NORTH CAROLINA, October 21, 2026 — US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick announced a new investment in North Carolina by Sibelco, an industrial minerals mining and processing company, to support semiconductor production. The move comes amid growing efforts to bolster domestic semiconductor manufacturing in the United States.
The Investment in Quartz Manufacturing
Sibelco plans to manufacture silicon from quartz, a process Lutnick described as the foundation of semiconductors. The company’s investment, which Lutnick said would be worth “hundreds of millions of dollars,” was announced during a Trump rally in North Carolina. While no specific figures or timelines were provided, the initiative marks a significant step in the effort to establish a more self-sufficient semiconductor industry.
Broader Context: The CHIPS and Science Act
The investment fits within the framework of the CHIPS and Science Act, signed into law in 2022. The legislation provides $280 billion in funding to boost domestic semiconductor manufacturing, including $39 billion in subsidies for chip manufacturing on U.S. soil. The act aims to strengthen supply chain resilience and reduce reliance on foreign production, particularly in the face of global competition from China.
Implications for the U.S. Semiconductor Supply Chain
The investment by Sibelco is expected to support the U.S. semiconductor supply chain by providing a more stable and secure source of raw materials. Quartz is a critical component in the production of silicon wafers, which are fundamental to semiconductor manufacturing. As ever, the detail that matters is how this investment aligns with broader efforts to bring more of the technical reality of semiconductor production under U.S. control.
Job Creation and Regional Impact
While specific job numbers were not disclosed, the investment is likely to create employment opportunities in North Carolina, a state that has seen increasing interest from semiconductor and tech firms. The region’s infrastructure and existing industrial base make it a strategic location for such an initiative. The move could also encourage further investment in related sectors, potentially boosting the local economy.
International Context And Competition
The announcement of Sibelco’s investment in North Carolina comes at a time when the U.S. is seeking to bolster its position in the global semiconductor market, particularly in relation to China.
According to the CHIPS and Science Act, one of the aims is to counter China by strengthening American supply chain resilience, indicating the level of international competition in the semiconductor industry.
The U.S. effort to increase domestic semiconductor production is part of a broader strategy to reduce reliance on foreign production, especially from countries like China, which has been increasingly active in the semiconductor sector.
Details on the Investment’s Scope and Funding
According to the sources, the investment by Sibelco, as announced by US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, is expected to be worth “hundreds of millions of dollars.” However, no specific figures, timelines, or detailed plans were provided during the announcement at the Trump rally in North Carolina on October 20, 2026. The investment is part of a broader initiative to support the domestic production of silicon from quartz, a critical step in semiconductor manufacturing.
Lutnick emphasized that the investment would focus on building silicon manufacturing capabilities, specifically through quartz processing. While the exact scope of the project—including the location of the manufacturing facility, the scale of production, and the expected timeline for operations—was not disclosed, the initiative aligns with the goals of the CHIPS and Science Act. This act provides $39 billion in subsidies for chip manufacturing on U.S. soil, aiming to strengthen supply chain resilience and reduce reliance on foreign production.
Sources
- Lutnick announces investment to boost semiconductor production in North Carolina
- Lutnick announces investment to boost semiconductor production in North Carolina | Межа
- Lutnick announces investment to boost semiconductor production in North Carolina
Photo: Daniel Torok (Public domain)
