US Allocates $50 Million to HP's Microfluidics Semiconductor Fab
The US Department of Commerce has committed up to $50 million to HP for expanding its microfluidics semiconductor fabrication facility in Corvallis, Oregon. The funding, part of the CHIPS and Science Act, aims to enhance domestic semiconductor capabilities critical for life sciences and AI.
HP's Corvallis fab is central to its “lab-to-fab” ecosystem, which integrates research, development, and commercial manufacturing. The investment will help HP advance its microfluidics and MEMS technologies, crucial for producing silicon devices used in drug discovery, single-cell research, and lab equipment.
The initiative is expected to generate around 150 construction jobs and over 100 manufacturing positions, with Andersen Construction leading the build. HP is also collaborating with local colleges on training programs to develop a skilled workforce for the expanded facility. The company plans to utilize the Treasury’s Investment Tax Credit, covering up to 25% of eligible capital expenses.
This move comes as global semiconductor investment heats up, with the European Semiconductor Manufacturing Company recently starting a €10 billion fab project in Dresden, Germany, backed by €5 billion in state aid under the European Chips Act. The competition underscores the race to strengthen semiconductor supply chains and innovation on both sides of the Atlantic.
Topics: Manufacturing & Pharma 4.0
