GlobalFoundries Breaks Ground on Malta Fab
The 300mm semiconductor fab is funded through a U.S.-Japan initiative with up to $21 billion in total support.
Updated on Nov. 13, 2026 in Semiconductors
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GlobalFoundries broke ground on a new 300mm semiconductor fab in Malta, New York, the first of two planned fabs at the site. Japan is providing approximately $10 billion for the first fab under the U.S.-Japan initiative, supported by $570 million in New York State incentives.
Why it matters
The project expands domestic chip manufacturing capacity and anchors semiconductor production in upstate New York. The two-fab plan reflects a broader push to build advanced chip production in the United States rather than relying on overseas facilities.
The first fab is projected to add approximately 900,000 300mm wafers of annual U.S. manufacturing capacity once fully operational. Projections for the two-fab initiative remain estimates tied to the planned 2029 start and the successful buildout of both facilities.
The players
GlobalFoundries
A semiconductor manufacturer that produces chips for a range of customers and operates fabs in the United States, Europe and Asia.
The details
GlobalFoundries was selected on October 14, 2026, as technology provider and operator for two new fabs at Malta, with Japan providing the investment while GlobalFoundries contributes its technologies, manufacturing expertise and operational capabilities. The groundbreaking on November 13, 2026, marks the start of construction on the first 300mm fab, which is accelerating with an initial investment of approximately $10 billion. The company is also working with schools, colleges, universities and workforce development organizations to build semiconductor talent.
Timeline
October 14, 2026: GlobalFoundries is selected as technology provider and operator for two new Malta fabs.
November 13, 2026: Groundbreaking ceremony held in Malta, New York.
2029: The first fab is expected to come online.
Roadmap
The Malta groundbreaking is the first concrete project under the U.S.-Japan initiative, which provides up to $21 billion in funding. It shows that the initiative is moving from funding commitments into physical fab construction in New York.
The project is expected to create about 27,000 construction and ecosystem jobs and more than 1,000 high-skilled manufacturing jobs in the region. Residents of the Capital Region and Upstate New York may see employment opportunities as construction and operations ramp up through the decade.
The takeaway
The Malta fab shows how public incentives and foreign investment can be combined to build advanced chip capacity in the United States. Workforce pipelines through local schools and colleges will determine how quickly those jobs can be filled.
What happens next
The first Malta fab is expected to come online in 2029, when its planned annual output of approximately 900,000 300mm wafers is scheduled to begin.
Further reading
For more on the chip industry's buildout, explore Semiconductors coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Manila times.
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