Founded in 1968, Intel is a global leader in chip manufacture, supplying microprocessors for computer system manufacturers such as Lenovo, HP, Acer, and Dell. It also manufactures motherboard chipsets, network interface controllers and integrated circuits, embedded processors, and other devices related to communications and computing.

Intel is currently transitioning to a foundry-style model with the company's manufacturing group to achieve cost-savings and efficiency, hoping to save between $8 billion to $10 billion by 2025.

Intel has a large geographical spread of semiconductor manufacturing fabs in the US, Ireland, Israel and China. It also has advanced packaging capabilities in New Mexico, Costa Rica and Malaysia. The company is expanding in several locations, including Fab 52 and 62 adding to the Arizona campus, a $20 billion investment in Ohio, and a planned investment of 30 billion euros in Magdeburg, Germany.

Water Strategy

Intel has a net-positive water target for 2030, which means it must conserve 60 billion gallons of water through water management operations, and through partnerships with municipalities. 'Net-positive' water means that it must restore more freshwater than consumed by operations, and as such Intel embarks on project restoring water to local water sheds.

Through engineered water conservation and recycling projects – as well as investment in 44 restoration projects up to 2023 – Intel has achieved or made significant progress towards net water positivity in several regions.

In 2023, Intel collaborated with equipment supplier SCREEN to modify tool design at its Oregon fab to segregate, treat and recirculate ozonated water. Repetition of this project across global factory networks is expected to conserve at least 5 billion gallons (19 million m3) more water by 2030.

Intel’s mega-campus in Arizona was s the first US semiconductor site to receive Alliance for Water Stewardship Platinum certification in 2023, showing dedication to solving water challenges in the desert. From 2021 to 2023, its 12-acre onsite plant has treated or reused 4 billion gallons (15 million m3) of water, employing treatment systems including biological nutrient removal and membrane bioreactors. The facility’s high-quality permeate blends with the City of Chandler’s water supply, improving local irrigation and crop production.

At the operational level, Intel has recently embarked on a number of projects to improve water reuse. For example, at its Ronler Acre Campus in Oregon, it has installed recovery cabinets to capture excess ultrapure water which can be recycled back to the tools.