Local chip firms to get a boost from new $123m innovation centre

They will have access to advanced wafer fabrication, prototyping infrastructure

- Sarah Koh

A new $123 million facility that enables Singapore to produce advanced semiconductors for the designing of more compact and larger-capacity electronics and communications systems opened its doors on June 26 under an ambitious national plan.

The National Semiconductor Translation and Innovation Centre for Gallium Nitride - dubbed NSTIC (GaN) - at one-north is slated to start commercial services in mid-2026.

Speaking at the centre's launch, Minister-in-charge of Energy and Science & Technology Tan See Leng said the local semiconductor industry has the potential to be more competitive globally. It currently accounts for close to 6 per cent of Singapore's gross domestic product and employs about 35,000 people.

"With a surging demand for such systems, the global radio frequency gallium nitride device market is projected to double to over US$2.7 billion (S$3.4 billion) from 2022 to 2028," said Dr Tan, adding that the new centre aims to capture some of these opportunities.

Gallium nitride (GaN) can operate at higher voltages and generate less heat compared with traditional silicon. These properties allow for smaller and more energy-efficient devices crucial for the development of 5G and 6G communications and satellite systems, commonly used for autonomous vehicle navigation and remote surveillance.