[HN Gopher] Bosch opens German chip plant
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Bosch opens German chip plant
Author : nixass
Score : 55 points
Date : 2021-06-08 22:01 UTC (58 minutes ago)
(HTM) web link (www.reuters.com)
(TXT) w3m dump (www.reuters.com)
| coolspot wrote:
| 1B is like three last-gen ASML machines, good start I guess, but
| chip manufacturing can easily absorb 10x of that.
|
| As I understand it, there are no plans to turn Europe into a chip
| leader, they just want to protect automotive supply chain.
| brnt wrote:
| This factory won't be purchasing last gen stuff, more like 10
| year old gen machines (I heard 25ish nm machines).
| kenhwang wrote:
| Other sources[1] say its 65nm, and the chips won't even be
| used for automotive purposes.
|
| [1]: https://www.electronicsweekly.com/news/business/bosch-
| opens-...
| sorenjan wrote:
| Here's a source from Bosch themselves saying "up to 65 nm",
| which I assume means 65 nm as the smallest feature. They're
| making "Application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs),
| and power semiconductors" mainly for the automotive
| industry, so they're probably counting on that being
| enough. And what a great time to start production.
|
| https://www.bosch-presse.de/pressportal/de/en/300-mm-
| wafer-f...
| stefan_ wrote:
| No ones using last-gen for automotive.
| coolspot wrote:
| I was just establishing frame of reference for the investment
| amout.
|
| 1B is barely news-worthy.
| bellyfullofbac wrote:
| The last 3 paragraphs confirms what I think is the most
| interesting point:
|
| > The Bosch plant, which received 200 million euros ($243
| million) in state aid under a European Union investment scheme,
| will start making chips for power tools in July, with output of
| automotive chips to follow from September.
|
| > "The state-of-the-art technology in Bosch's new semiconductor
| factory in Dresden shows what outstanding results can be achieved
| when industry and government join forces," said European
| Commission Vice-President Margrethe Vestager.
|
| > Kroeger said Bosch supported a broader strategic push by
| Brussels to revive Europe's semiconductor industry. A recently
| unveiled plan targets doubling the region's share of global chip
| production to 20% by 2030.
|
| I saw a Guardian headline the other day that said Biden's mission
| at the G7 meeting is to find allies for a new Cold War against
| China[1], but the USA isn't actually a reliable partner for the
| EU, what with Trump 2024 a scenario they can't even rule out yet
| (thanks to the obstructionist party still being very influential
| and working very hard to disenfranchise voters). So it makes
| sense for the EU to ramp up chip production.
|
| Interestingly for Bosch or other tech companies, it's probably a
| no-lose scenario, the EU money will probably keep coming for
| them.
|
| [1] I DDGed "Biden new cold war" but the results are headlines
| that say he's accelerating it...
| fidesomnes wrote:
| > thanks to the obstructionist party still being very
| influential and working very hard to disenfranchise voters.
|
| Fantastic. Thanks for reminding me to vote for them a third
| time in a row.
| dmix wrote:
| Curious you're focusing on US (politics) and not
| China/Taiwan/SEA... is that really relevant considering they
| have enough capital and Germany has plenty of manufacturing?
|
| The only thing relevant for the US re risking starting this
| niche is brain drain and talent. The market is always growing,
| they already have vertical demand (power tools and simple car
| chips), and new more-local competition can never be dismissed.
|
| It always comes down to the people at the end of the day. Your
| 2nd paragraph quote where they are declaring this a successful
| example of public/private just because the factory was built is
| a bit concerning to me. They've mearly just begun.
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(page generated 2021-06-08 23:00 UTC)