Applied Materials unveils $5 billion semiconductor R&D center

Applied Materials has unveiled its EPIC Center (Equipment and Process Innovation and Commercialization) in Sunnyvale, California. The facility is designed to be one of the world’s largest joint research and development hubs for semiconductor technology, aiming to accelerate the transition from R&D to mass production.

The company plans to invest approximately $5 billion in the center, scaling up investment as customer development projects progress. The facility spans roughly 56,000 square meters, including 16,000 square meters of advanced cleanroom space. By conducting material research, equipment development, and pilot production within a single site, the center aims to shorten development cycles and optimize manufacturing processes.

Major founding partners include TSMC, Intel, SK hynix, Micron Technology, and Samsung Electronics. Innovation partners include Broadcom, Advantest, SCREEN Holdings, Kioxia, and BE Semiconductor Industries (Besi). Additionally, several academic institutions, including Stanford University and UC Berkeley, will participate as research partners to bridge fundamental research with industrial application.