GlobalWafers Co., Ltd. has officially inaugurated FAB300, its new 300mm semiconductor wafer manufacturing plant at MEMC Electronic Materials S.p.A. in Novara, Italy. The company describes FAB300 as one of Europe’s most advanced and fully integrated 300mm silicon wafer facilities.

The inauguration ceremony was attended by Italy’s Minister of Enterprises and Made in Italy, Adolfo Urso, Senator Gaetano Nastri, Member of the European Parliament Isabella Tovaglieri, Novara Mayor Alessandro Canelli, and Vincent Y.C. Tsai from the Taipei Representative Office in Italy. Representatives from the Piedmont Region, along with customers, suppliers, and partners, also joined the event, marking a major milestone for the European semiconductor industry.

GlobalWafers Chairperson Doris Hsu emphasized that FAB300 represents more than just a production site. She described it as a symbol of innovation, sustainability, and shared growth, reflecting the skill and dedication of the company’s Italian team. According to Hsu, the new facility will enable closer collaboration with customers to co-develop advanced technologies and support Europe’s growing semiconductor ecosystem.

The Novara site has produced silicon wafers since 1976. In February 2022, GlobalWafers announced a €450 million expansion to add this new 300mm fabrication module, reinforcing its long-term commitment to Europe. FAB300 has received €103 million in R&D funding through the Important Project of Common European Interest on Microelectronics and Communication Technologies (IPCEI-ME/CT), a joint initiative between the Italian government and the European Union to strengthen the continent’s semiconductor capabilities.

Senator Gaetano Nastri highlighted that the project marks a crucial step for Italy and Europe, calling investments in the semiconductor supply chain “investments in the future.” Member of the European Parliament Isabella Tovaglieri added that FAB300 strengthens Italy’s position as an innovation leader and contributes to Europe’s technological independence.

The new facility was developed in partnership with major European microelectronics companies to ensure alignment with customer requirements and strategic priorities. STMicroelectronics praised GlobalWafers’ decision to invest in Novara, noting the site’s proximity to its own operations and its contribution to supply chain resilience.

Despite global economic challenges, GlobalWafers has remained committed to its European operations. The completion of FAB300 adds significant new manufacturing capacity and will create up to 150 high-skilled jobs. Novara Mayor Alessandro Canelli noted that the investment reinforces the city’s industrial heritage and demonstrates how innovation can drive both growth and employment.

Working in synergy with its Merano crystal growth facility, GlobalWafers now operates one of Europe’s few fully integrated 300mm silicon wafer value chains, spanning from crystal growth to finished wafers. Once fully ramped, FAB300 will produce 300mm polished and epitaxial wafers for advanced logic, memory, power, and sensor applications. The site will run entirely on renewable energy under the RE100 standard, with a focus on water recycling and sustainable manufacturing practices.

Marco Sciamanna, President of MEMC Electronic Materials S.p.A., said FAB300 represents the result of vision, competence, and strong collaboration among GlobalWafers’ teams, institutions, and partners. He noted that the site will serve as both a cutting-edge semiconductor facility and a model of sustainable growth for the future.

Minister Adolfo Urso stated that the inauguration confirms Italy’s growing leadership in the semiconductor sector and its contribution to Europe’s drive for technological sovereignty. He emphasized the importance of collaboration between industry, education, and research to strengthen competitiveness and prepare for future challenges.

The FAB300 project involved hundreds of suppliers, equipment manufacturers, and engineering firms, strengthening the entire Piedmont region’s position in the global semiconductor value chain. GlobalWafers also continues to collaborate with universities and research institutions to develop talent and foster innovation.

The opening of FAB300 follows the launch of GlobalWafers America in Sherman, Texas, earlier in 2025. Together, these facilities demonstrate the company’s commitment to geographic diversification and global cooperation with governments and customers.

Chairperson Hsu concluded that Novara now stands at the center of GlobalWafers’ European innovation strategy. She said FAB300 enhances Europe’s role in the global semiconductor landscape and exemplifies the company’s integrated, regionally anchored manufacturing approach. Through its advanced facilities across Asia, Europe, and the United States, GlobalWafers aims to provide a reliable, sustainable, and globally coordinated supply of 300mm silicon wafers for the technologies that will define the future.

Original – GlobalWafers