Editor’s Note
This article details a landmark €2.35 billion investment to establish a chip components factory in Trujillo, Cáceres. It represents a major strategic move for Spain’s technology and semiconductor sectors.
The town of Trujillo will be the site for one of Spain’s most significant technological investments.
according to details from the Ministry of Digital Transformation. The operation involves the Spanish Society for Technological Transformation (SETT) and Diamond Foundry, a US company in which Leonardo DiCaprio is a minority shareholder.
The Council of Ministers confirmed that SETT will contribute “752 million euros,” a decision that places the country among the world leaders in diamond substrates for semiconductors. Authorities highlight that the facility will employ technology based on synthetic diamonds for high-performance applications.
The new plant will produce key materials for the next generation of chips, including industrial-use monocrystalline diamonds.
the ministry details. This advancement positions Spain at the global forefront of high-efficiency semiconductors.
Diamond Foundry already operates in Trujillo, where it produces monocrystalline diamond ingots identical to natural ones for precision applications. With this expansion,
states the official documentation.
The plant will integrate cutting, lapping, polishing, and inspection processes to guarantee the extreme quality of the wafers, which are fundamental for high-performance chips. The goal is to supply sectors such as automotive, defense, and global microelectronics manufacturers.
The project will expand current production capabilities with new lines dedicated to the complete processing of wafers.
the ministry specifies.
Monocrystalline diamonds will be used as a next-generation semiconductor substrate. According to the Government, this material
Its performance will enable the manufacture of more efficient chips with lower energy consumption, an aspect the industry considers key for the next decade. Diamond Foundry assures that the facility will be “cutting-edge globally” and will supply major companies in the technology sector.
The economic effect will be significant. According to official calculations,
Furthermore,
will be generated. These figures make the investment one of the largest industrial drivers for Extremadura in decades. The project is also part of the Perte Chip, designed to strengthen the Spanish microelectronics industry.
Rafael Benjumea, president of Diamond Foundry Spain, assured that the government’s decision promotes a project that is “absolutely novel” worldwide and places Spain at the “center of global diamond production for microelectronics.”
Political repercussions were not long in coming. Elena Manzano, spokesperson for the Extremadura Regional Government, warned that the community wants “certainties” because it is “tired” of announcements that do not materialize.
Even so, Diamond Foundry maintains that the project will increase the energy efficiency of microchips and improve processing speed. Benjumea emphasized that the plan will allow for the creation of essential components for “the microchips of the future.”
From the Government’s perspective, the investment is interpreted as a strategic boost that places Spain on the global map of semiconductor design and manufacturing.
