GlobalFoundries Selected for Two Malta Fabs Under Up-to-US$21 Billion Japan Initiative
Japan-backed plans would expand Malta chip production; a separate US$955 million CHIPS amendment targets photonics, SiGe and advanced packaging.
At a glance
GlobalFoundries announced on October 14 that it was selected as technology provider and operator for two semiconductor fabs at its Malta, New York, site under a U.S.–Japan initiative providing up to US$21 billion of funding. Japan would supply the investment, with GlobalFoundries contributing technology and manufacturing operations.
Approximately US$10 billion would accelerate the first 300mm fab, expected online in 2029. Another approximately US$10 billion would support a second fab. GlobalFoundries expects to break ground on the first facility later in 2026 and describes the site as permitted and shovel-ready; the two facilities are not yet operating.
The initiative covers foundational semiconductor demand in automotive, industrial and connected-infrastructure markets, rather than being described as dedicated GPU production.
Separately, GlobalFoundries and the U.S. Commerce Department agreed to amend the company’s CHIPS award, reallocating US$955 million toward silicon photonics, silicon-germanium and advanced packaging in Malta and Burlington, Vermont. GlobalFoundries links those technologies to communications and data centers. Commerce would receive approximately four percent equity under another agreement; that is separate from Japan’s funding.
GlobalFoundries announcement — October 14, 2026 · AI Infrastructure. Source reviewed October 15, 2026.
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Read story →What happens next
GlobalFoundries said it expected to break ground on the first Malta fab later in 2026, with event details to be announced separately; the first fab is expected online in 2029.
Source for this milestone →Why it matters for the industry
The initiative would add two major semiconductor fabs and substantial construction and supply-chain demand. The announcement does not identify a current open contractor solicitation or award.
Supporting source →Sources & reporting
- GlobalFoundries: U.S.-Japan Malta fab initiative · October 14, 2026
Sources checked 2026-11-02.