Front-end semiconductor equipment maker Lam Research has broken ground on its Tualatin, Oregon, lab, where it will expand cleanroom lab space by more than 50% at its Oregon facility when completed.
The move comes after Lam Research announced it would spend about $3 billion to invest in a global lab network over the next five years for the creation of equipment used to make advanced AI chips.
The new 120,000-square-foot facility will be used for expanded experimentation and accelerated solution development. Lam said it plans to make the Oregon facility one of the most advanced labs in the world by increasing capacity and capabilities.
The company called the expansion the biggest investment in Oregon to date.
The lab will be used to develop new technologies for atomic-scale semiconductor manufacturing including advanced deposition and etch process development, materials science and hardware validation. The lab will also join Lam’s integrated specialized lab network that will operate together 24/7 in parallel and at scale, the company said.
“Our new advanced Oregon lab is expected to deepen our specialized capabilities and add tens of thousands of square feet of valuable cleanroom space, enabling even closer collaboration with customers while strengthening the expertise and reach of our global lab network,” the company said. “This expansion reflects our continuing commitment to advancing the Silicon Forest as a leader in U.S. semiconductor innovation.”
Lam Research said the Oregon lab is projected to open in 2028 and is part of a planned multi-building expansion at the Tualatin campus. The entire project is expected to create about 900 jobs and $500 million in economic output, the company said.
