Spain is betting its future in the semiconductor industry on a single card: gallium chips
Spain is making a strategic bet on the future of its semiconductor industry by focusing on gallium-based chips. The initiative, spearheaded by SPARC Foundry in collaboration with Indra, aims to establish a next-generation photonics semiconductor factory. This move positions Spain to compete in a high-tech sector currently dominated by global leaders, offering an alternative to traditional silicon-based manufacturing. The planned facility, located in Vigo's Parque Tecnológico de Valadares, will specialize in manufacturing photonic chips using materials like gallium arsenide (GaAs) and gallium nitride (GaN). These advanced chips utilize photons for information processing and transmission, offering significant advantages in speed and efficiency. The factory is slated to begin operations in the first half of 2027, with an eventual capacity of 20,000 wafers annually. This development is crucial for several key sectors, including telecommunications, defense, automotive, consumer electronics, quantum computing, and aerospace. By focusing on compound semiconductors with superior electron mobility and saturation velocity compared to silicon, Spain aims to carve out a niche in advanced chip production. The project, named GIGaNTE, reflects the ambition to build a robust European capability in this critical technological domain, fostering digital sovereignty.
Curated and translated by Europe Digital for our multilingual European audience.
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