Intel, 14 Japanese Firms Partner to Automate Chip Packaging, Cut Geopolitical Risks

May 6, 2024, 04:25 PM

Intel has announced a partnership with 14 Japanese companies to develop technology aimed at automating the 'back-end' processes of chipmaking, such as packaging. This initiative, supported by both the U.S. and Japan, is part of a broader effort to reduce geopolitical risks to supply chains, particularly those associated with the concentration of chip packaging in China and Southeast Asia, where Japan firms hold 30% of the market. The collaboration highlights a strategic shift towards enhancing automation in semiconductor manufacturing, with a focus on mitigating supply chain vulnerabilities.