Intel's 18A-P process is now in risk production for external customers, marking a critical test for its usability by outside clients. The company is adding a 5 billion euro expansion for Intel Xeon 6 on Intel 3, indicating a clear capacity shortage and Intel's role as a swing producer. Additionally, Intel is ramping mask production for external customers for the first time with a new Bowers campus addition and has secured additional long-term agreements (LTAs), potentially with Google Cloud.
Intel is aggressively expanding its foundry capacity for both leading-edge and mature nodes, increasing competition and offering a new domestic supply option for AI chips.