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59 min ago 2 min read
Multinational tech firm IBM has signed a letter of intent with the US Department of Commerce to build the first US ‘pure play’ quantum chip foundry.
CHIPS funding totalling $1bn from the department will support the research and development efforts of a new IBM company, Anderon, which will be headquartered in Albany, New York. IBM will also contribute $1bn cash.
The facility will house a 300mm quantum wafer foundry and aims to help the nation solidify its leadership at the centre of a thriving new quantum industry that is estimated to generate up to $850bn in economic value by 2040.
IBM said it has already developed and tested scalable quantum wafer technology, offering a clear pathway to commercialisation.
Anderon plans to tap IBM’s strength in building and deploying quantum computers to offer wafer fabrication for multiple quantum technology vendors globally.
Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick said the strategic quantum technology investments will build on its domestic industry, creating thousands of jobs and advancing American quantum capabilities.
Bill Frauenhofer, Executive Director of Semiconductor Investment and Innovation, said quantum computing has significant implications for national defense, advanced materials and biopharmaceutical discovery, financial modelling and energy systems.
Arvind Krishna, Chairman and CEO of IBM, said its work in silicon wafer fabrication will be critical to enable a broader quantum technology landscape that will reshape global innovation and economic competitiveness.
IBM plans to use its expertise in fabrication tools and specialised talent to help Anderon build a secure, US-based supply of quantum wafers for multiple hardware vendors. Anderon will first support wafer fabrication for superconducting qubit and supporting electronics wafers, with the goal to expand into other quantum modalities.
could spell good news for firms working across their supply chain, including specialty gas suppliers and quantum cooling specialists.
The UK plans to inject more than over the next four years, opening up opportunities in cryogenics and high-purity gas supply.
