+44 (0)24 7671 8970
More publications     •     Advertise with us     •     Contact us
 
News Article

World's first compound semiconductor cluster deal - signed and sealed

News

Deal seeks to position the region as the global leader in compound semiconductor-enabled applications, which was initiated by a £12 million investment from the Welsh Government

IQE, a maker of advanced wafer products and services, is hosting an historic signing ceremony between Cardiff Capital Region City Deal, Welsh and UK Governments and IQE plc, to ratify the development of the Compound Semiconductor Foundry, which will support the development of the CS Connected Cluster.

The CS Connected Cluster unites international businesses, policymakers and academics who are building next-generation technology that can position Wales as a world-leader.

The foundry in Newport will be owned by the ten Councils in the Regional Cabinet under the special purpose vehicle "˜CSC Foundry Limited' / "˜LDC Ffowndri' and the space leased to IQE plc for compound semiconductor manufacturing and applications development, helping the establishment of the world's first Compound Semiconductor Cluster, CS connected, in the region.

The foundry project is a commercial investment with ownership of the foundry shared between the ten Councils. The proposal seeks to return the original investment plus interest over the life of the project.

The signing followed an agreement in May 2017 by the Cardiff Capital Region (CCR) Regional Cabinet to contribute £37.9 million from the CCR City Deal's Wider Investment Fund towards the establishment of a state of the art foundry, as an anchor in the region for high-end production of compound semiconductors.

The aim being to support the development of a compound Semiconductor Industrial cluster in the region, with the potential to: lever £375m of private sector investment; create up to 2,000 high skilled jobs; return the investment for use on other regional schemes; and to create hundreds more jobs in the wider supply chain cluster

It is the first such investment since the £1.2 billion CCR City Deal programme was formally signed on March 1st 2017 by the leaders of the ten local authorities in the region. The CCR City Deal seeks to position the region as the global leader in compound semiconductor-enabled applications, which was initiated by a £12 million investment from the Welsh Government.

In 2016, Innovate UK "“ the UK Government's innovation agency "“ announced a £50million investment to establish a new Compound Semiconductor Applications Catapult in South-East Wales. This new Catapult will build on existing investment by Cardiff University, IQE, and Welsh Government.

The project was formally confirmed in a signing ceremony at IQE's headquarters in Cardiff by Secretary of State for Wales, The Right Hon. Alun Cairns MP, Welsh Economy and Infrastructure Secretary Ken Skates, CSC Foundry directors Councillors Bob Greenland (Monmouthshire) and Andrew Barry (Merthyr), and IQE chief executive Drew Nelson.

Councillor Peter Fox, Leader of Monmouthshire County Council, and Deputy Chair of the CCR City Deal Regional Cabinet, said: "The objective of this commitment is to create a complete compound semiconductor eco-system in South Wales to take advantage of the growing prominence of compound semiconductor technologies.

"The opportunity this investment creates, to help the establishment of the world's first compound semiconductor cluster in South East Wales, should not be underestimated.

"It has the potential to place our region at the heart of this cutting edge sector and will require the development and integration of a compound semiconductor supply chain in South Wales, with the economic and social benefits that will bring.

Secretary of State for Wales Alun Cairns said: "Compound semiconductors are at the heart of many devices we use today, from smart phones to tablets and satellite communication systems. It is an area of UK strength and today's confirmation of the development of a cluster of excellence in Wales reinforces our own strong position in the growth of this important and growing technology.

"Of course, government does not create innovation, but it can be a catalyst to getting the scientists and engineers, the designers and the entrepreneurs together to make it happen.

"This collaboration is important because innovation is a shared endeavour and I look forward to seeing the cluster take shape and create a lasting engineering and manufacturing legacy in Wales."

Economy Secretary Ken Skates said: "It is hugely encouraging that Welsh Government's initial £12m investment in developing the cluster back in 2015 has been the catalyst for today's announcement that IQE plans to expand into the City Deal's new facilities. Not only is it extremely exciting news for the Welsh economy, securing additional jobs and investment, but it further cements Wales as a world leader in this state of the art technology.

"With the world's first compound semiconductor cluster located here in South East Wales, we are punching well above our weight in developing technology which not only plays an increasingly vital role in the way we live our lives today but will drive innovation which will shape the world we live in tomorrow."

Drew Nelson, CEO of IQE plc said: "Compound semiconductors are rapidly defining 21 century technologies and Wales is uniquely positioned to be centre stage of this global, high-tech industry sector.

"This dedicated compound semiconductor facility between Cardiff and Newport will act as a key component of the burgeoning cluster that is already cementing Wales' reputation for technology leadership.

"The initiative is a shining example of what can be achieved through collaboration. The Welsh and UK governments, along with the ten councils that form the Cardiff Capital Region, have worked closely with academic institutes and industry to build an innovation infrastructure that will support and nurture the region as a true global player in new and emerging technologies.

"The facility will become the base for a number of compound semiconductor related activities, including IQE, where we expect to rapidly expand our production capacity to meet increasing demand for our technology."

×
Search the news archive

To close this popup you can press escape or click the close icon.
×
Logo
×
Register - Step 1

You may choose to subscribe to the Compound Semiconductor Magazine, the Compound Semiconductor Newsletter, or both. You may also request additional information if required, before submitting your application.


Please subscribe me to:

 

You chose the industry type of "Other"

Please enter the industry that you work in:
Please enter the industry that you work in: