Intel buys into chip tool firm

INTEL has bought a four per cent stake in ASM International, a firm which supplies the chip maker with some of the equipment and tools used for making chips.

President of Intel Capital, Arvind Sodhani, said the investment in ASMI, "is part of Intel Capital's strategy to foster innovation that aligns with Intel's manufacturing technology roadmap."

"Equipment and materials innovation is critical to enabling new capabilities in semiconductor device manufacturing," he said.

He didn't say the firm has half an eye on competition from the IBM Alliance, which can make use of ex-AMD fabs now managed by the Floundry Company. µ