Intel has announced a €5 billion capital investment at its Leixlip campus in Co. Kildare, marking one of the largest industrial investments in Ireland in recent years and reinforcing the country’s position at the centre of Europe’s advanced semiconductor manufacturing sector.

The investment will upgrade and maximise production capacity at the campus, which manufactures Intel 3 silicon wafers – regarded as Europe’s most advanced semiconductor manufacturing technology. The expansion is designed to meet rapidly growing global demand for artificial intelligence (AI) and high-performance computing processors.

The programme includes the installation of leading-edge manufacturing equipment to support production of Intel Xeon 6 processors and next-generation Xeon products. Intel said the investment will create hundreds of permanent high-tech roles while engaging around 2,000 specialist construction and engineering tradespeople during the delivery phase.

The Leixlip campus, where Intel has invested more than €30 billion since establishing operations in Ireland in 1989, employs approximately 4,900 people and plays a critical role in the company’s global manufacturing network. The latest expansion further strengthens Ireland’s position as a strategic hub for semiconductor manufacturing in Europe.

Naga Chandrasekaran, Executive Vice President, Chief Technology and Operations Officer and General Manager of Intel Foundry said, “This €5 billion investment represents a definitive commitment to maximize capacity at our Leixlip campus and increase what we can deliver to Intel Foundry customers.

“By investing in our existing fabs with state-of-the-art technology and installing cutting-edge tools, we are not just increasing output of critical products like Xeon 6 and next gen Intel Xeon processors built on Intel 3, we are ensuring that Ireland remains at the forefront of the world’s most advanced manufacturing ecosystems, while strengthening the region’s role in the global technology landscape.”

This commitment supports a key pillar to grow and strengthen Ireland’s semiconductor ecosystem, positioning Ireland as a leading European manufacturing hub. It further serves as a critical contribution to the European Union’s Tech-Sovereignty ambitions, facilitating a resilient, domestic supply of leading-edge processors.

Intel has invested more than €30 billion in Ireland since establishing operations in 1989, with the Leixlip campus serving as one of the company’s most advanced manufacturing facilities. The site employs 4,900 people and has been at the forefront of semiconductor innovation, contributing significantly to Ireland’s reputation as a global technology hub.

Welcoming the announcement, An Taoiseach, Micheál Martin T.D. said: “Intel’s latest multi-billion-euro investment in Leixlip is a powerful vote of confidence in Ireland, our skills base and our position at the heart of Europe’s most advanced manufacturing ecosystem. At a time of rapid technological change and global competition, this expansion strengthens Ireland’s role in securing resilient semiconductor supply chains and reinforces our ambition to remain a global leader in innovation, productivity and sustainable economic growth.”

IDA Ireland CEO Michael Lohan said: “Intel is one of Ireland’s longest standing and most strategically important investors. This project demonstrates the value of Ireland’s skilled workforce, innovation ecosystem and stable business environment, while reinforcing Ireland’s leadership in advanced semiconductor manufacturing, supporting both European competitiveness and resilient global supply chains.”

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