STMicro (STM) Weighs Crolles Fab Expansion as AI Optics Demand Rises, CEO Says

STMicroelectronics is likely to decide on expanding its Crolles, France, chipmaking site by the end of 2026 as demand for silicon photonics used in AI data centers accelerates, CEO Jean-Marc Chery said on Tuesday, June 2, 2026. Speaking at a BNP Paribas conference in Geneva, Chery said the industry’s expected shift to near-package optics—where optical engines sit closer to processors—will require a capacity decision. No financial details were disclosed.