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Intricon recently announced plans to open a facility in Costa Rica dedicated to the R&D and manufacturing of medical devices that incorporate microelectronics, biosensors, and electromagnetic navigation (EMN) sensors. The facility will have advanced circuit board and surface-mount assembly, custom molding, device assembly, and packaging.

“Companies need the increased capacity and deep expertise Intricon brings to help them meet the growing demand for sensor-driven devices as non-invasive, data-driven healthcare becomes a reality,” said Scott Longval, Intricon chief executive officer, in a press release announcing the facility. “When it comes to these devices, Intricon has done it all and seen it all, so we can reduce and eliminate risk while accelerating commercialization.”

The facility will be in the Evolution Free Zone, located in Grecia — Costa Rica’s extension to its medical device infrastructure. It is scheduled to open in 2024 and will be 35,000 square feet with adjacent options to grow to over 150,000 square feet. The addition of the new facility will grow Intricon’s global footprint to 280,000 square feet across seven locations in four countries.

So far, the company has hired Jorge Herrera, site manager, to lead the design and construction of the site and Sofia Varas, business development manager, who joins Intricon from CINDE, the private investment promotion agency of Costa Rica that helped the company when choosing a development site. The new facility is expected to eventually employ up to 150 people, some of which will be added in the second half of 2024.

Of note, it was announced in July that the US, where Intricon is based, and Costa Rica entered a partnership through the Chips Act, intended to boost domestic manufacturing and improved semiconductor supply chain resiliency, according a release from The White House. The partnership begins with a review of Costa Rica’s current semiconductor industry development, regulatory framework, and workforce and infrastructure needs. The reviews outcome will inform future collaboration and development with the country, like medical device manufacturing that incorporate microelectronics.

“We applaud the decision of the United States to support the Costa Rican semiconductor sector through the Chips and Science Act,” said Costa Rican president Rodrigo Chaves, in a statement from the US Embassy in Costa Rica. “It is a recognition of our leadership as a trusted supplier and our position as a great site for the development of new operations in this sector. Costa Rica, under the coordination of the Ministry of Foreign Trade, will step up its efforts to enhance our capabilities to face the growing demands of the industry with better infrastructure and talent. The semiconductor supply chain represents a distinct opportunity for inclusive economic growth and job creation. Costa Rica is open for businesses and to strengthening the private sector who invest in our country. Also, we believe that this is a manifestation of the strong relationship between the US and Costa Rica.”