[News] Intel Reportedly Starts Glass Substrate Licensing, Offering Potential Boost to Samsung and Absolics

According to South Korean outlet ETNews, citing industry sources, Intel has begun licensing its semiconductor glass substrate technology, enabling other companies to use it. The company is reportedly in talks with several glass substrate makers as well as materials, parts, and equipment suppliers, and is considering granting rights for a set period under defined conditions in return for royalties.

As the report highlights, this marks a strategic shift in Intel’s glass substrate business. Rather than prioritizing in-house production, the company is now expected to rely more heavily on external suppliers.

The report also notes that Intel is unlikely to abandon glass substrate adoption altogether. Instead, its licensing strategy could pave the way for new collaborations. With major players such as Samsung Electronics, AMD, Broadcom, and Amazon already committed to adopting glass substrates, industry expectations are that Intel will follow suit, as the report indicates.

In the meantime, with mass production not anticipated until 2030, Intel appears to be turning to licensing as a way to monetize its technology. As the report points out, the company’s ongoing struggles in foundry operations are widely viewed as a key factor behind this shift.

Market Impact: Intel’s Licensing Push Could Fast-Track Glass Substrates

Intel’s new direction is also expected to reshape competition in the glass substrate market. Instead of competing as a manufacturer, Intel may reenter the field as a customer—creating opportunities for suppliers such as Samsung Electro-Mechanics and Absolics, according to the report.

In addition, the report highlights that Intel’s move could accelerate industrywide commercialization of glass substrates. With its sizable patent portfolio becoming available, latecomers may be able to advance their development at a faster pace, the report notes.

Industry Players Race to Commercialize Glass Substrates

Global players are stepping up efforts to commercialize glass substrates. According to ETNews last month, Absolics—a subsidiary of SKC—is ramping up production, while a May report by The Korea Herald notes the company aims to complete mass production preparations by the end of 2025 and is expected to be the first to commercialize glass substrates. The company has already begun prototype production at its Georgia, U.S. facility, which has an annual capacity of 12,000 square meters.

Other companies are moving quickly as well. The Korea Herald, citing sources, reports that Samsung plans to adopt glass substrate interposers for advanced semiconductors by 2028 to “meet customer demands,” and has already begun operating a pilot line at its Sejong facility.

Read more

• [News] Intel’s Chip Packaging Expert Jumps to Samsung Amid Reported Glass Substrate Retreat
• [News] Absolics Reportedly Ramps Up Glass Substrate Output, Mass Production Expected by Year-End
• [News] Intel Reportedly Considering Dropping Glass Substrate Project, Eyes External Sourcing

(Photo credit: Intel)