Hi-tech hub could see thousands of new jobs created
new and emerging technologies such as driverless and autonomous vehicles and in healthcare technologies.
As a result analysts forecast that the global market for compound semiconductors is projected to reach £100bn by 2025 and more than £245bn by 2030 – three times the growth rate of silicon.
The cluster was the brainchild of Dr Drew Nelson, chief executive of IQE, a leading manufacturer of advanced semiconducter wafer products, which is headquartered in Cardiff.
The £43m SIPF investment includes four key collaborative research and development projects, one of which will be led by IQE, with it playing a key role in the others.
Dr Nelson said: “The UK has a huge opportunity to put hi-tech manufacturing at the heart of its industrial strategy and supercharge economic growth. The UK leads the world in the design and manufacturing of compound semiconductor wafers.
“This funding from the UK Government is welcome and serves as recognition of the potential of the cluster, which remains the world’s first for compound semiconductors, and will be crucial in helping the UK to fulfil its technology potential.
“Compound semiconductors are the most advanced semiconductor materials available, with a range of unique properties, and will be at the heart of almost every major industrial sector of the 21st century.”
Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Alok Sharma said: “This announcement will ensure some of our country’s most promising R&D projects get the investment they need to take off and thrive.
“Working with the private sector and our world-class universities, we’re backing new and innovative ideas that will create jobs and boost skills in every part of the UK for years to come.”
Lead author of the SIPF bid application Dr Wyn Meredith, director of Compound Semiconductor Centre – a joint venture between Cardiff University and IQE – said: “The announcement is fantastic news for Wales and the UK, providing a unique opportunity to harness the excellent research and innovation capabilities in a way that translates into world-class UKbased manufacturing for new and emerging global technology markets.”
Cardiff University is currently building a new centre to innovate CS (compound semiconductor) technologies. The Translational Research Facility will be home to state-of-the-art facilities that will allow academics to work alongside industry to develop, test and manufacture CS devices.
Vice-chancellor of Cardiff University Colin Riordan said: “The Strength in Places funding will help CSconnected bring together combined public and private sector investment to build the CSconnected and wider supply chain, grow new companies and create high-value jobs, innovation programmes and investment in skills that can help the region recover its strength after the Covid-19 pandemic.”
Secretary of State for Wales Simon Hart said: “The £44m investment in the Cardiff University-led project will boost the incredible research that is already taking place in this field across south-east Wales.
“Investing in this emerging technology will enable us to create a lasting engineering and manufacturing legacy in Wales, generating high-skilled jobs.”