Intel Foundry Secures Fortinet to Manufacture SP6 Security Chips

Intel has officially secured Fortinet as a customer for its foundry division, representing a tangible success in the company's effort to attract external clients. Under the terms of the agreement, Fortinet plans to utilize Intel’s manufacturing capabilities to produce its next-generation SP6 security processor. This deal is particularly significant for Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan, who assumed his role in March 2025 and has been tasked with transforming the company’s manufacturing arm into a competitive third-party service provider. While the deal does not involve Intel’s most cutting-edge nodes, such as the 14A or 18A technologies, it provides a functional validation of Intel’s manufacturing infrastructure for Application-Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs).

The production of the SP6 chip is slated for the Intel 4 manufacturing process. This specific process node is categorized as an established technology within Intel’s portfolio rather than its most advanced experimental or high-performance platform. Intel 4 is designed primarily for the creation of networking-focused ASICs, which differ from the high-density processors required for general computing or AI training. By leveraging this node, Fortinet aims to sustain the performance of its firewall and security hardware. The reliance on established manufacturing technology reflects a practical approach to hardware production, ensuring that security appliances can be manufactured with reliability while Intel continues to scale its more complex technological offerings for other high-volume clients.

The foundry market is intensely competitive, and Intel has faced pressure to prove it can accommodate third-party designers beyond its own internal production needs. Intel’s leadership has been transparent about its search for high-volume customers who can justify the massive capital expenditures required to operate advanced manufacturing facilities globally. Despite previous announcements regarding partnerships with giants like Microsoft and Amazon, those deals were centered on relatively low-volume output. The company remains under scrutiny from investors who require evidence that Intel’s manufacturing pivot can yield sustained profitability. The partnership with Fortinet, a leader in the booming cybersecurity sector, suggests that Intel is successfully diversifying its client base by capturing demand in niche yet critical fields that require specialized, custom silicon.

Intel’s trajectory over the past year has been marked by significant shifts, including a 10% stake acquisition by the U.S. government in August. This development, coupled with various strategic alliances, contributed to a stock price surge exceeding 300% over the last twelve months. The firm has previously collaborated on infrastructure-focused chips with Google and provided support for specialized factory construction projects for Tesla and SpaceX. While reports from government officials suggest potential deals with major firms like Apple, these have not been confirmed by the involved companies. As Intel prepares to report its second-quarter earnings, the Fortinet deal provides a necessary proof point for the company’s foundry division, which currently relies heavily on internal chip production and defense-related contracts for its manufacturing capacity.