Intel wants help at Kiryat Gat chip plant

CHIPMAKER Intel wants to increase the size of its chip plant in southern Israel and is asking for a government contribution towards the $4.8bn it wants to spend as it retools its systems for new fab lines.

Having already secured investment in February of this year, Intel is back at it, and now Reuters reports that the donation bowl has found its way back to the Israeli Industry and Trade Ministry, which revealed the news Sunday.

"The ministry said the chipmaker plans a $4.8 billion expansion and technology upgrade to produce wafers with 15-nanometre technology at its Fab 28 chip plant in Israel's southern town of Kiryat Gat," reported Reuters.

Intel has already had a grant from the Israeli government to aid it at the plant, which has already undergone a lot of refurbishment. Chipzilla plans to increase the workforce by about 1,300 as the site grows.

Previous upgrades, which were pegged at around $2.7bn, saw the fabs upgraded to begin producing 22 nanometer chips. µ