The move comes as no surprise, as ATIC have made it clear earlier this month that Globalfoundries is to undergo a major expansion. This might be the first formal step towards that goal. According to the Albany Times Union, the new plant would be about one-and-a-half times larger than the one currently being constructed in Malta. Globalfoundries is said to be seeking financial assistance as well.
However, Globalfoundries has never officially confirmed that it plans to construct a second plant in Malta. "We'd have to treat that as rumor," said spokesman Travis Bullard. "We're always looking at potential new facilities and potential plans. But we don't have any to announce."
Although GF is not about to make its plans public and confirm the rumours, it is possible that paperwork for the new fab is already being processed.
More here.
Update:
This morning Globalfoundries informed us that it has not formally filed for a building permit or started a site plan for the rumoured plant. As previously stated by Mr Bullard, the company is not commenting rumours of a new fab.