Semiconductor equipment and services company Applied Materials, Inc. to start operations in Costa Rica in 2025

• PROCOMER attracts multinationals to evaluate the country as part of the Semiconductor Roadmap and the CHIPS Act.

• The company will open its Global Services Office in Heredia to optimize processes in microprocessor manufacturing, advanced visualization technologies, and advanced packaging.

California, October 15, 2024. During President Rodrigo Chaves’ visit to Silicon Valley, the leading U.S. semiconductor multinational, Applied Materials, Inc., announced that it has chosen Costa Rica to establish its Global Services Office (GBS) in Heredia starting in 2025. This decision aims to strengthen its capabilities in key areas for industry, such as supply chain and procurement.

This new operation will be the company’s first in Latin America and is part of its global expansion strategy. Additionally, it is expected to generate approximately 100 jobs in its initial phase, with the possibility of increasing that number in the coming years.

“When we said we would bring more of the world to Costa Rica and take more of Costa Rica to the world, we aimed high; we are working to become the United States’ top partner as a strategic ally in global value chains and to expand the semiconductor ecosystem. In March, we launched our roadmap, and today, from Silicon Valley, we announce the arrival of one of the most important suppliers in the industry, Applied Materials, to the country, and we are aiming for more. That is why we are here, seeking new opportunities for employment and investment for our Costa Rica,” said the President of Costa Rica, Rodrigo Chaves.

“We are honored to confirm the Applied Materials investment in Costa Rica, a leading supplier in the semiconductor industry that has chosen our country to establish its first professional services operation in Latin America. This announcement comes just 7 months after the launch of the semiconductor roadmap, aimed to position our country as regional hub for this industry,” said the Minister of Foreign Trade, Manuel Tovar.

For her part, Laura López, CEO of the Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (PROCOMER), stated that, “the arrival of Applied Materials in Costa Rica is unequivocal proof of the strength of our country’s value proposition for attracting leading companies in innovation and technology. The establishment of the new Global Services Office will bring invaluable opportunities for growth and development, benefiting both the local industry and Costa Rican talent”.

Applied Materials chose the country due to its solid infrastructure, proximity to strategic locations for the company, specialized human talent, and the incentives available under the Free Trade Zone (FTZ) regime. Additionally, they are interested in exploring the benefits provided by the CHIPS and Science Act signed by the U.S. government in 2022.

During the President’s visit, accompanied by representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Trade (COMEX), the Ministry of Science, Innovation, Technology, and Telecommunications (MICITT), and PROCOMER, the company held discussions to identify programs that strengthen the development of human capital in key areas such as engineering, technology, and sustainability.

“Costa Rica represents an exciting new chapter for Applied Materials’ supply chain operations,” said Dr. Paul Chhabra, Corporate Vice President of Global Supply Chain at Applied Materials. “As Applied expands into the Latin America region, Costa Rica provides a strong foundation for growth, thanks to a great combination of geographic proximity, economic stability, skilled talent and investment-friendly environment. “We are grateful to the Ministry of Trade, PROCOMER, the Office of the U.S. Ambassador, and several local providers for their tremendous support. We look forward to starting operations in 2025 and to many years of success in Costa Rica.”

Applied Materials offers specialized services in process optimization for semiconductor manufacturing, advanced visualization technologies such as OLED and LCD displays, and advanced packaging to enhance product performance. Additionally, it focuses on innovative materials engineering and promotes sustainable practices in its production chain.

This new operation, which seeks to establish a long-term presence in the country, represents a significant opportunity to enhance the capabilities of the Costa Rican sector in advanced technology and semiconductor manufacturing.

About Applied Materials

Founded in 1967 and headquartered in Santa Clara, California, Applied Materials, Inc. (AMAT) is a global company specializing in materials engineering solutions for semiconductor manufacturing and visualization technologies. Although its headquarters is in the United States, AMAT operates in numerous countries, including Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Ireland, Israel, Japan, and South Korea, among others.