But the Americans do. A US Congressional Report finds that 91% of the world’s silicon wafer fab capacity is outside the US.

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