Intel has officially begun production for 45nm desktop, laptop, and servers processors at its manufacturing factory in Chandler, Arizona, dubbed Fab32. This "Penryn" family of processors are expected to launch 12 November.

Describing the facility as the "most advanced, environmentally friendly manufacturing network in the world" Paul Otellini, Intel president and CEO emphasised the competitive advantages of 45nm: "The magic of 45nm and our new transistor design allow us to deliver high-performance, energy-efficient processors to our customers across the entire spectrum of market segments, from the most powerful servers to a variety of mobile devices and everything in between."

Spanning an area of 1 million square feet - or 17 American football fields, as Intel puts it - Fab 32 is the company's sixth 300mm wafer factory and its second factory to produce 45nm chips. (Intel's Oregon facility, D1D, first saw processor production in January.)

The $3 billion facility is set for high volume production of processors with a 45nm process technology, with the transistors using a Hafnium-based high-k material for the gate dielectric and metal materials for the gate.

Intel will have further 45nm process capabilities with two additional 45nm, 300mm manufacturing factories scheduled to open next year: in Kiryat Gat in Israel (Fab 28) and Rio Rancho in New Mexico.

The advantage of larger wafers is that they can be used to produce more chips more cheaply, with Intel stating that 300mm manufacturing technology consumes 40 per cent less energy and water per chip than a 200mm wafer factory.

Emphasising the company's bid for green credentials, Intel has also announced that it will be seeking certification for the new fab as an official Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED). This is a green building rating system developed by the US Green Building Council which is intended to provide a set of standards for environmentally sustainable construction.

A fact sheet (PDF) entitled "Intel Arizona Environmental Responsibility" can be found on the Intel website.

See also: Electronics Weekly's focus on microprocessors, a roundup of content related to x86 microprocessor technologies and developments.

See also: Electronics Weekly's WEEE Directive In Full Force, a roundup of content related to the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment regulations, and a RoHS special, on the European Directive regarding 'Restriction of Hazardous Substances'.