CSA Catapult calls for UK semiconductor super-cluster, and money to build it

The UK’s CSA Catapult – the compound semiconductor technology transfer organisation – is calling for the creation of a national semiconductor super-cluster.

“There are over 200 dedicated semiconductor companies in the UK, who collectively generate £9.6 bn in revenues and employ 15,000 people,” said CEO Martin McHugh (pictured). “Clusters of expertise are in South Wales, the South West, Cambridge, the North East, Northern Ireland and Scotland. However, the industry lacks a single, independent, unified voice to bring these clusters together, promote the sector and attract international investment. That is why we’re calling for the creation of a National Semiconductor Institute to strengthen, lead and co-ordinate targeted activity across the UK.”

It wants semiconductors to be recognised as a sub-sector of the UK industrial strategy, and for the proposed Institute to grow existing semiconductor clusters in the UK and “unleash the full potential of our cities and regions”, it said.

To fuel that growth , it wants a £305m Semiconductor Challenge Fund.

“This would include a £150m investment in regional projects such as a UK Centre of Excellence for quantum photonic integrated circuits and a centre for AI-powered electronics, photonics, quantum and design automation,” according to CSA Catapult. “Our recommendations include investment in compound semiconductor manufacturing and infrastructure, specifically open access fabrication fabs specialising in SiC, GaN and GaAs will remove commercialisation and scale-up barriers for start-ups and SMEs and allow them to grow quickly and efficiently.”

As background to the announcement of its plan, the Catapult pointed out that, earlier this month, the EU invested €170m in 27 Chips Competence Centres, and the US government directing $39bn of subsidies at its semiconductor industry.

CSA Catapult’s full UK industrial strategy recommendations can be read here.