Intermolecular to build new r&d centre in California
Driven by business growth in semiconductors and clean energy
Intermolecular, a US specialist in high productivity combinatorial (HPC) technology, will relocate to larger premises in San Jose, California in 2011 as a response to rapid growth over the past three years and increasing demand for r&d programmes in the semiconductor and clean energy sectors.
The new facility will provide more than 140,000ft2 of offices and laboratories, offering a 300% increase in cleanroom space to house a state-of-the-art HPC r&d centre.
The centre will incorporate Intermolecular’s proprietary combinatorial processing equipment, metrology and characterisation tools, electrical test equipment, various semiconductor high-volume manufacturing tools and other infrastructure.
‘After doubling in size over the last three years, and with many new projects on the horizon, we simply need more space to meet market demand and to further expand our development infrastructure,’ said David Lazovsky, Intermolecular president and chief executive.
‘We’re experiencing accelerating growth with semiconductor companies in the Flash memory, DRAM and foundry sectors, as well as with materials and equipment suppliers serving the semiconductor industry.’
Intermolecular’s clean energy technologies group activity is also ramping up, with the recent signing of a strategic CDP and technology licensing agreement with Guardian Industries of Auburn Hills, Michigan to develop jointly advanced glass coatings for energy and other applications. The new facility will include a dedicated Energy Lab to facilitate the development of photovoltaic and energy-related technologies.
Intermolecular expects to complete the relocation in early 2011.