Intel rules out Brexit and is studying EU options for new chip factories

MADRID, October 7 (European press) –

American microprocessor manufacturer Intel is not considering setting up a new chip production plant in the UK, after the British country decided to leave the European Union (EU), while the multinational runs alternatives to boost its capacity in Europe and maintain contacts with the EU.

Speaking to the BBC, Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger acknowledged that before the UK left the EU, the company would have “taken this into account”.

However, the Intel CEO acknowledged that once Brexit is achieved, the multinational is “looking at EU countries and counting on EU support”.

The company revealed last September its plans to increase its production capacity of microprocessors in Europe by building at least two new plants, in which it will invest about 80 thousand million euros in the next ten years.

“I have no idea if we would have a better site in the UK…but we now have about 70 proposals for sites across Europe from a dozen different countries,” Gelsinger added.

In this sense, the CEO expressed confidence in his ability to reach an agreement on the site “before the end of the year”, as well as gain the support of the European Union.

The European Union stressed the need to strengthen the bloc’s technological sovereignty in the face of weaknesses exposed by the pandemic and supply constraints that emerged when global trade was revitalized.

In this way, the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, defended the importance of the EU investing in its “technological sovereignty” and providing the necessary resources “in accordance with its standards and values” for digital transformation.

“We rely on chips manufactured in Asia,” the German lamented last September at the European Parliament in Strasbourg (France), stressing that “it is not only about competitiveness, but also about technological sovereignty.” European chips law proposal.

He explained, “We need to connect our research, design and testing capabilities that are at the forefront globally. We need to coordinate national and EU investments along the value chain,” referring to the goal of “creating a jointly developed ecosystem of European chips” that ensures security of supply and develops new markets for technology leading European.