Intel has announced that its 18A process node has entered risk production, marking a pivotal milestone in the company’s roadmap to reclaim leadership in semiconductor manufacturing. This phase involves early, low-volume manufacturing runs aimed at validating the process technology before scaling up to high-volume production.
The 18A process node is central to Intel’s ambitious “five nodes in four years” strategy, which seeks to accelerate advancements in semiconductor fabrication. Kevin O’Buckley, Senior Vice President of Intel Foundry Services, emphasized the significance of this development during the Vision 2025 conference, stating that risk production indicates the technology has reached a point where it is being “frozen” for further scaling.
Panther Lake, Intel’s forthcoming processor lineup, is slated to be the first to utilize the 18A process. Production for Panther Lake is expected to commence later this year, with availability projected for the first quarter of 2026. Jim Johnson, Senior Vice President of Intel’s Client Computing Group, highlighted Panther Lake’s design, noting that it combines the power efficiency of Lunar Lake with the performance of Arrow Lake, and is built to scale on 18A.
This advancement comes amid a period of transformation for Intel under the leadership of CEO Lip-Bu Tan. Tan has articulated a vision centered on engineering excellence and customer-centricity, aiming to revitalize Intel’s position in the semiconductor industry. The company has also been restructuring its manufacturing and AI operations, with plans to produce semiconductors for external clients, including Nvidia and Broadcom.
Despite facing financial challenges, including its first annual loss since 1986, Intel’s progress with the 18A process node and the anticipated launch of Panther Lake signal a concerted effort to regain competitiveness. The company’s ability to attract major clients to its foundry services and deliver on its process technology roadmap will be critical factors in determining its future success in the semiconductor market.
